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Read more on the big match between Argentina and France here.
December 17, 2022 coverage of the World Cup
By Matt Meyer, Adrienne Vogt and Issy Ronald, CNN
Updated 1958 GMT (0358 HKT) December 17, 2022
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"We want to write our own story": France's coach and captain weigh in on Messi's last World Cup match
A titan of the sport will make his last World Cup appearance in Sunday's final between Argentina and France, but Lionel Messi's opponents haven't conceded the spotlight.
The reigning champion Les Bleus will look to create their own entry in the history books. They have a chance to become the first back-to-back tournament winners since Brazil in the late '50s and early '60s.
"I know that the Argentines, Messi, some people — maybe some French people too — would like to see (Messi get the title) ... but we're not necessarily OK with that, so we'll do everything we can to get what we want," French coach Didier Deschamps told reporters Saturday.
"It's a final between two big nations of football, between Argentina and France," added Hugo Lloris, the French captain and goalkeeper. "Obviously when you face that type of player you need a special focus on him, but it's not only about him, you know?"
"We want to write our own story and we want to finish it in the best way possible," Lloris said.
Argentina coach says you can't reduce the World Cup final to Messi vs Mbappé
It's impossible to ignore the storyline: Argentina soccer legend Lionel Messi is playing in his final World Cup match Sunday against Kylian Mbappé, the 23-year-old superstar who is quickly becoming the face of the game.
But in remarks to the media Saturday, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni downplayed the superstar faceoff, emphasizing that tomorrow's World Cup final is a team game.
"Tomorrow’s game is Argentina against France; it’s not about Messi and Mbappé. We believe that both teams have the necessary weapons for the game to be decided by other players, not necessarily either one of them," Scaloni said. "On our side, Messi is very well and we hope that it ends up falling on our side, but this is a game between Argentina and France and there are plenty of players who can decide the game."
The coach added about the opposing side's superstar:
"France is not only Mbappé. He is a great player. I think they have other players that assist him and make him a better player. He is one of the best players, he is still young and he will continue improving, there is no doubt about that."
Perhaps underlining Scaloni's point is the race for the Golden Boot. While Messi and Mbappé currently are in the lead for most goals in the tournament, a pair of teammates are close behind them. Argentina's Julián Álvarez and France's Olivier Giroud have scored four times apiece, putting them just one goal behind their squads' headlining stars.
Luka Modrić and his Croatia teammates receive bronze medals
Croatia captain Luka Modrić, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in soccer history, led his team onto a podium for a brief medal ceremony after securing the third-place finish at Qatar 2022.
Croatia beats Morocco to finish 3rd at Qatar 2022
Croatia held on to its 2-1 lead in a tense, scoreless second half, defeating Morocco 2-1 to claim a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup.
Both teams showed serious effort in a consolation match that hasn't always seen peak competition at previous tournaments.
Morocco finishes its history-making run in fourth place — but the team still made it far deeper in the tournament than most analysts anticipated.
And it's another strong showing for Croatia, the eternal underdog, which can now count consecutive World Cups in the final four.
Croatia still leads but there's a tense finale ahead
It has been a long World Cup campaign for both teams and the fatigue is starting to show, with several players leaving the pitch injured.
Morocco is still searching for an equalizer and almost pulled one back when Youssef En-Nesyri hammered one toward the goal. Only a brilliant save from Dominik Livaković maintained Croatia's slim lead.
It's still all to play for in these final minutes!
This exciting showdown continues a trend of high-scoring consolation matches
Third-place contests at previous iterations of the World Cup have also had their share of action, FIFA pointed out in a tweet:
Second half begins with Morocco looking for an equalizer
We have kickoff in the second half of this third-place faceoff, with Croatia leading Morocco 2-1.
After an exciting first half, which saw back-to-back goals in the early minutes of the match, the Atlas Lions are looking to find the back of the net as the Vatreni seek to maintain their dominance on the pitch.
The first half ends with Croatia leading Morocco 2-1
What a half of soccer!
Croatia leads Morocco 2-1 as the halftime whistle blows.
