Fireworks are pictured before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

DOHA - Tens of thousands of soccer fans wearing French and Argentinian colors gathered at Doha's Lusail stadium on Sunday where the 2022 World Cup ends with a dream-like scenario for Qatar: a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, both stars of Doha-owned Paris St Germain.

The throngs overcrowded Doha's metro with Qatar Rail delaying access to the stations as a modest closing ceremony kicked off inside the stadium where dancers celebrated "A Night to Remember". The stadium appeared almost full as the game started, with Argentinian fans vastly outnumbering the French.

The crowd watched Qatar's air force planes flying over Lusail as the Gulf state also celebrated its national day, with thousands of police forces, including anti-riot units armed with water canons, securing the area

The crowd watched Qatar's air force planes flying over Lusail as the Gulf state also celebrated its national day, with thousands of police forces, including anti-riot units armed with water canons, securing the area.

After 63 matches, the World Cup in Qatar comes to a close with reigning champions France taking on Argentina in a showpiece final with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest. France's Mbappe and Argentina's Messi, both playing for the Qatari-owned club, are also a reminder of Qatar's influence on global soccer beyond the FIFA World Cup organization.

ALSO READ: 10 memorable impressions from Qatar World Cup

"Our parents talked to us about Maradona, and we will talk to our sons about Messi... We hope that we will win the cup, and we can celebrate with him and all the people in Argentina," said Nicolas Gomez, a fan from Argentina.

French fan Dylan Cognard from Normandy dismissed the heavy presence of Argentina's supporters: "(They have) a lot of chants, but if we score, there will be zero sound ... They will stop singing ‘muchacho’.”

Thousands also gathered outside the stadium to watch the game on giant screens: “We have no tickets. We are here for the national day and because the players might come out after the finish. We wanted to just see them,” said Shafeek Mydheea, a tourist from Dubai standing in front of two rows of riot police outside Lusail metro station.

Fireworks go off around a giant replica of the World Cup Trophy as giant Argentina's and France's flags are displayed on the pitch before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (JEWEL SAMAD / AFP)

General view of the presentation ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup ahead of the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Singers and dancers perform before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup ahead of the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (ODD ANDERSEN / AFP)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup ahead of the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Dancers perform during the closing ceremony ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec 18, 2022. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)