C T Online Desk: One final time.
After 28 days of relentless football, World Cup 2022 has come to its end.
In the 64th and final game of the tournament, Argentina and France will face each other in a high-voltage affair at Lusail Iconic Stadium Sunday.
Despite starting the event under heavy criticism for human rights violation and anti-LGBTQ laws, Qatar produced a gem of a tournament both on and of the field once the ball got rolling.
The group-stage saw many surprises and then settled down with time, and finally, the two best teams are now waiting to play for one last occasion.
Both the two-time world champions Argentina and France have had different stories in this World Cup.
Entering Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten run, including winning 2021 Copa America in Brazil to end their 28-year trophy drought, Lionel Scaloni’s charges suffered a reality check by outsiders Saudi Arabia in the very first match which turned the group stage into knockout scenario.
With their backs against the wall, Lionel Messi, in his last shot at the World Cup, took over matters in his hands and guided Argentina past one hurdle after another to reach the ultimate destination – the final, from where he had to return empty-handed eight years ago.
Now, at 35 years of age, La Pulga has already scored five goals and assisted thrice.
The two non-penalty goals against Mexico and Australia were sublime, but the two assists against the Netherlands and Croatia in the final two games created more hype even compared to his own high standards.
As Messi has changed his playing style, starting from deeper area, France midfield led by Aurelien Tchouameni will surely have to bring out their A game to keep his impact low so that their defenders can avoid one-on-one situations.
Though every other opponent earlier played in same formula and somewhat failed, France, banking on their experience, can take inspiration from their last World Cup meeting when Les Bleus sent the Albiceleste crashing out of the tournament in the last 16.
Kylian Mbappe was the star of that affair who not only scored twice but did it in empathic fashion, tearing up the opposition defense in a matter of five minutes.
As pace is key for the Paris Saint Germain star, Argentina’s whole right side will have to be cautious about his threat.
In the last two games against England and then Morocco, Kyle Walker and Achraf Hakimi were really good in neutralizing Mbappe, but one single lapse of concentration by the Moroccan star was enough for his clubmate to assist for the second goal.
Rodrigo De Paul and right-back Nahuel Molina will take the charge this time for Argentina with the help of consistent performer in the defence, Nicolas Otamendi, to stop Mbappe.
The current champions have had a decent World Cup, despite losing to Tunisia in the third group stage match when Didier Deschamps experimented with his line-up after getting confirmation about their advancement.
France were clinical against Poland and England and then they ended Morocco’s fairytale run in front of their passionate supporters.
Deschamps, the third individual to win the World Cup as player and coach after Mario Zagallo for Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer for Germany, has now guided his charges to back-to-back finals.
They are aiming to become the third side in history to clinch consecutive World Cups after Italy (1934-38) and Brazil (1958-62).
Both Messi and Mbappe are well placed for the Golden Boot race with five goals each and expected to light up the final.
Messi though is leading the race for another Golden Ball.
But football is a team game and beyond these two PSG stars, anyone on the field can influence the result.
Antoine Griezmann is arguably the best performer for France, and he will be key in midfield.
Olivier Giroud with four goals is also in contention for the Golden Boot, matched by breakthrough star Julian Alvarez – not a favorite to play in the XI initially – who had a wonderful tournament to support Argentina and help Messi take their side to the final.
It was evident that Argentina have the most cheerful and vibrant fans in the tournament, followed by those of Morocco, and in every game the Albiceleste played, almost three-fourth of the crowd were cheering continuously for Messi and his men.
France, who will have the first-hand support of their president Emmanuel Macron like last time, know the situation very well and are focused only on the 11 Argentina players on the field.
But the overriding feeling among majority of football fans all over the world is that megastar Messi deserves the perfect sendoff, with the World Cup trophy in his hands the cherry on the cake in what has been a stellar playing career.
Whatever happens this coming Sunday night, let’s enjoy for one final time perhaps the greatest World Cup in recent times.
