Hugo Lloris and Cristian Romero ensure Spurs are represented at the 2022 World Cup Final
Ivan Perišic may have fallen at the last hurdle, but Hugo Lloris and Argentima's Cristian Romero ensured that Spurs will be represented at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar this Sunday. Lloris captained France to a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday night, and will now attempt to win back-to-back World Cups against Argentina this Sunday.
Although having Spurs players away from the club isn’t in the interests of manager Antonio Conte when planning their next set of games. It's a sign that the club is doing something right if one of your players is captaining a side in the World Cup final.
Hugo Lloris and his France team are the favourites to win
So can Lloris do it? Well, if the odds to win the 2022 World Cup are to be believed, then yes they can. Bookmakers make France the favourites, although not by much. In the betting to lift the trophy, France are 5/6, and Argentina is 10/11. That means the top football betting sites expect a close game, and they are probably right.
It’s a similar story in the betting to win in 90 minutes. France again are marginal favourites at 17/10, with Argentina at 9/5, and the draw at 19/10.
Is it time for Lionel Messi to finally win a World Cup?
So what is standing in the way of Lloris and a second successive World Cup winners medal? The obvious answer to this is a certain Lionel Messi.
As the competition has gone on, Messi seems to have grown with the idea that this is his time. His side struggled to defeat in their opening match against Saudi Arabia, and Messi looked a little forlorn at the end of their shock 2-1 defeat.
Since then, Argentina seems to have gone back to basics, and Messi has started to look like he believes again.
In past competitions, Argentina has had a talented squad, but they always looked to be missing an ingredient or two. One of those ingredients was self-belief, but since Argentina won the 2021 Copa America (Messi’s first-ever tournament win with his nation), the confidence must now be there.
And although it was missing in the opening stages of the group, that belief has certainly returned as the competition has evolved.
Reasons for Lloris to be confident
But what about Hugo Lloris and his France team? Instead of worrying about Messi, shouldn’t Argentina be more worried about the talent that France possesses?
France has lost no end of talent to injury, both before, and during the competition. And they can still put out a side capable of winning! The depth of talent is staggering, and they should fear nobody.
Is this going to affect Spurs this season?
Finally, how is this likely to affect Spurs? After Sunday’s final, there will be just over one week until Spurs take on Brentford when the Premier League resumes. Hugo Lloris is a consummate professional, and win or lose this Sunday, Antonio Conte may give him a few days off.
But Spurs fans know Lloris, and he will do what’s right for the club. It would be a huge surprise if he’s not ready for Brentford on Boxing Day.
Top of page | Spurs Odyssey Home Page
