May 23, 1998. According to chap clarion, Fernando De la Rúa faced his first crisis as head of government of the city of Buenos Aires before winning the next election for the nation’s president; an earthquake in Bolivia left 1,000 missing; and the AFA Clausura championship (which would go on to be won by Marcelo Bielsa’s Vélez) had been halted by hooliganism following an unprecedented intervention by Justice. A 17 days before the start of the World Cup in France, and in that same country, a group of youngsters gave the blow against the Roosters in the final of the tournament Toulon hopes, at that time showcase of future cracks. Here they are, among others, Lionel Scaloni Y Walter Samuel who, next Sunday, will try to repeat that victory but this time on the other side of the lime line.

That team led by José Néstor Pekerman was Under 21. It also had Juan Román Riquelme and Francisco ‘Panchito’ Guerrero, other pillars of the Under 20 world title in Malaysia 1997. It was the last time an Argentine national team prevailed in that contest, currently renamed Maurice Revello.

That evening in Toulon, Pekerman lined up Scaloni and Samuel, one in right midfield and the other in central defence. The complete eleven formats with Albano Bizzarri; Fabián Cubero, Leandro Cufré, Walter Samuel, Germán Rivarola; Lionel Scaloni, Diego Markic, Pablo Guiñazú; Juan Roman Riquelme; Francis Guerrero Y Diego Quintana.

For this reason, in the preview of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, this memory will surely have unlocked itself in the coach born in Pujato, Santa Fe. Argentina had lost to their final rivals 3-0 in their second group stage match of the tournament (they beat South Africa 1-0 on their opener), but bounced back (just like in Qatar) and reached the final against hosts France.

A goal by Panchito Guerrero after a ‘pavota’ goal like in foosball gave those led by Pekerman the lead, who immediately increased the lead on set pieces. Execution of Riquelme from a corner from the right and left-footed by Walter Samuel, who beats his marker on the spot.

Albiceleste thus ended up celebrating the sixth chronological Scudetto under Pekerman’s management, which paradoxically was also consecrated remotely with the Under 17 team, on the same day, at the Mundialito in Salerno, also beating host Italy by 2- 1.

For those who love coincidences, here’s one: in the final of the Esperanzas de Toulon tournament, he wore the number ’18’ shirt, the same date on which the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be defined.

The now DT of the Albiceleste intends to overcome the French again in a final to win Argentina’s third title in a World Cup for seniors, after 1978 and Mexico 1986.