INTERNATIONAL: The stage is set for the 2022 World Cup final, and it's going to be a doozy. Lionel Messi and Argentina will take on Kylian Mbappe and defending champions France on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. ET.
Will Messi equal the feat of Argentina icon Diego Maradona while cementing his status as the GOAT? Or will Mbappe and Co. become the first back-to-back champs since Pele and Brazil did it 60 years ago? However it goes down, we cannot wait for Sunday's showdown at the Lusail Iconic Stadium outside of Doha.
Can it already be Sunday? Well, we have three full days before the World Cup final (and two before the third-place consolation match between Croatia and Morocco), and we'll have plenty to break down and preview before then. But let's look a couple key points before France and Argentina take center stage:
Argentina is a slight favorite to win the title over France, at 53% vs. 47%.
The hunt for star No. 3: Both France (1998, 2018) and Argentina (1978, 1986) will be vying for their third World Cup title. Only Germany, Italy (four apiece), and Brazil (five) have more these two sides. Les Bleus and La Albiceleste will also be aiming for their second title outside as non-hosts, with both of Sunday's finalists each having won their first on home soil.
This will be the fourth time the two sides have played in a World Cup match. Argentina beat France in the group stage in 1930 and 1978, while France came out the victors in a round of 16 game four years ago. Overall, Argentina leads the head-to-head series 6W-3L-3D.
Plenty of starpower on both squads but all eyes will be on Messi and Mbappe. Not only are they teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, but they lead the Golden Boot race as the tournament's top scorer with five goals apiece.
Never before have club teammates finish 1-2 in the World Cup's Golden Boot race. If both finish tied after Sunday's match, then the tiebreaker will be the player with the most assists. If that is also tied, then it's the player with the least amount of minutes played.
Once on the field on Sunday, the 35-year-old Messi will pass Germany great Lothar Matthaus for the most World Cup appearances (26) by a male player. In scoring against Croatia on Tuesay, Messi passed Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals (11) in Argentina men's history, with Maradona having scored eight.
Mbappe is aiming to become the second youngest player with two World Cup titles to his name. It would be an impressive accomplishment for the 23-year-old, with only Pele (two-times winner by age 22) ahead of him.
So who do you think will win Leave a comment and let us know?
(ESPN)
