There’s some sense of déjà vu and an alignment of souls between Argentina’s legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Forty years ago, in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Maradona put England through the shredding machine with his two goals in the quarter-finals, eventually leading the South Americans to the holy grail in the final.
Four years later in Italia ’90, Maradona was back in the forefront when, like Moses, he took his countrymen to the finals — but West Germany had other ideas and got sweet revenge in a 1-0 win. A picture of a sobbing Maradona after the loss remains one of the most iconic Fifa World Cup pictures.
Fast forward a few decades later and La Pulga (The Flea), as Lionel Messi is affectionately known, took over the baton from Maradona and is rewriting history. In the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the stocky dribbling kingpin — and the greatest to have kicked a soccer ball — took Argentina to the promised land, ending La Albiceleste’s 36-year World Cup drought when they defeated France via penalty kicks in a thrilling final in Dohar.
On Wednesday, and just like Maradona did in 1986, Messi dissected the England defence as if they were lab rats in the semi-finals. The 170cm tall forward orchestrated Argentina’s 2-1 comeback-from-behind win to knock the Three Lions out in heartbreaking fashion and book their ticket for today’s finals.
Tonight, Messi will follow in El Diego’s footsteps and lead La Albiceleste to their second successive final against a very tricky Spain side. He will be hoping to join the illustrious list of players such as Pele, Garrincha, Cafu, Ronaldo Nazario who have won the Fifa World Cup more than once.
Will Messi prove beyond any reasonable doubt his status as the GOAT or will the world be caught in a sense of déjà vu and see Messi sobbing uncontrollably, just like his icon Maradona in Italy?
“I’ll tell you the truth: we’re going to try to win, we’re going to leave everything out there,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “After this it’s very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. No words, no words.
“A joy for our country, for our people. The other day, I said this group never stops surprising me. It’s incredible. We are unique, truly, and it’s not arrogance, it’s from the heart,”
Against Spain, Argentina will be confronted by a talented and competitive outfit and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal who has just started his journey to stardom. He turned 19 years old midweek and is carrying the hopes of 50 million Spaniards on his tiny shoulders.
In the semi-finals, La Roja outclassed favourites France and reduced them to mere amateurs. It did not matter that France had the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Ibrahima Konate, Desire Doue.
La Roja limited Les Bleus’s chances through some flawless defending and kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches at the tournament and they conceded just two goals at the tournament. They scored their goals against France via the boots of Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro in the first and second half of the match.
After the France win, Spain coach De la Fuente said: “There’s so much tension right now. To be in a World Cup final is a huge responsibility. It’s a privilege, something granted to very few. You have to let it all sink in. When we started out on this journey, almost four years ago, we had an idea and we’ve been faithful to that idea — we have stayed true to it and it’s brought us here.”
The game, which will be watched by billions across the globe, will be played at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Kick-off is at 9pm (SA time).
- Lionel Messi mirrored Diego Maradona's 1986 feat by leading Argentina to a 2-1 semi-final win over England in the 2022 World Cup, setting up a final against Spain.
- Maradona took Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and the final in 1990, while Messi ended Argentina's 36-year World Cup drought with a win in 2022.
- Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni praised the team's unique talent and determination ahead of the final.
- Spain, boasting a strong defense and young talent Lamine Yamal, defeated France in the semi-finals and aim to stay true to their style in the final.
- The World Cup final will be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with billions expected to watch the thrilling Argentina vs. Spain match.
Four years later in Italia ’90, Maradona was back in the forefront when, like Moses, he took his countrymen to the finals — but West
Fast forward a few decades later and La Pulga (
On Wednesday, and just like Maradona did in 1986, Messi dissected the
Tonight, Messi will follow in El Diego’s footsteps and lead La Albiceleste to their second successive final against a very tricky Spain side. He will be hoping to join the illustrious list of players such as Pele, Garrincha, Cafu, Ronaldo Nazario who have won the Fifa World Cup more than once.
Will Messi prove beyond any reasonable doubt his status as the GOAT or will the world be caught in a sense of déjà vu and see Messi sobbing uncontrollably, just like his icon Maradona in Italy?
“I’ll tell you the truth: we’re going to try to win, we’re going to leave everything out there,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “After this it’s very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. No words, no words.
“A joy for our country, for our people.
Against Spain, Argentina will be confronted by a talented and competitive outfit and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal who has just started his journey to stardom. He turned 19 years old midweek and is carrying the hopes of 50 million Spaniards on his tiny shoulders.
In the semi-finals, La Roja outclassed favourites France and reduced them to mere amateurs. It did not matter that France had the likes of Kylian
La Roja limited Les Bleus’s chances through some flawless defending and kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches at the tournament and they conceded just two goals at the tournament.
After the France win, Spain coach De la Fuente said: “
