Qatar all set to host historic final

Albiceleste face formidable France challenge in FIFA World Cup final today

Vinay Nayudu | NT

Doha, Qatar: The clash between favourites France and co-favourites Argentina has all the makings of a classic as the two best sides of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 square up for a challenging final at the 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium here on Sunday night.

With Lionel Messi leading the torch for the Albiceleste, and Kylian Mbappe for France, the contest has assumed phenomenal proportions with the former being buoyed by huge fan support in Qatar besides the millions back home and from the rest of the world waiting for Messi’s 'Maradona moment'.

Yet, heavyweight France aim to overcome their opponents in quest of a second successive World Cup title not achieved by any team since Brazil did so in 1962. Termed as the champions’ curse, something the Les Bleus will look to destroy the ‘belief ’.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for both Argentina and France since the tournament began a month ago. The 1978 and 1986 champions Argentina were dealt with a huge 2-1 shock by Saudi Arabia in their opening match before they regrouped and Messi emerged to lead the charge.

Playing in his fifth World Cup, Messi has since scored in every game in this tournament to reach a record of 11 in 25 World Cup matches. France, who began solidly at the start of Qatar 2022, lost 0-1 to Tunisia before bulldozing their way ahead and into the final.

Yet, that’s all a matter of the past now given the momentum that has been gained by the two heavyweight teams now eager to battle it out in a historic final. It will be the last time that Messi will be playing at a World Cup, while Mbappe who saw France lift the Cup in Russia in 2018 as a 19-year-old, would step into the legendary shoes of Pele if he guides his team to another trophy.

There’s a tremendous world drive for Messi to be fulfilling his dream and for Argentina to see him emulate the charismatic Diego Maradona. Also, there is such great focus on both Messi and Mbappe that many of the other stars of each of the teams are quietly preparing in the shadow – though anyone could emerge as a hero.

France though, have more worries with a viral bug having spread through their camp the last two days but coach Dider Deschamps said he will only be working with the 24 players currently in the squad, full-back Lucas Hernandez having been injured in the group-stage win over Australia.

Deschamps comments also came when he shot down suggestions that previously injured Karim Benzema may be flown in for the final. A discreet silence could be heard as the rival coaches chose to tread along the usual lines, saying “it’s a contest between Argentina and France and between two teams"

“Tomorrow it’s Argentina against France, not Lionel Messi against Kylian Mbappe,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said at the pre-match conference on Saturday. “It’s about collective effort, not individual. Every player will have a chance to leave a mark.”

On a possible penalty shootout scenario, Scaloni said, “We will try to avoid the shootout, but if it comes to this, we will try to choose the best penalty takers.” And about Messi, he said: “We hope that he can lift the trophy in his last match.” Deschamps said his camp was trying its best to deal with the players’ illness.

“Of course we would prefer not to have these difficulties, but we are trying to manage them as good as possible with the help of our doctors,” he said. Captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris added: “You’re never really prepared for that type of thing, but we are trying to get ready for this match the best we can ... and of course we are very excited to play in a World Cup final.”

Both of them also chose to steer clear of Messi talk: “Of course we know what Messi means for the history of football, but it is a match between Argentina and France. The match is too big to focus on one player alone,” Lloris said. But the cacophony and unstoppable cheering the Argentina fans bring to the stadium is also a factor that can unnerve the opposition.

“They will create a positive atmosphere and will be behind their team. It is good to have such an atmosphere in a World Cup final,” said Descahmps but insisted: “Our opponents are not in the stands but on the pitch.” For the record, Argentina will be playing their sixth World Cup final, and France their fourth.

They have played each other three times in the World Cup, last meeting in Russia in 2018 when France won 4-3 in the round of 16. Argentina won the first two meetings in 1930 and 1978. Then again, Messi perhaps wasn’t seen in the blazing form