Pumas, América and Chivas return to the field this Saturday

Dream finale in New York

The tournament that began on June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium comes to an end. Spain and Argentina compete this Sunday in the final of the first World Cup with 48 teams. The setting: the New York/New Jersey stadium, with the stands dyed white and blue, although the Spanish fans also make themselves felt.

The Albiceleste seeks the two-time championship, something that has not happened since Chile 1962, when Brazil managed to repeat. Lionel Scaloni could be the first coach to chain world titles in 88 years. Spain returns to a final 16 years after its first title in 2010, with that goal by Andrés Iniesta against the Netherlands.

Lionel Messi, with 21 goals in World Cups, aspires to surpass Kylian Mbappé (22) as the all-time leading scorer. To achieve this, you need two goals.

Heavy rains in the city

Before the game, New York experienced thunderstorms and flash flooding. According to the National Weather Service, between 5 and 10 centimeters of rain fell, with a forecast of up to 2.5 centimeters per hour. The alert due to risk to life was maintained during the afternoon of Saturday.

Passion in the streets

Fans took over Times Square. Nearly five thousand Argentine followers chanted “For the Malvinas, for Diego and the last of Leo” and “Boys, now we’re excited again.” Spain also made its previous flag. The most expensive World Cup in history culminates with 104 matches and a 23rd champion.

Mexico City. Esteban Solari’s debut at the head of Pumas did not go as expected. The university team fell 3-0 at the Olympic University against a Pachuca that took advantage of every mistake.

In just 11 minutes, the Tuzos already won. Elías Montiel opened the scoring in the 20th minute, after a serious error by Brazilian defender Nathan Silva. The Mexican player shot from outside the area and beat the goalkeeper.

Minutes later, Salomón Rondón extended the lead with a header. The Venezuelan gained position over Rubén Duarte and finished without problem. At halftime, the scoreboard already reflected the visitors’ superiority.

In the second half, Pumas showed a different attitude. They ran more, they fought, but without creating real danger. Pachuca’s defense, well planted, left no space. Carlos Moreno, visiting goalkeeper, had a quiet afternoon.

Near the end, Rondón appeared again. In the 80th minute, he scored his second goal of the afternoon and sealed the game. The local fans expressed their discontent with chants.

This result leaves Pumas at the bottom of the table on the first day. The team will have to correct quickly if it wants to compete in the tournament.

Mbappé, all-time top scorer in World Cups

French striker Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in France’s defeat against England (6-4) in the match for third place in the World Cup. With those goals, he reached 22 goals in his career in World Cups, surpassing Lionel Messi, who has 21.

Mbappé finished the tournament with 10 goals, two more than Messi in the fight for the Golden Boot. If Argentina does not get Messi to beat him in the final against Spain, Mbappé would be the first player to win that award twice.

“I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and play tomorrow’s game,” declared the attacker, referring to the final that France lost when they fell in the semifinals against Spain.

France was down 4-0 at halftime. Mbappé started the comeback by deflecting a shot over goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 48th minute. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also scored, and Michael Olise had two assists to set a tournament record of seven, surpassing Pelé (six in 1970).

Mbappé’s second goal came in the 66th minute with a left-footed shot from 14 meters. Thus he surpassed Messi’s 21 goals in World Cups.

“There were two very different halves,” Mbappé said. “In the first one, I can understand why some think we made a fool of ourselves. We were human, and we can’t afford it. We were stunned and they woke us up.”

The player pointed out that they wanted to win because of coach Didier Deschamps, who coached his last game as head of the national team. “We didn’t win, and it’s a shame for the coach. The first half gave the impression that we let him down. This game doesn’t tarnish his legacy.”

France won the World Cup in 2018 with Deschamps, lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties and was stopped by Spain in the semifinals of this edition.