A dream World Cup Final trip with the perfect ending

Saturday 24 December 2022

When Matty Lovell was caring for his dad who had motor neurone disease, discussions would often turn to not letting life pass you by.

Before he died two years ago, his dad spoke of his regret of not going to the World Cup in 1966 when it was held in England.

“It was from then that I said that I wanted to go to a World Cup final,” said Mr Lovell.

What unfolded was spectacular, not only witnessing what has been described as the best ever final as Argentina beat France on penalties, but also meeting England and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden on the flight back and hearing him pledge that the squad would lift a major trophy.

“It was a complete blessing and a dream come true from something I was discussing with my dad to it actually happening,” he said.

“I think it was just a bit of taking that chance to say we're going to do it, make a commitment and obviously make some sacrifices. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Pictured: Matty Lovell with his dad.

Mr Lovell is a Liverpool fan and was at another key moment in football history when they won the Champions League in 2005 on penalties after coming back from three goals down against AC Milan in Istanbul.

Initially he and his friend Jo tried to book a World Cup final package with Qatar Airlines, but were stuck in a catch-22 situation because Jo’s passport did not have the required six months validity but could not be renewed.

By the time that was resolved the tickets had sold out.

“We just thought ‘well, it’s not going to happen’.”

In passing Mr Lovell mentioned the conversations with his dad to a travel agent friend Chris Bisson, who’s from Guernsey but now running Travelosophers from Panama.

“His dad was at the 1966 World Cup final. He said that he thought he could get me a ticket. I thought that was a bit of a flippant comment, but then he came back and said he had managed to get me two tickets for the final.”

Pictured: Inside the Lusail Stadium.

Mr Bisson arranged all the itinerary.

With the demand for accommodation in Qatar and costs so high, it was cheaper to stay in Dubai and fly in on the morning of the final.

It was a path a lot of other fans were taking with flights every half an hour.

Within the airport at Dubai there were dancers, people doing football tricks and football songs being played.

“But the one thing that I found, which was really, really cool, was that there were nationalities from all over the world and it just seemed that everybody was together.”

On the plane he sat next to someone from Morocco, a country which had made World Cup history by being the first Arab or African team to reach the semi-final.

Nearby there were people from Scotland, Gambia, Italy, Argentina and France.

They did not know each other’s names, but all shared a bond in football.

‘On the way to the fan zone it was unbelievable, people were singing and chanting from all different countries. In the restaurant there were Argentians and French people on tables next to each other. I don’t know if it’s because there wasn’t any alcohol that it played out to be a friendlier World Cup.”

There was a three-hour long build up in the stadium before the match.

Pictured: There was a three hour build-up inside the stadium before kick-off.

Mr Lovell and his friend were nearer the Argentinian fans end of the ground, singing along with limited Spanish and joining in their synchronised arm gestures.

The French fans were also in full voice.

“The atmosphere was just electric.”

What unfolded on the pitch has already gone down in history.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, took a two goal lead before France hit back with two quickfire goals from their star Kylian Mbappe with some ten minutes left.

Messi restored Argentina’s lead in extra time before Mbappe scored from the spot with two minutes left.

Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.

Pictured: Argentina and their fans celebrate.

“It was an emotional roller coaster,” said Mr Lovell.

“We were just saying, ‘is this seriously going on in front of us?’.”

He is yet to watch the final back.

“I wanted Argentina to win for Messi because I want him to have that accolade as the greatest player of all time. But then when France came back into it, I think I secretly switched to France because I thought, ‘what a game, what a comeback’. It had everything.”

They were at the end where the penalties took place, watching the players closely for signs of nerves as they walked up.

He was full of praise for Messi.

“We see odd games of Spanish football or French football, but you don't appreciate his workrate off the ball, the space that he constantly creates. The thing that amazed me most about him is how much of a leader he is, the encouragement, it just seemed that the Argentinian team was very much together and he was the focal point of it.”

When Argentina won the atmosphere was like an explosion, he said.

“I was looking at how happy all of the fans were and I was thinking to myself how happy I would be if England were to win the World Cup in my lifetime. The sheer joy of all of them, you had to cheer with them. Pure emotion.”

In the Dubai departure lounge, Mr Lovell spotted Phil Fodden with his family and friends.

Pictured: Matty Lovell and England midfielder Phil Foden.

He apologised for interrupting him and got talking, asking him why he did not take the second penalty which Harry Kane missed as England lost out to France in the quarterfinal.

“He turned around and said, ‘it’s Harry, we don’t expect him to miss’,” said Mr Lovell.

“He also said about the unbelievable confidence there was in the England camp, they did believe they were going to win it and that they’re going to win a tournament. I believe that they will do it.”

Their plane missed its take-off slot, allowing passengers to walk around in the cabin with more time to talk.

“It was just so refreshing to see how down to earth he was and that he had time to speak to everybody.”

Pictured: Luke Ayling, or Matty Lovell? 

Jo was talking to Foden’s friend and it turned out that initially there may have been some mistaken identity.

Mr Lovell bears an uncanny resemblance to Leeds defender Luke Ayling.

“His friend was laughing saying Phil thought I was Luke Ayling because he doesn’t actually know him and he wasn’t sure if I was him or not.”

Poignantly, Mr Lovell’s dad was a Manchester City fan. 

“It was the perfect end to the trip.”