The World Cup Final Is Locked In: Here’s What To Expect

It all comes down to this.

After nearly a month, 60 matches, tons of controversy and heaps of triumph, just two teams remain.

After defeating Morocco early this morning (Australian time), France have advanced to the World Cup Final to face off against Argentina, after they qualified on Wednesday morning by beating Croatia.

The celebrations continue for Les Bleus 🎉 🇫🇷

France was greeted with a warm welcome after their semifinal win over Morocco 🙌

(via @equipedefrance)

pic.twitter.com/t8Y3Q5vhaJ

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 15, 2022

The two nations are soccer-mad, and it’s shaping up to be a huge clash. The headline match is going to be on the worlds stage this weekend as people look forward to the game on Sunday night/Monday morning.

So, here’s your guide on what’s going down this weekend, and what might happen.

The Third-Place Playoff.

Before the big dance gets underway, we need to figure out who’s coming third.

That game will be played between the two losers of the semi-finals, Croatia and Morocco. Both teams have had a dream world cup up until this point, going undefeated until the semis.

Even though this is just the third place game, there’s still a lot to fight for. In the most recent world cup in 2018, Croatia made it to the Final, but were defeated by France – the Croatian team will want to prove their mettle as a serious footballing nation.

On the other hand, Morocco will be playing for never-before-seen glory – Morocco are the first African team to ever make the semi-finals, and a bronze medal would cement the team into world football history.

That's game. I hope Morocco wins the Third Place Playoff. They truly, truly deserve it.

— Yomi Kazeem (@TheYomiKazeem) December 14, 2022

As for who’s going to win – it’s a tight one. For most analysts, Croatia stands out as the favourite, but only by a slim margin, and most are giving Morocco a red-hot chance.

Morocco and Croatia have met in a match just twice before, the most recent coming a few weeks ago in the group stage of this World Cup – that game played out to a draw.

The previous game, in 1996, also played out in a draw, but Croatia came away with a tight win in penalty shots, seven to six.

Although Croatia sits as the favourite, they shouldn’t count on it – throughout this whole tournament, Morocco’s shown an ability to upset more powerful sides, as they did with Portugal, Spain and Belgium.

still got a cheeky third place playoff to play for on Saturday https://t.co/LJerU3C8c5 pic.twitter.com/GnnCCpGx3a

— Allan Riquelme 🇦🇷 (@tacticalreasons) December 14, 2022

The third place game will get underway on Sunday at 2:00am AEDT (Sunday 1:30am ACDT, Saturday 11:00pm AWST) and will be streamed on SBS OnDemand.

The Final.

 Of course, everyone’s looking to the final, to score that trophy.

The dream final!! Sunday, France vs Argentina in the World Cup final, Kylian vs Messi. A battle for the third star, la tercera estrella, la troisième étoile. It will be epic! @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/W7VjxQf4t7

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) December 15, 2022

Argentina and France will take to the field Monday morning at 2:00am AEDT (Monday 1:30am ACDT, Sunday 11:00pm AWST) in what is set to be a momentous occasion.

Both Argentina and France are keen for glory, for some pretty big reasons.

For France, they’re looking to make World Cup history – France won the 2018 World Cup, and they’ll be looking to go back-to-back.

Bringing the noise! 🗣#FIFAWorldCup | #FRA #MAR pic.twitter.com/5px6po2gLW

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

That’s only happened twice before in the nearly 100-year history of the tournament, the most recent occurring in 1962 by Brazil.

For Argentina – it comes down to one man.

Even if you’ve never watched a football game in your life, you’ve probably heard the name Lionel Messi.

The final will be his 26^th World Cup appearance, which will give him the record of the most World Cup games in history.

Despite this, he’s never held the trophy aloft – and Argentina want to get him there.

Wasn’t sure whether I was going to watch the rest of the World Cup after we were eliminated… but how can you turn down the opportunity to watch Leo Messi when he can still play to that level at the age of 35. Honestly astonishing. 🐐

— James Maddison (@Madders10) December 14, 2022

Messi's also pledged this will be the end of his World Cup career, win or lose. At 34, he wants the chance to hold that trophy aloft. 

On the French side, Kylian Mbappe is looking for similar glory. The French striker and Messi have both racked up five goals apiece in this tournament, the most of any player. Whichever player can score more on Sunday will win the coveted Golden Boot award.

All in all, this match will come down to history.

Both sides have won the World Cup twice, and are chasing a third.

Analysts have this game on a knife’s edge, with France just edging out Argentina, but some have it dead equal.

Anything could happen on Sunday, so be sure to get up bright and early and catch all the action.  

A champion will be crowned 🔜#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022

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