FIFA World Cup final: Argentina versus France – what you need to know

Lionel Messi-led soccer powerhouse Argentina will take on defending champions France on Sunday, to draw the curtains on the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup.

A champion will be crowned ?#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2022

After a month of intense football that saw national teams display grit, skill and emotion in equal measure, and with one million fans having descended upon Qatar for the tournament up to the semi-finals, the event is set to conclude this weekend.

We’re very pleased to announce that over 1 million fans have visited Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, up to the semi finals ??⚽️?? #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/KMm0XzxDFv

— Fatma Al Nuaimi (@falnuaimi) December 15, 2022

With all the trappings of a thriller, here’s what you need to know about the match.

Fixture 
The final will take place at the Lusail stadium on December 18. The concluding match of the FIFA World Cup will coincide with the host country’s National Day.

Read: Breaking new ground: The impact and legacy of the FIFA World Cup

The Lusail stadium, bearing a muted gold facade, is located 20 kilometres north of central Doha and holds an approximate capacity of 88,966.

pic.twitter.com/1FTEXXvTal

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 15, 2022

Argentina
Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final to reach the FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina are in the #FIFAWorldCup Final! ?@adidasfootball | #Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022

Football legend Lionel Messi has become the first Argentinian player to score five goals in a World Cup since Gabriel Batistuta in 1998.

Your @Budweiser player of the match Lionel Messi lauds Julian Alvarez for “carrying the team” into the #FIFAWorldCup final ? #Budweiser #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud @budfootball pic.twitter.com/j7BjKdFX5B

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2022

He is also the sixth player in the tournament’s history to score in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals in a single edition as well as belts 18 appearances as World Cup captain to his credit. At his World Cup swansong on Sunday, the 35-year old soccer genius would aspire to lift the trophy.

France
Defending champions France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday and will aspire to take home their third FIFA trophy on December 18.

Theo Hernández’s goal, scored four minutes and 39 seconds into the semi-final match, is the earliest by any side in a World Cup semi-final since 1958.

France are through to the final! ?@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2022

France have a rich FIFA history. The European nation won their past four World Cup semi-final matches – played in 1998, 2006, 2018 and 2022 –  inside 90 minutes, according to the FIFA website.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who travelled to Qatar to be in attendance for the semi-final, took to Twitter to congratulate the national team.

Merci les Bleus.
Maintenant, la Coupe ! pic.twitter.com/KKZcHlmlJs

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 14, 2022

Golden Boot 
Paris-born Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, with five goals each, are contending for the Golden Boot, an accolade given to the player who scores the most goals.

If two players are equal in the number of goals scored, the one with the most assists will win it. Messi has had three assists, while Mbappe has had two.