After 62 games over nearly a month, it’s time for the showpiece Qatar 2022 final.
It’s a tantalizing showdown with plenty of pregame intrigue.
France are the first champions to reach the final in two decades, while Argentina are aiming for a third title. According to the latest FIFA rankings, The Albiceleste is #3 while Blues are #4.
Players to watch:
The match gives the 35-year-old one last chance Lionel Messi to achieve his lifelong dream of guiding Argentina to their third world title.
The magical Messi cast his spell over opposing teams at Qatar 2022, including a sublime assist to score his side’s first goal against the Netherlands on December 9, then a penalty and assist against Croatia in the semi-finals. final on December 13.
Along the way, Messi was ably assisted by the striker Julian Alvarezwho scored two of three goals to top Croatia, and midfielder Alexis MacAllister.
Goalkeeper Emily Martinez also endeared himself to Argentina fans with two saves in the penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
In Messi’s path is his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappeas France look to win back-to-back World Cup trophies.
Mbappé is tied with Messi as the tournament’s top scorer and will do his best to derail Argentina, as France appear to have the most complete squad in the tournament.
Antoine Griezmann provided much of France’s creative force, while also helping defensively. The Atletico Madrid star was instrumental in France’s win over England, crossing superbly to Olivier Giroud to drive home the winner for France in a 2-1 quarter-final win.
Like Griezmann, the 36-year-old Giroud enjoyed a renaissance in this World Cup after failing to score a single goal in 2018.
But at Qatar 2022, the AC Milan striker scored four World Cup goals – just one behind Mbappé – and became France’s all-time top scorer.
