2022 World Cup final live updates: Lionel Messi scores, dominant Argentina leading France 2-0
Four weeks of soccer have been leading up to Sunday, the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, pitting Lionel Messi and Argentina against defending champion France at 10 a.m. ET.
Both countries have won the tournament twice – Argentina in 1978 and 1986 and France in 1998 and 2018. Les Blues hope to become the third nation to win back-to-back tournaments, joining Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as the only teams to accomplish the feat.
The World Cup has long eluded Messi, perhaps the greatest player in the history of the sport. Playing in this tournament for the fifth time, the 35-year-old Messi can win the one trophy missing from his cabinet.
Keep it here throughout the match for updates and highlights:
France still can’t find a way through
Follow every match: Latest World Cup Scores and Schedules
After a listless first half, the defending champions still haven’t been able to get anything going since the break – while Argentina is taking advantage of the space to create some good chances in the first 20 minutes of the half.
class of the tournament as both chase history.
So what are the keys to victory for each team?
Argentina:
- Be ruthless
- Forget what’s at stake
- Corral Kylian Mbappe
France:
- Stay present
- Don’t overlook Argentina’s youngsters
- Don’t mess with what’s working
Read Nancy Armour’s full World Cup final preview here
Qatari officials will make their case that the success of this World Cup has shown Doha to be a worthy host of a Summer Olympics. Possibly as early as 2036. They will tout the dazzling World Cup stadiums, first-class training facilities and the efficient metro system that whisked fans between games. They will show photos of those smiling fans, celebrating their teams as the skyline glitters in the background. top scorer of the tournament.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe have each scored five goals in Qatar, with Messi holding the tiebreaker having three assists to Mbappe’s two. Their teammates, Julian Alvarez of Argentina and Olivier Giroud of France are tied for third with four goals each.
November and December for the first time in its 92-year history, the true impact of a midseason World Cup remains to be seen.
“We are exhausted,” said Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. “Many of us will be exhausted when we come back to our clubs.”
The disruption caused by staging the World Cup during the European season has long been a point of contention. Traditionally held in June and July, the tournament dates had to be moved because of Qatar’s soaring temperatures at that time of the year.
– Associated Press