MESSI TO MAKE THE LAST STEP IN HUGE FINAL

I'D always predicted Argentina to win it - and this is now Lionel Messi's moment.

- PHIL THOMPSON

The defeat against Saudi Arabia was a huge shock, although they've got better as the tournament has gone on.

They'd been on a sensational run before that Saudi game. Maybe it was simply a case of getting a defeat out of the way. I honestly think it was a strange blessing in disguise.

This isn't the best Argentina side in history by a long stretch.

But they've found a way and all the players are on a journey with Messi. It'll be his last hurrah - I can see him retiring not long after this.

He wants it desperately because those comparisons with Diego Maradona will never go away unless he wins this World Cup.