Messi and His Date with Destiny

 

Argentina vs France. South America vs Europe. Old Dog vs New Dog. Number 10 vs Number 10. Messi vs Mbappe. No matter the challenge, Destiny will not be denied. The final trophy has been achieved. Lionel and the Argentines have dethroned the defending champions in historic fashion!

After a disastrous first half which saw the French looking like contenders than champs, Les Bleus came storming in the second half with two goals from young sensation and possibly football's heir-apparent in Kylian Mbappe. A penalty kick and a beautiful steal for Coman from Messi lead to a brilliant counter attack that Mbappe finished. With the scores tied and the momentum shifting, France looked like the deadlier team going for the final kill. A tactical blunder by Scaloni to subbed Di Maria appeared to backfire as the Argentine offense looked stagnant. A spirited French defense, absent in the first half, showed hardened determination in the second. A stalemate ensued, regular time at 2-2.

The extra period was extra ordinary. The deadlock was broke when a mad scramble for the loose ball from a fantastic Lloris save went into Messi as he calmly kicked the ball for a 3-2 lead. With just a few minutes left and the championship seemingly secured, a handball violation allowed Mbappe to score a hat-trick to level the score again at 3-3. Mbappe and France will not go out without a fight. 

The penalty period is the time when goalkeepers shine and Martinez stood up to the occasion again. A block from Coman and a missed by Tchouameni secured the Argentine victory, 4-2.

Argentina's previous legendary number 10 has won it. The current legendary 10 has NOW won it. Weird coincidence? Maradonna 10, Messi 10, Mbappe 10. 

Fantastic victory! Fantastic World Cup!

This was a brilliantly written script - a script written by the football gods. Messi, in his late 30s, in what is touted as his final World Cup game, secures the final, elusive crown. Destiny will not be denied.  

RB28

Photo Source: The Guardian

 

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World Cup 2022 First Half Arg 2 Fra 0

Argentina looks to secure another World Cup victory and a first during the Messi-era as the South Americans blitzkrieg to an early 2-0 lead from a Messi penalty kick and returning starter Di Maria. 

The French offense looks stagnant with Martnez never seriously threatened. Their defense is also suspect with so many missed clearances and intercepted balls. Deschamps needs a serious halftime talk to rouse the defending champs!

The story so far: Di Maria is having a field day on the left side. Something needs to happen if France is to defend the championship!

rb28

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France Stops Morocco's Cinderella Run

Mbappe, crowded with defenders, does a beautiful pass that leads to a goal. Messi with a beautiful dribble run and pass that leads to a goal. It's the new breed vs the old generation, defending champs vs aspiring champs. 

 

Defeating Iberian neighbors Spain and Portugal, Europe's last team was soon to be conquered, The Franks stopped the Atlas Lion's proud advance. Les Bleus did what no other team in this World Cup could do - score twice against a tough and scrappy Moroccan side that has not conceded an opposing goal.

It was a dynamic game, rarely a dull moment, as both teams pressed, attack, defend, and counter attack with every given opportunity. 

France vs Argentina. Europe vs South America. The traditional powerhouses of football converge for one final match. 

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Messi Magic Stuns Croatia

Argentina played a team possessed as they thrashed Croatia 3-0 to barge into the FIFA World Cup finals. Messi scored on a penalty and assisted on a beautiful pass that resulted in a goal en route to a masterful performance. With individual and team championship trophies in club level, the national one is what eludes him on football's biggest stage. 

Croatia didn't have the bite to seriously threaten the Argentine defense whereas the South Americans were deadly especially on the counter attack. The Balkan nation appeared to slow the game and bring it again to a penalty shootout, which I think, they have an advantage.

Whereas Messi played the full game, Ronaldo played only in the second half. In what will probably be the last World Cup for arguably the two greatest players, Lionel will secure apex status, especially if Argentina wins it all.

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