Sherifdeen Olamilekan writes,
The 2022 World Cup dawned gloriously in Qatar on November 20, 2022 with the 32 qualified countries having been seeded into 8 groups of four teams. The competition began with the host nation, Qatar, facing Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. In history, since host nations started kicking off the tournament in 2006, no hosts have lost the opening match until Qatar. But that was just the opening drama.
After episodes of tears, laughter, defeats, drama and qualifications over the past 23 days, it’s now safe to say that the whole thing is coming to end today with only two teams left to fight for the ultimate honour – Argentina and France.
At 4pm today, the world will split into two nations as football enthusiasts become either French or Argentine, burning with the passion for their side and pining with curiosity over their fate. Expectedlly, there is more than enough to anticipate.
However, falling back on history, today’s World Cup final will be the thirteenth time France and Argentina will meet in men’s international soccer. In their twelve previous meetings, three of which ended as draws, France have only won thrice, while Argentina has been victorious on six occasions. So, in some way, history favours Messi’s Argentina.
Four years ago, when Russia hosted the last edition of the tournament, Mbappe scored twice, and Messi recorded two assists as France beat Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16. Today’s game is widely perceived as a battle between the two superstars as they ferry their respective countrymen into starlight this evening.
The excitement is limitless as the matchday, which will bloom at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, is more iconic as today is the country’s national day.
With this world cup being the twenty-second edition of the men’s competition, France have won the title twice, in 1998 and 2018. Argentina, on the other hand, has also secured the trophy two times, in 1978 and 1986.
The question now, is; who will secure their third World Cup trophy today—Argentina or France?
Which team are you also rooting for?