The FIFA World Cup 2022 is just one match away from nearing its climax. One more game and the world will know whether it will be France who would have successfully defended its title or Argentina who would have added another World Cup title and given a fitting tribute to Lionel Messi or perhaps even a farewell from the international stage.
The summit clash will be played on Sunday, December 18 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. But before that, it would be interesting to look at both the teams' campaigns in the tournament so far.
Argentina: Stunned by Saudi Arabia before cracking the winning formula
Even though Argentina had entered into the competition as among the favourites to lift the trophy and were in the middle of a record unbeaten run, they were stunned in their first match itself. Lionel Messi & Co. were beaten by the second lowest ranked team competing in this edition of the tournament as Saudi Arabia managed to net 2 goals against Argentina's 1.
Post that, however, there has been no looking back for the La Albiceleste. They defeated Mexico 2-0 in their next Group fixture before another 2-0 win over Poland in their final Group game. In the Round of 16, Argentina were up against Australia and even though Australia did pull one goal back late in the match, thanks to an own goal from Enzo Fernandez, a goal each from Messi and Julian Alvarez was enough for them to proceed to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Argentina were guilty of letting Netherlands come back into the match as they conceded twice in the dying minutes of the game, having already taken a 2-0 lead. But all's well that ends well, they say. And for Argentinians, it indeed ended well as they went on to win on penalties 4-3.
The Men in White and Sky Blue Colours then went on to dominate their semifinal fixture against Croatia, beating them 3-0 and ending the World Cup dream of Luka Modric while keeping their own legend Lionel Messi's dream alive.
France: Clinical all the way but for the stumble against Tunisia
France, meanwhile, made a sensational start to their FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, with a 4-1 win over Australia in their Group D clash. They then beat Denmark 2-1. However, in a shocking result, they lost to Tunisia 0-1. Wahbi Khazri's 58th minute goal was enough for Tunisia to beat a team which eventually made it to their second successive World Cup final.
The Les Blues were quick to bounce back as they beat Poland 3-1 in their Round of 16 clash. Poland's only goal, netted by star Robert Lewandowski also came only in the stoppage time of the second half through a spot kick before which the damage had already been done.
France then went on to hand a defeat to England 2-1 in the quarterfinals before a fairly comfortable win over Morocco in the semifinals with one goal in each half.
The stage is set then for an epic showdown between Argentina and France which will decide the winner of the most esteemed trophy in international football.