Final Fixture

It’s Argentina vs. Spain in the World Cup Final.

Lionel Messi played the middle man in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback against England Wednesday, assisting on two goals in seven minutes (watch the winner).

Sunday’s final in New Jersey will be the first Cup final featuring reigning South American and European champions. The white-and-sky-blue could become the first repeat champs in 64 years, or La Roja could break their own fewest-tourney-concessions-by-a-champion record (2) with a shutout. Either way, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS will co-headline an 11-minute halftime show.

But first, France faces England in Miami in tomorrow’s sad trombone consolation match, where Kylian Mbappé could still reclaim toe-position in the Golden Boot race.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, the AL blanked the NL 4-0 at Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, the first shutout since 2013, with Yankee Cody Bellinger named MVP.

__

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
For many around the globe, the World Cup carries an almost life-and-death importance. Without downplaying that passion, Christians should hold on tight to the fact that the most important things aren’t being decided on the pitch; they were secured long ago when Jesus died to give new life and secure a glorious future.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)