Argentina and France will play in the 2022 world cup final at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar, two of the sport’s most dependable recent performers. The tournament has produced a number of eye-catching upsets. Since Spain did it in 2010, this will be the fourth final in five with one or both teams competing, and for the first time since then, a team that lost a group game will win the competition.
Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match led many analysts and supporters to forecast an early exit for the 1978 and 1986 champions. However, motivated by Lionel Messi, they improved to defeat Mexico and Poland 2-0 in consecutive matches to get to the knockout rounds.
Alvarez and France’s Olivier Giroud are one goal behind Messi and Mbappe, who are now dominating the race for the golden boot with five goals each. In two of his earlier appearances against France, Messi scored or provided an assist. Messi has started the scoring in four of Argentina’s world cup 2022 games. Mbappe, 23, has scored nine goals in the world cup so far, including two goals against Argentina in 2018. If he stays healthy, he will eventually surpass Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals.
In each of their three knockout games, Argentina scored the first goal in the 34th or 35th minute.
Only Brazil and West Germany have advanced to three straight World Cup finals; France might do the same in 2026.
Which country—Argentina or France—wins the trophy tonight?
