Here it is then, the culmination of this year's Draft World Cup. The 64th game of the finals - I dread to count how many qualifying games came before.
This is how the knockout stages have unfolded:
This is how the knockout stages have unfolded:
As you can see, goals have not been scarce in this year's DWC, not least in yesterday's third-place play-off, which frankly just made me skeptical of FM19's match engine.
Anyway, we have Germany and France here to contest the final. For Germany, it is a chance to add to their 2017 trophy, whilst France will be competing in their first-ever final. France do already hold the Women's DWC trophy, as well as the real-life World Cup.
In theory, this should be an extremely close encounter, but I thought that ahead of France vs Italy.
Route to the final
Germany were not great in qualifying, dropping too many points and ultimately being forced into the play-offs, where they overcame Switzerland 5-1 on aggregate. In the finals they secured a quick qualification by beating South Africa and Colombia, and a win over Costa Rica ensured it was 9 points from 9.
In the knockout rounds Germany were clinical in dismantling Chile 5-1. They then defeated the reigning champions Spain 2-0 with a defensively solid display. Then came an all-time classic against England. Germany found themselves 2-0 down and outplayed at half time, but an incredible Marco Reus goal just after the break gave them hope. He added a second midway through the half, and finally grabbed his hat-trick in the final minute of normal time to seal an outstanding comeback.
France, meanwhile, were sumptuous in qualifying, winning all 10 games. They were less convincing in the group stage, as a narrow win over Libya was followed by a defeat to China. This left things in the balance, but a good win over Bulgaria secured progression.
After that minor scare, France made the most of their survival by notching 4 goals in each of their knockout fixtures. Firstly a naive Canadian side were brushed aside, before Italy were utterly dismantled. Then a see-saw semi-final saw Brazil edge out 4-2.
Team news
Pleasingly, neither team will be missing any players through suspension or injury.
Unsurprisingly, Kingsley Coman replaces Leon Bailey after his game-changing substitute appearance in the semi-final. Otherwise, Germany are unchanged. Robert Lewandowski is one behind tournament top-scorer Harry Kane.
Despite a very poor performance against Brazil, Thiago Silva keeps his place in the French defence. Despite contemplating a switch to a more defensive formation, France keep the same side that faced Brazil.
Anyway, we have Germany and France here to contest the final. For Germany, it is a chance to add to their 2017 trophy, whilst France will be competing in their first-ever final. France do already hold the Women's DWC trophy, as well as the real-life World Cup.
In theory, this should be an extremely close encounter, but I thought that ahead of France vs Italy.
Route to the final
Germany were not great in qualifying, dropping too many points and ultimately being forced into the play-offs, where they overcame Switzerland 5-1 on aggregate. In the finals they secured a quick qualification by beating South Africa and Colombia, and a win over Costa Rica ensured it was 9 points from 9.
In the knockout rounds Germany were clinical in dismantling Chile 5-1. They then defeated the reigning champions Spain 2-0 with a defensively solid display. Then came an all-time classic against England. Germany found themselves 2-0 down and outplayed at half time, but an incredible Marco Reus goal just after the break gave them hope. He added a second midway through the half, and finally grabbed his hat-trick in the final minute of normal time to seal an outstanding comeback.
France, meanwhile, were sumptuous in qualifying, winning all 10 games. They were less convincing in the group stage, as a narrow win over Libya was followed by a defeat to China. This left things in the balance, but a good win over Bulgaria secured progression.
After that minor scare, France made the most of their survival by notching 4 goals in each of their knockout fixtures. Firstly a naive Canadian side were brushed aside, before Italy were utterly dismantled. Then a see-saw semi-final saw Brazil edge out 4-2.
Team news
Pleasingly, neither team will be missing any players through suspension or injury.
Unsurprisingly, Kingsley Coman replaces Leon Bailey after his game-changing substitute appearance in the semi-final. Otherwise, Germany are unchanged. Robert Lewandowski is one behind tournament top-scorer Harry Kane.
Despite a very poor performance against Brazil, Thiago Silva keeps his place in the French defence. Despite contemplating a switch to a more defensive formation, France keep the same side that faced Brazil.
Lewandowski kicks it back, and the 2019 Draft World Cup final is underway!
Germany get the ball upfield and win an early corner. It's cleared as far as Mats Hummels, who plays it to Axel Witsel. He clips a delicate ball to the far post, and Coman out-jumps Juan Bernat, and his header drifts into the far corner! Germany have a lead 60 seconds in!
Germany get the ball upfield and win an early corner. It's cleared as far as Mats Hummels, who plays it to Axel Witsel. He clips a delicate ball to the far post, and Coman out-jumps Juan Bernat, and his header drifts into the far corner! Germany have a lead 60 seconds in!
France have some sighters from range, before Germany nearly double their lead as Reus headers over following Joshua Kimmich's cross.
As well as the game's first goal, Coman picks up the game's first yellow card in the 18th minute for a shove at a German corner.
Nabil Fekir bends a free kick wide, as France begin to get further forward. A few minutes later Kylian Mbappé fires in a cross towards Edinson Cavani, but the Uruguayan is clattered by Hummels, and it's a French penalty! Cavani himself has been excellent from the spot this tournament, and it's he to take... scored in the bottom-left corner! We're all square!
As well as the game's first goal, Coman picks up the game's first yellow card in the 18th minute for a shove at a German corner.
Nabil Fekir bends a free kick wide, as France begin to get further forward. A few minutes later Kylian Mbappé fires in a cross towards Edinson Cavani, but the Uruguayan is clattered by Hummels, and it's a French penalty! Cavani himself has been excellent from the spot this tournament, and it's he to take... scored in the bottom-left corner! We're all square!
By the way, that was Cavani's seventh of the tournament, putting him level with Lewandowski one away from Kane.
France look for a quick second, and earn a corner. However, Germany clear it and are able to relieve the spell of pressure. At the other end Germany have a throw-in. Kimmich plays a one-two with Coman and curls in a cross. It's missed by everyone, including Gianluigi Buffon and hits the post! Before any defenders can react, Lewandowski pounces to poke into an empty net and restore Germany's lead! What a bizarre goal!
France look for a quick second, and earn a corner. However, Germany clear it and are able to relieve the spell of pressure. At the other end Germany have a throw-in. Kimmich plays a one-two with Coman and curls in a cross. It's missed by everyone, including Gianluigi Buffon and hits the post! Before any defenders can react, Lewandowski pounces to poke into an empty net and restore Germany's lead! What a bizarre goal!
France look a bit loose with the ball, maybe the pressure is beginning to tell. In the 34th minute Germany have a free kick just inside the French half. James Rodríguez plays a floated ball to the back post, where Jérome Boateng has peeled away, and he slots it home to make it 3-1!
In keeping with the theme of this year's tournament, we've had four goals from just eight shots. I am viewing this with comprehensive highlights on, and yet it feels like a goals compilation. Those last three goals were within eight minutes of each other.
It should be four in nine, as Mbappé picks the ball up from kick-off, and waltzes through the German defence, playing Cavani in, but Neuer makes a fine block!
The game does eventually settle down, and we have about ten minutes of peace. In the final minute of the half Coman plays a nice one-two with Reus, allowing him into the box, but Buffon makes a good block. Following the corner Fekir gives away a free kick right on the edge of the box, but Rodríguez puts it wide, and that's half time.
Shot location is a hugely important factor, and both teams' ability to get shots away from close-in is probably the main reason we've so many goals given how few shots there's been.
It should be four in nine, as Mbappé picks the ball up from kick-off, and waltzes through the German defence, playing Cavani in, but Neuer makes a fine block!
The game does eventually settle down, and we have about ten minutes of peace. In the final minute of the half Coman plays a nice one-two with Reus, allowing him into the box, but Buffon makes a good block. Following the corner Fekir gives away a free kick right on the edge of the box, but Rodríguez puts it wide, and that's half time.
Shot location is a hugely important factor, and both teams' ability to get shots away from close-in is probably the main reason we've so many goals given how few shots there's been.
Fekir hasn't had a great game, and he is replaced by Luis Gustavo. This seemingly-defensive change is aimed to give France greater control in midfield. Will it work?
France get the ball upfield, and a clumsy challenge by Rodríguez sees him pick up a yellow and give away a free kick near the corner flag. Neymar's cross is spilled by Manuel Neuer. It comes to Cavani, who lays it off to Mbappé. He goes for the near corner, but Neuer is wise to it and makes a good save! From the corner Cavani fires over. It's a good start for France, but they need goals not chances now.
Germany again manage to get through this spell of pressure. They go to make their first change in the 59th minute, Thomas Muller coming on for the booked Rodríguez. But before he can come on, Neymar puts Cavani clean through with a very smart pass. Cavani holds his nerve to beat Neuer and reduce the deficit to one!
France get the ball upfield, and a clumsy challenge by Rodríguez sees him pick up a yellow and give away a free kick near the corner flag. Neymar's cross is spilled by Manuel Neuer. It comes to Cavani, who lays it off to Mbappé. He goes for the near corner, but Neuer is wise to it and makes a good save! From the corner Cavani fires over. It's a good start for France, but they need goals not chances now.
Germany again manage to get through this spell of pressure. They go to make their first change in the 59th minute, Thomas Muller coming on for the booked Rodríguez. But before he can come on, Neymar puts Cavani clean through with a very smart pass. Cavani holds his nerve to beat Neuer and reduce the deficit to one!
France are the better team this half, although Germany nearly nick a goal at the other end as Reus' corner deflects off Dani Alves and Thiago to force a fine stop from Buffon - although there was a German foul in the build-up anyway.
In the 68th minute Kimmich again puts in a lovely cross. Reus gets enough on his header to force Buffon into another good save, but it comes back to Reus. Somehow Buffon is back on his feet and able to make a brilliant second block! Will that prove crucial?
France make their second change. Ángel Di María replaces Adrien Rabiot, whilst Reus picks up Germany's third booking of the game.
In the 70th minute France have a free kick in a similar position to the German one that lead to Boateng's goal. And the similarities don't stop there, as Neymar floats it to the far post for Thiago Silva to fire in an equaliser for France! They've done it!
In the 68th minute Kimmich again puts in a lovely cross. Reus gets enough on his header to force Buffon into another good save, but it comes back to Reus. Somehow Buffon is back on his feet and able to make a brilliant second block! Will that prove crucial?
France make their second change. Ángel Di María replaces Adrien Rabiot, whilst Reus picks up Germany's third booking of the game.
In the 70th minute France have a free kick in a similar position to the German one that lead to Boateng's goal. And the similarities don't stop there, as Neymar floats it to the far post for Thiago Silva to fire in an equaliser for France! They've done it!
As we enter the final quarter of an hour, Thiago's underwhelming game is ended as he is replaced by Charles Aránguiz.
It's nervy now, and France appear to be marginally on top, with Alves and Mbappé both force desperate blocks. Germany retreat to a 4-4-1-1 formation, coincidentally the formation they used when they won the 2017 tournament.
As we enter four minutes of added time France win a corner. It lands at the feet of Marquinhos, whose instinctive volley is over the bar! That was a big chance!
From the goal-kick Germany keep it in their own half. Suddenly, Reus curls a lovely ball over the top of the defence. Lewandowski runs on to it, but Bernat seems to be getting there first. But he's outmuscled by Lewandowski, who is suddenly up against Buffon, and fires it home to surely win the trophy for Germany!!!
It's nervy now, and France appear to be marginally on top, with Alves and Mbappé both force desperate blocks. Germany retreat to a 4-4-1-1 formation, coincidentally the formation they used when they won the 2017 tournament.
As we enter four minutes of added time France win a corner. It lands at the feet of Marquinhos, whose instinctive volley is over the bar! That was a big chance!
From the goal-kick Germany keep it in their own half. Suddenly, Reus curls a lovely ball over the top of the defence. Lewandowski runs on to it, but Bernat seems to be getting there first. But he's outmuscled by Lewandowski, who is suddenly up against Buffon, and fires it home to surely win the trophy for Germany!!!
France have to go all-out, and they go to a 4-2-4 (or even a 2-4-4?), whilst Germany replace Coman with Corentin Tolisso as they sit back in a 4-1-4-1.
With expert time-wasting, Germany run down the clock. France get a final chance to attack, but they have to start with a free kick in their own box. They work it forward, nearly losing it a few times. Eventually, Alves fires in a vicious cross and Di María meets it at the far post... but it's straight at Neuer who holds it! It's the very last kick of the match, and the final whistle confirms that GERMANY ARE THE 2019 DRAFT WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
Final score: Germany 4-3 France
Player of the match: Robert Lewandowski
What a final! The first time we've had had two of the 'big 5' teams in the final, and it didn't disappoint! France did excellently to come back, but it wasn't enough, and one lapse in defence by Bernat has decided the best DWC final we've had. With the epic semi-finals, you probably have to say this has been the best DWC yet.
With expert time-wasting, Germany run down the clock. France get a final chance to attack, but they have to start with a free kick in their own box. They work it forward, nearly losing it a few times. Eventually, Alves fires in a vicious cross and Di María meets it at the far post... but it's straight at Neuer who holds it! It's the very last kick of the match, and the final whistle confirms that GERMANY ARE THE 2019 DRAFT WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
Final score: Germany 4-3 France
Player of the match: Robert Lewandowski
What a final! The first time we've had had two of the 'big 5' teams in the final, and it didn't disappoint! France did excellently to come back, but it wasn't enough, and one lapse in defence by Bernat has decided the best DWC final we've had. With the epic semi-finals, you probably have to say this has been the best DWC yet.
Returning to the final for a moment, it's hard to pinpoint where the final was won, because it was such an even match. France seemed to shade the second half after Gustavo came on, even though he wasn't directly involved in much attacking play. His inclusion freed up Marco Verratti to really shine in the second half. He had the joint-most key passes (3, tied with Kimmich), and barely put a foot wrong all game. Unfortunately, it just wasn't to be for him.
As a final treat, here is a video showing all seven goals from the match.
Anyway, that concludes the DWC for the year. Here's a summary of how it all panned out:
Next time we'll give out the tournament prizes, and talk about what's going to happen next.