World Cup: Final Preview
This article will preview the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final
We'll also explore what has been a remarkable few
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has flown by. Wedged into the middle of the European club season, it has had to. It's hard to believe that the tournament began 26 days ago, yet so much has transpired in that time, including reducing down a field of 32 to just France and Argentina, who will meet in the final.
Many would have expected France to be here. Argentina having suffered an upset to Saudi Arabia in their opening game so their rally to reach a second World Cup final in eight years is more of a surprise. However, when you have Lionel Messi, can you ever really be surprised to be in contention for a major trophy?
Messi v Mbappe
This is maybe the greatest individual matchup we have ever had in a World Cup final. Two world-class superstars. The fact they are club teammates at PSG as well only adds to the drama.
For Messi, it would be the perfect fairy-tale ending for a World Cup journey that has, thus far, been full of disappointments: from early exits to a final defeat in 2014 against Germany. Messi leading Argentina to their first title since 1986 would be the perfect way to end his international career.
For Mbappe, it would be another piece of history made. At 23 years old, he would become the second-youngest player, after Brazil legend Pele, to win back-to-back World Cups. Should he win the cup again, you'd have to arguing that the baton has been passed over regarding the next footballing icon.
Let's explore the highlights of the tournament
England triumph in Battle of Britain and send Wales home. Rashford and Foden capitalised on their starting roles to help England knock Wales out of the World Cup with a 3-0 win which also secured the top spot in Group B, setting up a last-16 tie with Senegal. England boss Gareth Southgate had been criticised since the disappointing goalless draw with USA about Foden's lack of game time in the tournament so far and the Manchester City forward showed what he can bring to this stage at the start of the second half. You can watch the highlights of that by clicking here. Rashford hits EMPHATIC double | Wales v England | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - YouTube
Morocco's run. Their run to the semi-final was memorable for everyone. One of their highlights came in the last 16. Achraf Hakimi made himself a hero with a cheeky chipped winning penalty as his country stunned Spain in a shootout after a goalless draw to reach their first-ever World Cup quarter-finals. The two teams played out a dramatic draw after two hours of football and Spain failed to convert any of their three penalties.
England 1 - 2 France. Football didn't come home for Christmas. England are out of a World Cup but, this time, it was in a desperately agonising quarter-final defeat. This time, more than any other time, and against the world champions France, it felt very different.
World Cup: England's journey comes to an end (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
