Argentina
and France will face-off in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at Lusail stadium
in Qatar.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France: Head-to-head, stats, predicted lineups, formations
After 35
days and 62 matches, Les Bleus and Albicelestes are the last two sides in
contention for the throne and will fight it out in front of nearly 89,000
people on a satiating Sunday. The French are looking to emulate a 60 –year-old
record by Brazil of defending their World title while Argentina are looking
forward to the perfect swansong to Lionel Messi. Both sides are seeking to score a third World Cup victory
Also read: Who is Raphaël Varane?
We now have
a look at the five most interesting aspects of the final
1. Messi’s last dance – With Lionel
Messi having said that Sunday’s spectacle is his last for Argentina in a World
Cup, football fans across the globe have lined up for what is likely to be the
PSG star’s ‘last dance’ (A reference to a 2020 documentary on basketball legend
Michael Jordan). The 35-year-old legend has hardly looked his age, playing with
the grace and touch reminiscent of his peak and is the tournament’s top
goal-scorer with five goals and has five assists. A World Cup victory could be
the perfect capping off for a terrific career and the only feather missing in
his cap.
Also read: France can become the third nation to lift two consecutive FIFA World Cups. Who are the other two?
2. Messi vs Mbappe – The match will be
Messi vs Mbappe in many ways. While primarily it concerns the two forwards in
sublime touch who are seeking to help their country past the finish line, it
will also be a clear contest for the golden boot, with both of them tied at
first with 5 goals each. It may also be seen as a generational battle with
Messi in his swansong while Mbappe has much of his career ahead of him.
Also read: Emmanuel Macron at Al Bayt for France vs Morocco FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-final: Watch
3. On the cusp of history – Defending champions
France seek to become only the third side in football history to lift to
back-to-back World Cup trophies with Pele’s Brazil doing it in 1958 and 62 while Italy achieved the same in 1934 and 38. With strikers Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud in top form and Ballon d’Or
Karim Benzema cleared to play the finals, the Frence have a definite chance
change a six decade old pattern.
4. When the cats are away the mice will
play – Both Argentina and France have distinguished themselves as two of the
most lethal aggressive forces in the event making up for 26 goals of the event
amongst themselves. However, both teams have looked vulnerable on defence as
France waited till the semis to see their first victory where the opponent did
not score. Sunday promises to be a riveting final with big chances of a high-scoring
fight.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina’s 3-0 drubbing of Croatia their best-ever knockout performance
5. Lloris vs Martinez – All the four
teams in the semi-finals have had keepers who have risen to the occasion. While
Martinez’s golden performance was in the quarter-final affair with the dutch,
skipper Hugo Lloris was impressive against Morocco too. While Lloris seeks to
become the first captain to lift two World Cups, Martinez will once again try
to rise to the occasion and ease the pressure of Messi and his attacking
brigade.
