After 28 days and 63 matches of pulsating, polarising football, one shade of blue will be adorned with gold at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Either, the light blue of Argentina, a team playing as much for one man as for an entire nation, will win their first World Cup since 1986, joining Spain as the only countries to become world champions after losing their tournament opener. Or, the dark blue of France, a team that knows how to seize their moments using the guile and the guts of footballing minimalism, will win their second consecutive World Cup, joining Italy (from the 1930s) and Brazil (from ’62) as the only countries to successfully defend their crown.
Before the action kicks off at 8.30pm IST, a glitzy closing ceremony will take centre-stage, starring Nora Fatehi, among others. Then, in a proud moment for India, Deepika Padukone will have the honour of unveiling the World Cup trophy, the most sought after prize in the beautiful game, which will be held aloft by either Lionel Messi or Hugo Lloris at the end of it all.
With the battle lines drawn, the narratives conceived and the eyes of the world transfixed on sport’s biggest occasion, My Kolkata identifies 10 things you should watch out for in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi or Mbappe, who will supply the magic quotient?
Kylian Mbappe got the better of Lionel Messi at the last World Cup in 2018
When Kylian Mbappe careened his way past a hapless Argentine defence in Kazan in 2018, it felt as if the torch had been passed onto him from the reluctant hands of a silent, sullen Messi. Four years later, we are very much in the Mbappe era, except that instead of succeeding the age of Messi, it has coincided with it. While Mbappe has played with an air of inevitability in Qatar, his pace as frightening as his sense of purpose, Messi has operated within his own halo of time, space and genius. His hips wriggling, his legs whirring, his mind slowing the game down as much as his body, only to suddenly accelerate, Messi has enjoyed the perfect swansong. At least until now. Should the fairytale continue, expect Messi to weave his magic through angled passes between France’s centre halves and wing-backs, or keep Father Time on hold when isolated one-on-one. As for Mbappe, transitions and counter-attacks are where he can be devastating, with or without a headstart. Teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, the two protagonists of the final are at opposite ends of their glorious footballing chapters. On the night of the final, only one will take charge of their own destiny, with the World Cup, the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball and even the Ballon d’Or up for grabs!
Will Argentina play with a back five?
Lionel Scaloni will have to make a big call regarding his team’s defensive shape before the final
Lionel Scaloni has a decision to make. Does he sit deep with a back five, including all three of his leading centre halves in Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Lisandro Martinez, and invite France on? Or does he retain the standard back four from the semi-final and attempt to dictate play? The risks are present in both scenarios. The former could see Argentina’s midfield, and by extension, Messi, gasping for the ball. While the latter could leave Argentina too open for comfort when France come at them at full steam.
Will Griezmann be marked?
Antoine Griezmann will be on Argentina’s radar at the Lusail Stadium
If Argentina allow Antoine Griezmann the chance to pull the strings from midfield, France are almost certain to prevail. But does that mean that Scaloni will ask one of his feisty midfielders (most likely Rodrigo De Paul) to shadow France’s most resourceful player? Or will Argentina take the more conservative approach by caging Griezmann by cutting off his passing lanes, forcing him to drop deeper than he would like.
What will be Di Maria’s role?
When Argentina played the World Cup final in 2014, Angel Di Maria missed out due to injury
The only two times Argentina have won a major trophy this century, it has been Angel Di Maria who has come up with the matchwinner. First at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, and then, last year at the Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro. Expected to be fully fit ahead of the final, Di Maria looks most likely to come on as an impact substitute against France, though he may be considered for a starting berth should Argentina decide to be more adventurous and stretch the French defence from the get-go.
Which striker will have the golden touch?
Julian Alvarez has scored three knockout goals in Qatar so far, while Olivier Giroud has two
Both Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud sit on four goals at this World Cup, having excelled as versatile frontmen relishing the role of the supporting cast. In the final, though, Alvarez could well carry the greater threat with his dribbling and speed, as opposed to the less agile Giroud, who will have his task cut out against a physically robust Argentine backline.
Which goalkeeper will rule the roost?
Both Emiliano Martinez and Hugo Lloris have conceded five times at this World Cup so far
At first glance, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and France’s Hugo Lloris could not be more different as human beings. One a maverick, constantly preening during the big moments. The other, a picture of total serenity, a man absorbing pressure like a sponge. Both, however, are world-class shot-stoppers, and in a game of fine margins, the fate of the World Cup could come down to one of their fingertips. Just ask Iker Casillas about 2010.
Who would rather settle for penalties?
Italy edged past France the last time the World Cup was decided on penalties, in 2006
Three of the last five World Cup finals have gone to extra time, with the 2006 instalment the only one to be settled on penalties. Should 2022 follow the same route as Italy-France 16 years ago, Argentina might be favourites. They have won both their last two shootouts in major tournaments, with the triumphant memories from the quarter-final against the Netherlands still fresh. France, whose last penalty shootout in a World Cup was actually in the 2006 final, lost their most recent instance of football’s lottery at a major tournament, crashing out to Switzerland at Euro 2020.
Which bench will prove more decisive?
Mario Gotze scored Germany’s World Cup-winning goal as a supersub in 2014
Both Argentina and France have a wealth of options among their substitutes, many of whom can do a Mario Gotze from 2014 and make the difference off the bench. On paper, though, it is Argentina who have more depth across positions, with France’s injury list taking its toll on an abundant talent pool. Our picks to watch for momentous cameos are Kingsley Coman and Marcus Thuram for France (unless Karim Benzema can make a miraculous return) and Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez for Argentina (assuming Di Maria starts).
Will Argentina be emotionally spent?
Argentina have gone through every possible emotion in Qatar so far
Several times in this tournament, Argentina have played like a team possessed, as if they are convinced their name is written on the trophy. Supported non-stop by the World Cup’s widest and noisiest fan base, Argentina have been on an emotional rollercoaster since slumping to a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia. Playing what Messi described as “five finals” en route to the actual one must have drained the players psychologically. But Argentina will take heart from the fact that the final at Lusail will be their fifth game of the tournament at the ‘Iconic’ stadium, meaning they will be familiar with every blade of grass on the pitch and the logistics of the arena off it. Even if they do not have enough left in the tank, these seemingly little factors can help them over the line.
Will France be as hungry as in 2018?
France celebrate after winning the World Cup in Moscow in 2018
When Croatia equalised against France in the 2018 final, something changed among Didier Deschamps’s men. They immediately upped their intensity and played with a fervour and flair that had been missing for most of their time in Russia. In Qatar, France have been similarly conservative in the lead up to the final. But can they find that extra gear when put under the cosh on the grandest stage? Or will the tag of defending champions make them more complacent than desperate to win the whole thing all over again?
