The best final in the history of the World Cups? : the debate that opens the great definition of Qatar 2022

The Qatar 2022 final remains in the history books. Argentina and France offered a high caliber spectacle. An unforgettable 3-3, whose definition on penalties ended up tipping the scales for the Albiceleste who conquered their third planetary crown. It wasn’t just a war of goals. It was a constant change of emotion. Because it generates football. Until the 80th minute, the South Americans led 2-0. Who would have thought that at 82′, the score would be 2-2? Probably not even the most optimistic of Gauls.

In the extension, the wind of feelings would persist. It seemed settled when Lionel Messi scored 3-2 at 109′. But his PSG partner would appear again to even out the shares. No one gave up. In addition to this, the two best footballers in the competition, the most prominent of the century and the leader of the new generation of cracks, were the figures of the afternoon. The seasonings were there and the expectations were more than met.

It’s no surprise that many people say it was the best World Cup final in football history. The variables are many, but, at least, in terms of in-game changes, in the 21st century, none come close. The definitions of the last two decades were closed or unilateral parties. He hadn’t hit a war target. Until now.

one by one, in 2002 it was 2-0 for Brazil against Germany , in 2006 the result was 1-1, then a penalty shootout between France and Italy the 2010 a 1-0 win for Spain over the Netherlands the same marker with which Germany beat Argentina in 2014 both, moreover, in extension. Whereas in Russia 2018 it was 4-2 for France against Croatia in a match where Didier Deschamps’ men were largely dominant.

In terms of goalscorers, the last two definitions of World Cup tournaments have had six conquests. However, living a 4-2 is not the same as a 3-3. Especially if at some point during the premiere the result was 4-1, proving that one cast was far superior to the other.

What other final has had six or more wins? History indicates that there are several. Starting from the beginning, In Uruguay 1930, La Celeste beat the Argentinian team 4-2. The same result by which Italy triumphed against Hungary in the 1938 tournament, played in France. Another 4-2, set in extra time in this case, was England’s over West Germany in 1966.

Of course, the final with the most conquests was a victory. Brazil won 5-2 over Sweden in 1958, when Pelé scored two goals aged just 17.

However, the number of goals is not necessarily the element that gives its status to a football match. It makes sense that if there are more of them, especially in an even match, the attractiveness increases. However, there are duels with few notes that are in the collective unconscious.

Each ending is a different story. But there is one that has been passed down for generations and its mysticism never ceases to amaze. to those hearing about this meeting for the first time. We are talking about Maracanazo from 1950. A duel which, strictly speaking, was not a final, but the last confrontation of a league. However, it took on the character of the “end of the world” as they were the two leaders in this round of the championship.

Brazil entered the duel with four units and Uruguay with three. Optimism reigned in Rio de Janeiro. Nobody doubted that it would be the first Scratch title, not even Jules Rimet himself, emblematic president of FIFA. But the unexpected happened. At this point, that goes without saying. But the charrúas won. Even when the tie served the canarinha to establish themselves, they were unsuccessful. Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia were the two-time champion country’s immortalized heroes.

If the result of the last game in 1950 left everyone unmoved, what was to happen four years later is not far behind. With, perhaps, less historical resonance, but just as much surprise. To speak of a match between Hungary and Germany, at least in the current context, is to refer to two teams with wide distance in relevance in the beautiful game.

But in 1954 things were different. West Germany was just holding on as a nation and football was not a priority then. The Hungarians, on the other hand, had their best generation of footballers. The so-called “Golden Team”. A nickname earned by the resonance of its creaks. Among them, Ferenc Puskás.

Teutonic painting was not among the favorites. Without going any further, in the group stage, Hungary had beaten them with an expressive score of 8-3. Even the most accurate seer had not foreseen that the Germans would get their first title in Switzerland. Less when they lost 2-0 after 8 minutes.

A goal from Max Morlock and two from Helmut Rahn completed the return of those led by Sepp Herberger, who were beginning their path to footballing glory. Without Switzerland 54, it is likely that the story of the German team will be different from what we know.

Twelve years later, the first final will be played with extra time. In England 1966 , the one we have already mentioned because of his number of goals. Of course, there were other elements. For example, the first hat-trick in a match of this kind. Artwork by Geoff Hurst. No one had repeated it, until Sunday, when Kylian Mbappé scored with three goals against Argentina.

The British, who were hosting the tournament for the moment for the only time, won 2-1 at Wembley. But Wolfgang Weber tied it in agony to force extra time. In half an hour, the English team scored two goals. Not without controversy, yes, since, until today, it has never been determined whether the ball went completely into third base.

Lionel Messi entered the fight for the place of best in history, disputed by Pelé and Diego Maradona. For stars of the 20th century to have this recognition, they must have achieved global fame. In the case of the Brazilian, it was three times. The last, in 1970, when Mexico witnessed what has been called the best team in history.

The Brazil of Jairzinho, Gérson, Tostão, Rivelino and, logically, Pelé, put on a show from start to finish on Aztec soil. They closed their splendid month by crushing Italy. An expressive 4-1 that we remember for the quality of those led by Mario Zagallo. An unforgettable final, according to the expression of one of the teams.

Sixteen years later, the same stadium saw the best version of Pelusa. Germany commanded by Franz Beckenbauer in the technical direction gave a hard time to the Argentina of Carlos Salvador Bilardo. The Transandean team led 2-0, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voeller equalized towards the end. It is likely that more than one of them had this memory when Mbappé scored 2-2 in Qatar.

But in the only game where Maradona was able to escape Lothar Matthaus’ mark, he left Jorge Burruchaga alone, who made it 3-2. For history and anecdote remains the anger of Carlos Bilardo, who, despite the victory, reproached his team for having conceded two goals after a corner. Something that, according to what the footballers said, they practiced with fervor.

With this Sunday, three finals have already been defined on penalties. This is the first time, yes, that this has happened in an open arc meeting. Before it was after a 0-0 and a 1-1. In 1994, Brazil and Italy died out in Los Angeles, USA. A final marked by heat and rare scoring opportunities. It was the Tetra Scratch who had great figures, but would not shine this afternoon.

On the other hand, the closing of Germany 2006, between Italy and France, had elements which will be remembered in the 120′. P For example, Zidane’s hashed penalty which was 1-0. Later he was linked by Marco Materazzi. In the end, the Azzurra won on penalties. Of course, there is another image that will remain in the general memory: the sending off of Zizou, after headbutting said Italian defender in the chest.

Even so, both definitions fell far short of presenting the emotions experienced during the Qatar 2022 farewell. Messi against Mbappé was the last dish of a World Cup full of surprises. The French star scored a hat-trick and even so couldn’t win the most valuable trophy. He already lifted it in 2018, however, a few friends’ faces after his fall were in plain sight.

La Pulga, at 35, has touched the cup it lacked. Succeed, for the first time in his career, to score in the final. And he did it twice. Before that had not been given. Against Brazil in 2007, Germany in 2014 and Chile in 2015 and 2016, the Albiceleste was blank. These are the lost finals. On the other hand, against the canarinha in 2021, the only goal was the work of Ángel Di María.

Lionel Messi’s exhibition against the Blues elevates him. A double in the World Cup final is not for everyone. Moreover, they talk about the best player of this century. Perhaps he already had his place, but with what he has achieved, his place at the table of Pelé and Maradona is indisputable. Added to this is that the final, showing what was done by the stars, was quite a spectacle for the neutrals.