Then there were two, but so many stories around them

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( December 16, 2022 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Then there were two, but so many stories around them Argentina feeling serene - and ready As the [world turns to Leo Messi again,]( for what would must be one of the most willing [World Cup victories](, there has been some tension about a moment not seen by quite so many. That was in the first half of the semi-final win over Croatia, as the Argentina captain was seen visibly rubbing his leg, and then running gingerly throughout. His old friend Sergio Aguero was so concerned he asked about it in the dressing room afterwards. Messi insisted it was just a bang, and no longer hurts. That could be seen in how his movement wasn’t affected in the slightest for one of [the moments of the World Cup](, that run that threw back the years and threw off Josko Gvardiol to set up Julian Alvarez. The Argentina squad instead feel fresh. Many are pointing to another player who was in the 2014 squad, but has not had many minutes in the last two weeks. That is Angel Di Maria, who feels he has a point to prove. Truly shocking team news for France? Surely not... [Didier Deschamps caused a flurry of excitement](when he refused to answer a question on Karim Benzema’s potential return for the final, but what is more interesting is how different people connected to the squad interpreted it. Some of course did take it as an indirect admission Deschamps has considered it. Others felt it was an indication he really didn’t want to get into the wider discussion of what it means for the team, and the squad dynamics. [There is a strong feeling within the French squad that it is actually Benzema’s absence that has worked for the team.]( Playing for immortality, but not for keeps [Even though one of France]( or Argentina will win their World Cup on Sunday - and, specifically, their third of this World Cup trophy - they will not get to keep it. That was something that was changed after Brazil got to keep the old Jules Rimet trophy from 1970. Germany have actually won this version of the trophy three times, but this is the one they lifted in 2014. These are the sort of details and even pieces of trivia that add up to the most thrilling and prestigious day in all of sport. The World Cup final is very rarely a good game, but there is still nothing like it. It is the stakes that make it, that awareness that any small moment could now have the greatest consequences. Politics around Brazil elimination continue [This World Cup has moved at such a pace](that there has barely been time and space for a story to take hold before we’re onto a bigger one. In Brazil, though, the recriminations continue. The manager is already gone, with the World Cup’s five-time winners now expected to appoint Fernando Diniz. If appointed, one of the questions will be how he works with Neymar. The Independent has been told of pretty deep discussions around the Brazil squad, and an increasing feeling that Tite should have taken off Neymar long before the end of the Croatia game - or perhaps not started him at all. While the Paris Saint-Germain forward did score a superb late goal, there’s a belief that came from an individualism that meant it was a harder game for the team as a whole. Many around the Brazil camp watched with some regret as Argentina so easily beat Croatia. [There has been some debate around Diniz in Brazil, too, but he’s already had one influential figure lobby for his appointment: Neymar](. The Super League almost totally defeated As virtually everyone in football [declared “total victory” for Uefa in the latest stage of the legal process](by the [European Super League clubs](, there was one hold-out. The sports management company working with the clubs, A22, released a social media post pointing to one specific line from the release. “Advocate General [Athanasios] Rantos states: UEFA is the dominant organiser of all major interclub competitions and bears ‘special responsibility’ to ensure no third parties are unduly denied access to the market.” Many were describing it as “clutching at straws”. In order to get what they want now, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus would really have to grasp the nettle. They would have to leave the entire structure of the game. They were actually asked why they didn’t do that in the hearing, given they had billions of pounds in funding. No answer was forthcoming.   Top stories Fifa to expand Club World Cup to 32 teams from 2025]( [Portugal coach Fernando Santos leaves role after World Cup exit](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](.   Miguel's Dispatches While this part of the newsletter is usually reserved for little details from being on the road as a football reporter - and there is nothing like attending a World Cup final - I feel it is only appropriate that this week it pays tribute to Grant Wahl. Like many who attend international tournaments, I came to knew him a bit, and he was always friendly and helped me out in any way he could. He was a good man, as both his work in this World Cup and the testaments to him showed. It is quite a striking thought that the Argentina-Netherlands quarter-final will go down as a classic, and yet for those of us in the press box that night it will always be associated with Grant. There was a book of condolences at the stadiums for the semi-final, that was of course filled. Rest in peace.     QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Earlier days offer sudden death, but this is the only one that offers immortality.” A beautiful line from the late Hugh McIllvanney on the World Cup final that I always feel is worth repeating in the last build-up   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz Before Leo Messi, there were 28 players who had played in a World Cup final and lost, and were then in the match-day squad for another. Of those, 13 got on the pitch again and rectified defeat by winning the World Cup game. Name them. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   INDYBEST /BEST SPORTS BUY]( England World Cup kit 2022: Where to buy the home and away shirts so you can roar on the Lions [Click here for more details](   Essential reading World Cup’s tears and tantrums vindicate the four-year cycle](   [World Cup 2022: Best moments, disappointments and players of the tournament in Qatar](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Sports Brief] Sports Brief Every Monday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Ben Burrows [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. 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