The Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar will witness the biggest football event of the year on December 18 ( 8:30 pm onwards IST) when France will take Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final. Kylian Mbappe’s France will be playing consecutive FIFA World Cup final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
France is looking to become the first country to successfully defend its World Cup title in 60 years and Didier Deschamps the first coach to guide his team to back-to-back championships since 1938. Last time (2018), it was Luka Modric’s Croatia and this time, it looks like seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi along with teammates standing in the way of Les Blues.
Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten streak was broken by Saudi Arabia in the first match of Messi and co in the Qatar tournament. However, they bounced back in spectacular fashion and now are just one win away from becoming the World Champions. In order to become the champions, Argentina have to beat the current holders who are eyeing historic consecutive World Cup wins for their country. Notably, no other nation has played more FIFA World Cup finals than France now in the last 24 years.
Dial M for Greatness. Mbappe and Messi, who are at their best right now, will take on each other in the final of the Qatar World Cup 2022 tonight at Lusail Stadium. Messi is on cusp of international retirement, Mbappe is being hailed as the next greatest modern-day player in the sport. It would be an exciting clash to see who comes on top at the end of the night.
Apart from Messi and Mbappe, WATCH OUT FOR JERSEY Nos:
Ousmane Dembele: France, Jersey Number 11. The Barcelona winger has been absolutely electric at the World Cup, causing fullbacks numerous problems with his close control, bursts of speed and ability to play with both feet. The 25-year-old looks threatening every time the ball is played to his feet and has the ability to either beat his man down the wing or cut inside to change the angle of attack.
Olivier Giroud: France, Jersey Number 9. Giroud became France’s all-time record goal scorer during the ongoing World Cup where he took his tally up to 53 goals for Les Bleus going past Theirry Henry’s previous record of 51 goals. Giroud notoriously won the World Cup in 2018 without registering a single shot on target but was a mainstay for Deschamps team with his ability to link play and create space for his fellow forwards. This time, Giroud owes his spot to an injury suffered by first-choice Karim Benzema but once again the striker has gone about his business in stellar fashion netting four goals so far in Qatar.
Marcos Acuna: Argentina, Jersey Number 8. The Sevilla left-back has impressed during the World Cup, playing a big role in Argentina getting to the semi-final stage. However, Acuna missed the semi-final clash against Croatia after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament. He is expected to for the Final.
Alexis Mac Allister: Argentina, Jersey Number 20. The 23-year-old Brighton midfielder did not feature as Argentina suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game but he benefited from the reshuffle that came post that game, holding down his spot ever since. Mac Allister is another workman-like player who provides the perfect support for Messi as a midfield runner.
Julian Alvarez: Argentina, Jersey Number 9. The Manchester City forward became the youngest player since the legendary Pele to score a brace in a World Cup semi-final and has four goals in his first-ever World Cup. Alvarez is a versatile forward, who can play anywhere across the frontline. What makes him lethal is his lightning-quick speed, while also possessing graceful control, which often sees him convert even awkward chances with ease.
Rodrigo de Paul: Argentina, Jersey Number 7. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is a vital cog in Argentina’s engine room and is nicknamed Messi’s ‘bodyguard’ both on and off the pitch. De Paul is a box-to-box midfielder and the 28-year-old is the only midfielder to have started every single game for Argentina in Qatar. De Paul is one of the most hardworking midfielders in Qatar having won possession in the middle third more than anyone else (24) and also helping recycle the ball with the second-most passes for Argentina (433), highlighting his significance in the South American side.
Enzo Fernandez: Argentina, Jersey Number 24. The 21-year-old central midfielder has been a stand-out performer at the World Cup, scoring a beautiful curler in his team’s crucial group stage victory over Mexico and playing every minute in the knockout rounds for Lionel Scaloni’s side. Fernandez has caused numerous clubs to stand up and take notice with his energetic displays in the middle of the park and a move away from Benfica looks certain in the near future for the promising youngster.
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