Why is it the all-time final between the South American giants?

Who hasn’t dreamed of playing at least one World Cup final in any sport? Who has not dreamed of doing it against Brazil? Who hasn’t dreamed – perhaps more recently – of playing in that final after eliminating France in semis, in agonizing form? All of this, and for the first time at the senior level in a collective discipline, managed The Argentine National Team in the Futsal World Cupafter beating the Gauls in dramatic fashion 3-2 in the modern classic that was born with football in Qatar 2022 and meet with their historic South American classic in the title match next Sunday in Uzbekistan.

“It is a dream come true again and we are in another world final, destiny gives us a new opportunity and we hope that this time it falls on our side”he assured Matias Lucuixthe coach of the Albiceleste, who was a technical assistant in the Colombia 2016 title and head coach in the Lithuania 2021 runner-up.

There is plenty of precedent between Argentina and Brazil at different levels. Even in soccer there was definition in World Cups but in youth categories. But never, in any of the most renowned collective disciplines, did it occur at a higher level. In adapted sport, Los Murciélagos of blind football faced the ‘Verdeamarela’ five times in the decisive match of an ecumenical tournament.

So, what will happen next Sunday starting at 12:00 in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, will be unique. It will be the final of all time.

“It’s the game of dreams. I would change many finals to play on Sunday”he confessed to Clarion Brazilian Alessandro Rosa Vieira, better known as Falcaotwice world champion (2008 and 2012) and four times chosen as the best player in the world in this modality.

“Anyone would dream of playing a world final with Brazil. It was demonstrated at what level South America is. There is a lot of talk about the differences between futsal on one side and the other. It has been proven that we have to talk less and work more. We are very proud of our federations and I hope they enjoyed the match,” he analyzed. Nicolas Sarmientobastion of the Albiceleste arch.

It will generate invaluable expectations, much more than what futsal has been able to generate in its 38 years of history since its arrival in FIFA. And everyone in the Albiceleste concentration is aware of that, while the victory over France is celebrated with great euphoria.

Because he had to suffer a lot. Almost as much as Brazil in the other semifinal against Ukraine. It was an almost mirror definition of both games, with a double penalty with just a few minutes remaining.

The accumulation of five fouls in the second half condemned the French, who in their first World Cup participation made history and will go for third place against the Ukrainians, starting at 9:30 (Argentine time) on the same Sunday. For both of them it will be their best performance in World Cups.

Kevin Arrietawho had converted a penalty at the start of the match, was the hero of the Albiceleste, finishing the ball with his left foot from ten meters, after the sixth foul that he intelligently took Lucas Bolo to one of the French.

Angel Claudinowho was chosen the MVP of the match as in the quarterfinals against Kazakhstan, was the author of the second goal for the Albiceleste led by Matías Lucuixafter a notable ‘pasture’ play by Cristian ‘Titi’ Borruto.

Nicholas Menendezwith a powerful left foot, and Mamadou Tourecapitalizing on a rebound, had tied twice for the French, who were booed at various times by the fans in the stands, remembering the mistake they played against Iran in the group stage, in which they allowed themselves to score a goal to avoid Brazil or Spain in the direct elimination stage.

There are two close and important antecedents against Brazil. One, favorable, in the semis of the 2021 World Cup in Lithuania, when the Albiceleste won 2-1. The other in the final of the Copa América last February, which served as Qualifiers for this tournament, when Verdeamarela celebrated (2-0).

Brazil for the sixth star, Argentina for the second, in the final of all time.