Football’s grandest stage is set for a blockbuster finale of the FIFA Worlc Cup as defending champions Argentina take on Spain at New Jersey tonight. The match kicks off 12.30 a.m. IST. Argentina is one of the most successful teams in FIFA World Cup history, having won the title three times. Messi’s team will be looking to become the first team to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title after Brazil in 1958 and 1962. On the other hand, Spain will be aiming to lift their second FIFA World Cup trophy after 2010They lifted their first trophy on home soil in 1978, followed by 1986 and 2022. This will be Argentina and Spain’s only second encounter in the FIFA World Cup history after 1966, when they met at the group stage. Argentina had secured a 2-1 victory in that match.
For Argentina Messi is the outright hero, leading by eight goals and four assists, which also makes him the frontrunner for the Golden Boot. Lautaro Martinez with three goals and Enzo Fernandez with two have also played important role in Argentina’s attacking masterclass. Mikel Oyarzabal has been Spain’s top scorer at this World Cup with five goals, including one in their semifinal win over France. Rodri has dominated midfield with a tournament-high 648 completed passes, while Lamine Yamal, returning from injury, has yet to hit top form but remains a constant threat out wide.
Earlier this morning, England clinched the bronze medal defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place playoff at Miami Stadium. Bukayo Saka became only the second England player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup, following Sir Geoff Hurst’s historic feat in the 1966 final, which was won by England.
Despite France’s defeat, captain Kylian Mbappé created history by becoming the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 career goals. The 27-year-old surpassed Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21 World Cup goals after scoring twice in the second half. Mbappé also finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, two more than Messi in the race for the Golden Boot,which is awarded to the tournament’s top scorer.
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