Catch-up on all the action leading up to the final with highlights, mini matches and full replays now on the
Messi's last dance
Lionel Messi entered Qatar confirming the 2022 World Cup would be his last, but now, it could yet double as his greatest.
The World Cup has long eluded the Argentina star who fell agonisingly short in 2014, back when Germany prevailed thanks to Mario Gotze’s goal deep in extra-time of a tense final.
At 35 years of age, it’s now or never for one of the game’s greatest-ever players, with world football’s golden prize the last piece needed to complete the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s near-perfect puzzle.
60-year first
France will secure a second consecutive World Cup crown if they can overcome Argentina in Lusail – a feat not seen since 1962.
Only Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) have won back-to-back titles, albeit in an era where no more than 16 teams could qualify.
A World Cup double for Les Bleus would see them join such esteemed company and in arguably more impressive fashion, with Didier Deschamps also becoming the second coach to manage two tournament wins after Vittorio Pozzo.
READ MORE
France striving for 60-year first
Messi v Mbappe
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been arguably the two best players of the tournament thus far which makes the final a fitting conclusion to their individual battle.
Both players have scored a tournament-high five goals in six appearances, with Messi’s three assists being one better than his Paris Saint-Germain teammate’s total.
Either side’s hopes of success will depend a lot on the contributions of their respective stars, and you feel the victor might just walk away with the Golden Ball as a result.
Rivalry renewed
France and Argentina are set to meet at the World Cup for the fourth time since 1930, with the latter keen to avenge their 2018 exit in the Round of 16.
Les Bleus prevailed 4-3 on the way to lifting the trophy in Russia and impressed in what many felt was the game of the tournament.
Revenge will be on the minds of several Argentina stars returning from their previous encounter, in what promises to be another thrilling affair between two giants of international football.
Golden battle
The race for the Golden Boot is set to go right down to the wire and a total of four players are in the mix.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi currently lead the way with five goals apiece in Qatar, where they are trailed quite closely by strikers Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez joined Giroud on four goals after scoring two in Argentina’s victory over Croatia in the semi-final, but you feel six could be the magic number for the award – as has been the case in the last two editions of the tournament.
How to watch the Argentina v France final on SBS
Monday, December 19
Final - Argentina v France
1:00am - 5:00am (AEDT) - kick-off at 2:00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
