USL Sacramento Republic FC

World Cup Preview: Final Weekend

December 15, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The World Cup Final - a match four years in the making and considered the biggest single event in football - will kick off Sunday morning to deliver a champion. After four weeks, and with 63 matches in the rear view mirror, defending champion France and 2014 finalist Argentina will square off for the title after historic runs through the tournament's 22nd edition.

Before kickoff, however, Saturday's Match for Third Place serves as a precursor pitting the two semifinal runner-ups against each other. Preview each of the last matches of the 2022 World Cup ahead of Saturday's Match for Third Place and Sunday's Final.

Saturday, December 17: Croatia v Morocco - Match for Third Place

Kickoff: 7:00 AM PT

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar Rayyan

Watch: FOX40

Viewing Locations: Mimosa House, Public House, Iron Horse Tavern

Croatia's strive for a second straight final appearance came to an end against Argentina in Tuesday's semifinal. A match billed as Messi v Modric was just that, with the former and his South American side convincingly taking the victory. However, the road isn't over for Croatia, who will now get the chance to place in the top three again after reaching the final in 2018. They'll take on tournament darling Morocco, who fell to France in Wednesday's semifinal after becoming the first African nation to make the penultimate stage of the competition. Morocco's most successful effort yet can still end with a top 3 finish, something they'd be more than proud of given expectations at the start.

Sunday, December 18: Argentina v France - the Final

Kickoff: 7:00 AM PT

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Dayyen

Watch: FOX40

Viewing Locations: Mimosa House, Public House, Iron Horse Tavern

The matchup many hoped for emerges at last in the biggest game of the tournament. Will Kylian Mbappe and France become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, or will the legendary Lionel Messi finally claim a long-awaited World Cup for Argentina?

The tournament began with turmoil for Argentina following a stunning loss to Saudi Arabia, but since, they've been near perfect. In the knockout stage, their only concern has been the near comeback allowed against the Netherlands. The French possess a similar resume, having fallen to Tunisia in the group stage but being dominant everywhere else. What decides the match is already up for debate, but regardless of the outcome, legends will be made and one nation's story will be stamped into history. Each team has earned its way here with complete performances and possesses few holes on the roster. The attacking units will surely be at the forefront, with stars at every forward position and waiting in the wings off the bench.

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