Messi eyes glorious farewell as Spain, Argentina clash in World Cup final
Argentina and Spain are set to face off in the FIFA World Cup final, marking a historic match that features Lionel Messi's potential final World Cup appearance. The event will include a high-profile halftime show and will be attended by global figures.
Why it matters
The World Cup final is a major global cultural and sporting event that draws massive international attention and economic impact.
Spanish elan meets Argentinian steel in a historic World Cup final on Sunday which sees the reigning champions of Europe and South America battle for football's ultimate prize.
Holders Argentina are bidding to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, in what is almost certainly the final World Cup match of captain Lionel Messi's career.
Spain are aiming to thwart those ambitions by clinching the country's second World Cup crown following their maiden victory in 2010.
#FIFAWorldCup Final state of mind 🏙️ pic.twitter.com/anJluCTyYw
US President Donald Trump will be among a star-studded crowd of just over 80 000 spectators at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford as the largest World Cup in history reaches its climax.
World Cup officials have said they are "monitoring closely" air quality from Canadian wildfires affecting the region around the final, which kicks off at 3pm local time.
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