If there’s anything we’ve learned about FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 it’s that despite the possibility of the unexpected, some events can also be predicted. Morocco was one such surprise as the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals. At the beginning of the tournament, three nations were chosen as favorites to win the cup: Brazil, France, and Argentina. Brazil has played in every tournament and has won the most World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002). Expectations for a 6th time win were high among Brazilians. Some may have predicted a final between the highest World Cup winner against the current champion. Sadly, Brazil was eliminated by Croatia in the quarterfinals after a score of 1 – 1 during extra time – taking the game to penalties, where Brazil lost 4-2.
It turns out the predictions were not completely off. France is heading to the final after beating Morocco (who had only conceded one goal in the match against Canada). France now faces Argentina. Both teams have won two World Cups – Argentina in 1978 and 1989, and France in 1998 and 2018. Only one country has won consecutive World Cups: Italy. 1934 and 1938. With a chance to tie with Italy, France is heading to this final quite confident. The forward French Kylian Mbappé has shared his thoughts about the World Cup’s final on his Twitter account, “Back to back World Cup Final.” Also adding a French flag to the post.
Meanwhile, Argentina feels strong about their journey in this tournament, and Lionel Messi shared some of his thoughts, as he is playing his last World Cup, “[I feel] a lot of happiness to be able to achieve this. To finish my World Cup career playing my last game in a final. Everything I’ve lived in this World Cup, what people experienced and how much the people back in Argentina are enjoying it all is very emotional.” Messi has yet to win a World Cup with Argentina, and this is a hopeful moment for him, as he also recognizes his group’s efforts, “It is a very intelligent group, that knows how to suffer when they have to suffer, that knows how to have the ball when they have to have it, when they have to press, to retreat, they know how to read the matches.”
With the World Cup being held every 4 years, the excitement has reached millions of people, at home and at the stadiums. With both teams showing an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, this final promises high ratings for sports channels. With FOX Sports, FS1 and Telemundo Deportes broadcasting the game in English and Spanish, “the viewership is predicted to be five billion across the world, making that an average of 227.27 million per day.” According to FIFA’S president Gianni Infantino, this is going to be the “most-watched tournament in its history.” The World Cup’s final will also be live streaming on Peacock, Fubo, SlingTV, and Vidgo.
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