World Cup Takeaways: Semifinals & World Cup Final Prediction

Photo by Manu Fernandez from the Associated Press

And then there were two.

The World Cup Final is set, and it is set up to be an outstanding matchup.

But first, let’s discuss how we got here.

Argentina defeats Croatia 3-0

In 2010 and 2014, Messi was supposed to be the star of the tournament.

2010 was a complete dud, and 2014 wasn’t quite as much as Argentina did make the World Cup Final, even if Messi didn’t play up to the standards we expected him to.

This time around, it was clear that this was Messi’s last great chance to win it all. At 35 years old, he’ll be 39 come the 2026 World Cup.

He may very well be on the team, but it’s unlikely he’ll be a key role.

This is it.

And man, is he not turning back the clock, none better than his performance on Tuesday.

Argentina played Croatia off the field, and Messi was at the centerfold of it.

If it is Messi’s last run at a World Cup, he is making the absolute most of it.

It feels like nothing will keep him from that trophy.

France defeats Morocco 2-0

But if anyone could, it’s the defending champions.

I’ll say one thing about France, their depth played a key role.

All the injuries they suffered before the tournament would have sunk other squads, but not France.

Benzema is out? No problem. Giroud takes over.

No N’Golo Kante? Whatever. Tchouameni can fill that role.

Even when starting left back Lucas Hernandez tore his ACL in the opening game, they replaced him with his brother Theo Hernandez, who went on to score the opening goal on Wednesday.

All that being said, France was on the back foot quite a bit against Morocco.

Morocco did what they always do. Defend well and counter. And they had great opportunities to do so.

But the first French goal came off of a solid block on an Mbappe shot that just happened to fall to Hernandez for a great goal scoring chance which he buried, and the second French goal was another blocked Mbappe shot that fell right to Kolo Muani.

Morocco did everything they did to get to the World Cup semifinals and they did it well.

The soccer gods just didn’t look on them fondly on this night.

But there is still a lot to be proud of there.

World Cup Final Prediction

Like I said earlier, Messi is playing like a man who will not be denied. That trophy has his name on it, and he wants it bad.

But there are flaws with Argentina, and this is the worst team to have those flaws against.

They blew the doors of Croatia, yes. But before then Argentina didn’t keep a single clean sheet all tournament.

The backline is a bit shaky, and I don’t feel tremendous about Emi Martinez in goal.

And this is against a French squad who has the capability to score at will, even more so now with the reports that Karim Benzema might be healthy enough to return for the Final.

Everything is favoring a French repeat, but there is one key factor at play.

I predicted before the tournament that Argentina would win, and I’d be a coward if I changed my mind, even if all the signs point the other direction.

Argentina wins the 2022 World Cup.