Champions battle for a third title! |17 December 2022
The final of the 22nd edition of the Fifa World Cup will take place tomorrow at the Lusail Iconic Stadium where Argentina will face 2018 champions France, with both teams looking to win a third title.
For almost a month, football lovers around the globe have had a blast watching their favourite teams playing ‒ matches culminating in losses, wins and draws followed by the pulsating penalty shootouts.
In Seychelles, the football fever was present and before and after each match, supporters wrote down their comments on social media.
Ahead of tomorrow’s final, Sports NATION brings you the predictions of some of our readers.
Compiled by Vidya Gappy
Keith Andre: “I have twin boys and they support different teams and each of their teams are in the final. So we have Kaelan Andre supporting Argentina because of my mum who is an ardent supporter of Argentina and passionate about the legend, Diego Maradona. So now Kaelan has inherited the World Cup fever when it comes to Argentina and the new generation of Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria and Martinez.
“On the other hand, we have Kyle Andre who is passionate about Kylian Mbappe and the French golden generation and not to forget that I myself also having appreciated their resilience at the top level since the days of Platini, down to Zidane and now. They have always been a squad to be reckoned with and have gained worldwide support also because of their swift flowing style of play.
“Our first born Kris Andre is also rooting for Argentina for the same reasons as his younger brother Kaelan. So on Sunday our house will be separated into two equal sides of two. Hopefully Maggie will be able to control the situation without having to pull out any red cards in the living room.
“Anyway, whoever wins, it's coming home for my family! I hope it will be a final to remember.”
Sivaramen Marday: “I have been an ardent supporter of team Argentina since 1978.People seeing my support for Argentina on Facebook have been calling me Messiramen instead of Sivaramen.
“The World Cup is always a great festival of football and it was nice to see some very good surprises – elimination of some teams tagged as favourites; Morroco becoming the first African country to reach the semifinals. For the final of course I'll go for Argentina to win.”
Paul Lebon: “The matches as expected have been a bit cagey in the group stage as every point was precious, hence the multiple goalless scoreline. The giant killing upsets have proven that on the given day every team can be a match. The tournament has definitely taken off as of the knockout stages and we have seen the likes of Messi, Alvarez, Mbappe, Griezmann really shine.
“As an Argentina fan this was the final I wanted... after having beaten the other 2018 finalists Croatia in the semifinal...we now have to beat the defending champions to earn glory... Both France and Argentina have won two World Cups and a third would be special. This is Messi's chance to prove he is the greatest of all time, but I’m sure his prodigy Mbappe will have something to say about that. VAMOS ARGENTINA!”
Erol: “Great matches, beautiful stadiums. Always nice when the smaller teams attack and have a go at it. The final, France have the best midfield of this World Cup. They will neutralise Messi and Giroud will sneak in with a goal. France will win 1-0.”
Kelly Saminadin: So far the matches have been very exciting and intense. All the teams have been playing well, including those who have been eliminated. I am a fervent Brazil supporter and will always be.
“I believe France will win the World Cup again this time as they have shown resilience and real determination. Good luck to them!!!”
Alain de Commarmond: “I supported England. This World Cup has proven to be in my view the best in terms of the football itself (first World cup I watched was in 1986). I feel it is the World Cup that has finally ended the perception of 'underdogs' with many upsets by the likes of Saudi Arabia, Japan and Morocco to the 'bigger teams'...it's been the best World Cup for Africa also with Morocco being the first African country to reach the semifinals. Senegal did very well too. As for England my team...we were very unlucky to lose to France in the quarterfinals despite being the better team on the day but that's football...it's the goals that matter. But England will be back for the next one... most of our players are still young so we will have a solid team again.
“As for the final, obviously there's no way I would support the team who beat us! (Ha ha) I would like Messi to win this World Cup to crown his greatness in his last World Cup! So the score will be a close one.”
Aubrey Lesperance: “I have watched some of the matches, especially the ones that were exciting and when I did not dose off! I have seen that this World Cup has been quite exciting overall with unexpected countries like Morocco surprising everyone to get as far as the semifinals. I was even surprised to see countries like Japan and South Korea performing so well in this World Cup compared to some traditionally popular countries like Germany and Spain who did not do so well this time around. They are considered the favourites due to their record but I guess the newcomers have shown us that we should never underestimate any team.
“For me personally, I support Brazil and have been during every World Cup since 1998. I was a bit disappointed that they did not reach further in the competition, especially after they started off quite well in the group. But, I knew that they being favourites they would be targeted heavily and many people were praying that they would lose out. But, we all know this is a competition and it could go either way.
“I am very impressed with Argentina and I think they will win the final. I have seen how great they are in the way they have played their previous matches and I have a strong feeling that they will win it. Although, France have some good players and are very good tactically, they may also surprise us. It is an unexpected World Cup after all!”