by “,”elementId”:”08737907-ffe0-4f6e-b358-5101e0a5252a”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement”,”url”:”https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/18/fa-confirms-gareth-southgate-is-carrying-on-as-england-manager?CMP=share_btn_tw”,”text”:”FA confirms Gareth Southgate is carrying on as England manager”,”prefix”:”Related: “,”role”:”thumbnail”,”elementId”:”5db984db-9c02-4abf-b8ce-e048e76d7142″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”html”:”
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 18, 2022
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Finally, after what seems like an eternity, we have reached the final. We can all go back to spending time with our loved ones and watching club football once the day is done.
“,”elementId”:”6bb7e40d-1924-478c-9ffc-2d1c823407a9″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
In the meantime, it is the final a lot of people wanted: Messi v Mbappe. Argentina have been excellent since their opening match bashing by Saudi Arabia, while France have trudged through to the final two with some acceptable performances.
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The match kicks off at 3pm UK time, so use your search engine of choice to find out what the means for you.
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Here’s to an exciting day that the world has been waiting for since 2018, in a way.
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Key events
Naturally, the animals have to decide who will do it.
“Thank you for all the fantastic coverage during this WC, but what are we going to do tomorrow? Back to live politics? Americo Bagnatti asks.
“To add to what my fellow reader Francisco has explained regarding the ‘cabala’, superstitions and jinxes that Argentinian fans embrace, I’d like to direct you to this Quilmes ad (I don’t know if you’re allowed to share any advertisements for beer on the live blog), which has a somewhat humorous but ultimately illuminating take on the subject.
I’m expecting a free crate from Quilmes for this.
Southgate to remain England manager
Gareth Southgate has a contract until 2024 but the FA have taken the time to confirm he hasn’t quit so that’s good.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 18, 2022
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In Paris, the ‘Argentina’ metro station was renamed for the day. Adorable stuff.
The Paris métro station « Argentine » has been renamed for the day… (via @hortense_crepin) #FRAARG pic.twitter.com/xKGEHQpwux
— Agnes C. Poirier (@AgnesCPoirier) December 18, 2022
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It didn’t take long for Gareth Southgate to stay with England. I suspect the fact that he wouldn’t get a job at a top club and that this England team has potential meant it was the only sensible decision to make.
David Hytner has a look at what it all means.
WhoScored took a look at both teams – and they use stats and stuff.
And for France…
We have Philippe Auclair on Didier Deschamps.
David Hytner on Lloris.
Let’s focus for a moment on Argentina.
Starting with Jonathan Wilson on Julian Alvarez.
Sid Lowe and Friends on Lionel Scaloni.
And a few Paul MacInnes for good measure.
“We’re still in the news for the bad stuff, politics and the economy aren’t going in the direction you might want, and it’s been a long time since there’s been any real reason to celebrate.”
Amy Booth at BA.
The global game, in pictures.
We can all see it, can’t we…?
Who’s that running up above shrouded in Argentinian colours? Is Diego looking down? 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZbFVKXUGZl
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 18, 2022
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Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has said he intends to play for the Balkan nation until the Nations League final in June next year but has yet to decide on his participation in the Euro 2024 tournament.
Modric helped Croatia win the bronze medal at the World Cup in Qatar after beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place qualifier on Saturday after finishing second in the 2018 edition in Russia.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said this week that Modric would likely play for them at the Euros in Germany despite his age if the team qualified, but the 37-year-old said on Saturday he would would consider his options.
“About my future? I don’t know if I will play until the Euros in Germany. I have to take it step by step,” Modric told beIN Sports. “I’m enjoying the national team and I feel happy. I still think I can perform at a high level. Then afterwards there will be more time to think about the Euros. Now it’s (to ) take it step by step and continue at least until the Nations League and then we’ll see.” Reuters
I’m sure he’s open to suggestions.
@Will_Unwin Am surprised that David Squires has not hit upon the idea of superimposing a migrant worker on the Jules Rimet trophy? Or, has he?
— krish (@vkmagus) December 18, 2022
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@Will_Unwin Am I surprised that David Squires didn’t come up with the idea of superimposing a migrant worker on the Jules Rimet trophy? Or, has he?
— Krish (@vkmagus) December 18, 2022
Buenos Aires is primed.
Let’s take a look at two key people in today’s game.
Nick Ames on Emi Martinez.
Jacob Steinberg on Dembele.
“Francisco here, a 32-year-old Argentinian”, Hello Francisco.
“Wonderful work throughout the World Cup from you and your colleagues, deep admiration and congratulations!” stop that!
“Three things to share…
“First the incredible level of excitement here. It’s something out of this world. Encapsulated by this Twitter thread made of celebrations after reaching the final a few days ago – can’t even imagine what might happen if things went the way we want yesterday (touching a million pieces of wood!).
“Secondly, as evidenced by the way I phrased the potential outcome above, there is the superstition or ‘cábalas’ that we Argentines use. Above all, it is never about saying something that might happen for fear of jinxing him. So every person here who talks about the game will never say something like “we’ll win it” or start celebrating beforehand. I know people who always use the same clothes to see the game, others who get up every time Messi touches the ball, or who watch the games alone on purpose. So much so that this way of thinking goes only, like a joke to hope that someone lose, we say “ah, congratulations to the team for winning x tournament” so as to bewitch them. Lots of lore and superstition in the hope that some deity (Maradona?) will help us. Having lived in London these last six years, I find it interesting to compare this point of v ue with the classic irony of British humor with the chant “it’s coming home”.
“Third – I know Tiger Tiger around Trafalgar Square was showing the games and it was full of Argentinians.”
“Vamos argentina!!”
Mbappe? No. Antoine Griezmann is the man to stop, according to our very conquered Karen Carney.
Fill your boots with the briefing.
Naturally, if Argentina win and Messi scores the winner, and a commentator says ‘you can’t write that’, then they should be sacked on the spot. I think the (ever) best player in the world scoring a big goal in the biggest game is really quite easy to write. Even I could put this script together.
Barney Ronay has had a busy few days spitting phlegm and writing about Doha.
Here are his latest offers…
An interesting one for France is the absence of Karim Benzema. He left camp before the start of the tournament with a thigh problem but didn’t return despite Real Madrid friendlies. His social media output has been quite cryptic in recent days, mainly his post about the Ballon d’Or win. I think there’s a bigger story to come out of it once the competition is over and dusted off.
The important thing is to get in the mood for the final and the only way to do that is to read a plethora of Guardian articles on France and Argentina.
We start with Marcela Mora y Araujo in Buenos Aires on this Messi guy.
Jacob Steinberg looks to France and its stars who held that position four years ago before defeating Croatia.
Hello
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, we have reached the final. We can all go back to spending time with loved ones and watching club football when the day is over.
In the meantime, it’s the final that many people wanted: Messi against Mbappe. Argentina have been excellent since their opener against Saudi Arabia, while France qualified for the last two with acceptable performances.
The match kicks off at 3pm UK time, so use your search engine of choice to find out what this means to you.
Here is an exciting day that the world has been waiting for since 2018, in a way.
