ZWF: A dream come true Final
Zander's Weekend Facts #45: Sunday, December 18, 2022
If you were offered a Messi v. Mbappé World Cup Final at the beginning of this tournament, would you take it? (Hint: There’s a right answer to this question.)
Inside this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts, a look what this World Cup Final means for both Argentina and France, and a look at what Zander’s been reading this past week. Plus, a compilation of the top headlines from the last seven days.
Also, go listen to the latest episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast! Episode 86 features a World Cup Final preview with Zander’s Facts soccer analyst Emma Adams. Plus, the two recap everything up to now that has happened in the quadrennial tournament. Go download and listen to the Zander’s Facts podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
Here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, December 18, 2022:
The World Cup Final that means more than most
World Cup Finals are always massive. Every four years, the stakes are never higher.
But for some reason, the 2022 Final seems like it means more than any other.
Later this morning, Argentina will face France at 10:00 am et to decide who will win this year’s edition of the World Cup. The match can be watched on Fox in English and on Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish.
However, there’s a lot more on the line than just a trophy. There always is, national pride, legacies, and many more factors are always influenced by who can win this final match.
But the storylines in this edition are so fascinating.
On one side, a past power draped in their infamous light blue and white stripes who have long been dormant from making noise on the international stage.
Led by a 35-year-old from Rosario, Argentina, who's been hailed as one of the greats of this game, but just hasn’t done one thing. With a win today, Lionel Messi will be able to comfortably stake his claim atop the greats of his generation, in his fifth and final attempt at a World Cup title.
Then on the other side, a resurgent power who have the privilege of blazing their kit in gold this go-round. It’s certainly earned, considering they were the winners the last time that this match was played.
Led by more than just certainly one player, but the one who sticks out the most is just 23-years old. Paris-native Kylian Mbappé was a major part of France’s 2018 world title at just 19-years-old. Four years later, and he’s on the cusp of winning a second.
There is so much intrigue on both sides. Major history will be made no matter the winner.
With an Argentinean victory, La albiceleste will have captured their third World Cup title, but first since 1986. Messi will be able to place his name among another Argentinean great who led his country to the pinnacle of the sport. And despite the continent being known for its prosperity in the game, it would be the first time since Brazil in 2002 that a South American nation wins the World Cup, breaking a streak of four European triumphs.
With a French victory, we’ll see our first back-to-back World Cup champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and just third overall. Those Brazilian squads were also led by another all-time great, and Mbappé would almost certainly enter the discussion of all-timers. At just 23-years-old. Les Bleus would also clinch their third World Cup title, with the first coming in 1998.
It’s certainly possible we will be watching a passing of the torch between the generation that provided the world two unparalleled superstars, and the generation that hopes to break all the records they set.
It will be fascinating to watch which side will hoist the trophy after 90 minutes.
Zander’s prediction: Argentina 3 - France 2 (Extra Time)
Of course, we had to end with a fact. Do you know who the only non-European and non-South American nation is to have finished in the top three places of a World Cup? That would be the United States, when they finished third in 1930.
What Zander’s been reading this week
“I am the terminator,” says the sun. Research suggests that the sun could soon experience a burst in activity and sunspots. What does it mean? Check out the following article:
Check out this week’s featured article on Newsweek - Sun Could Be Heading Towards 'Terminator' Event (Article on Apple News)
Rapid-fire Facts
The top news headlines from the past week in rapid-fire fashion:
January 6 Committee: The House January 6 Committee is set to hold its final public meeting on Monday. The Committee, which will dissolve at the end of the month, is expected to vote on criminal referrals for several individuals in relation to their involvements with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Two charges, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the United States, are expected to be referred by the Committee against former President Donald Trump. The referrals will be sent to the Justice Department and do not carry any legal weight, meaning DOJ is not required to act on them.
Christmas Storm: A major winter storm may hit the eastern half of the U.S. just before Christmas. Starting on Thursday, the Plains states are expected to see freezing temperatures and snow before the system shifts to the east on Friday and Saturday. While high-confidence forecasts are still a few days away, the storms have the potential to cause travel chaos later this week.
Federal Reserve: The consumer price index rose by its lowest levels this year in November. From one year ago, prices rose 7.1%, while prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. November’s numbers continued the trend of lower inflation rates from the summer, but still far from the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2%. Also this week, the Federal Reserve announced another increase to its benchmark interest rate. Rates now stand at 4.25%-4.5%, their highest level since late 2007.
Twitter: Elon Musk’s Twitter continues to draw controversy, after Musk suspended several high-profile journalists from the platform this week. The suspensions were related to reporting on an infamous account that tracked the location of Musk’s jet, which was also suspended this week. While many of the accounts were reinstated by Saturday, the moves drew condemnation from many, including the United Nations and European Union.
Sam Bankman-Fried: Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas earlier this week. Once seen as the most powerful man in cryptocurrency, Bankman-Fried is expected to be extradited to the U.S., where he has eight separate charges awaiting. Additionally, federal prosecutors are investigating political donations that were made by Bankman-Fried and other crypto executives.
Zander’s Facts Sporting Club
The top headlines from the sports world in the ZF Sporting Club:
NFL Week 15: This week marked the beginning of Saturday NFL football, with three games taking place yesterday. The Vikings overcame a 33-point deficit, the largest in NFL history, to defeat the Colts 36-33, The Browns took down the Ravens 13-3, and the Bills were able to beat the Dolphins on a last-second field goal in the snow, 32-29. On Thursday, the 49ers held off the Seahawks 21-13 to clinch the NFC West title. In today’s action, the Lions take on the Jets, the Cowboys face the Jaguars, and the Eagles face the Bears at 1:00 pm et. At 4:00 pm et, the Titans take on the Chargers while the Bengals play the Buccaneers. On Sunday night, it’s two NFC East teams at 7-5-1 with the Giants and Commanders squaring off, and the Rams play the Packers on Monday night.
MLB Free Agency: December has not been a quiet month for news in Major League Baseball. The free agency period of the offseason has brought lots of intrigue and major deals. Some of the biggest moves include Aaron Judge staying with the Yankees for $360 million, as well as Trea Turner and Carlos Correa each getting $300 million deals from the Phillies and Giants, respectively.
Steph Curry and the Warriors: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was diagnosed with a left shoulder subluxation this week and is expected to be out for at least two weeks. The defending champions hope to get Curry back as soon as possible, as the team currently sits in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 14-16 record.
LIV Golf: After just one year on the job, LIV Golf COO and President Atul Khosla has resigned. Khosla was seen by many as a voice of reason within the extremely controversial LIV tour, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. It was reported by the U.K.’s The Telegraph that Khosla quit after an argument with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Also this week, LIV announced
College Football Bowls: This weekend marked the beginning of college football’s bowl season. Two games began the 42-game slate on Friday, with the only bowl outside of the U.S. kicking off the action. In the Bahamas Bowl, UAB knocked off Miami (OH) 24-20, while #24 Troy defeat #25 UTSA 18-12 in the Cure Bowl. On Saturday, the only non-FBS bowl, the Celebration Bowl, featured North Carolina Central taking down Deion Sanders’ Jackson State 41-34 in overtime. Also on Saturday, BYU took down SMU 24-23 in the New Mexico Bowl, #14 Oregon State thumped Florida 30-3 in the Las Vegas Bowl, and Louisville beat Cincinnati 24-7 in the Fenway Bowl. This coming week, each day except for Sunday features at least one bowl game.
Wrapping up the Facts
Before this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast. Download and listen to the latest episode of the podcast, along with every episode of Zander’s Facts, wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out Zander’s Facts’ Linktree page for more on everything Zander’s Facts related, including the all-new Zander’s Facts website. At ZandersFacts.com, get the latest on all the facts that Zander is putting out, and check out the freshest styles at the Zander’s Facts shop!
You can also listen to every episode of the podcast on this very website. All Zander’s Facts podcast episodes are now available on zandersfacts.substack.com under the “Zander’s Facts” tab for your enjoyment. That includes the next episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast, which comes out this Wednesday!
That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The Facts in print return next Sunday, December 25, 2022.
