The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France was one of the most dramatic matches in football history, filled with emotions and unforgettable moments. For FOX Sports broadcasters Stu Holden and John Strong, the event was not just another broadcast—it was an opportunity to capture a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. From the early routines to the heart-stopping final moments, Holden and Strong relive their memories of the match that will be remembered for generations to come.
A Moment Captured in Time
Stu Holden, known for his usual professionalism during broadcasts, made a rare exception during the World Cup final. As Gonzalo Montiel calmly stepped up to take the decisive penalty for Argentina, Holden put his microphone down and grabbed his camera. His instinct was to capture the emotional scene unfolding before him, knowing that words couldn’t do justice to the magnitude of the moment.
1 year ago today. I recorded this video as Argentina scored the winning penalty of the 2022 World Cup Final for a couple reasons.
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) December 18, 2023
1. I knew I wasn’t going to speak for the next 2 minutes to let the emotions and sounds pour through the TV.
2. I wanted to capture a moment that… pic.twitter.com/kooccVOI1s
"I knew in the moment that I’m not going to talk for two minutes," Holden said during a recent interview. "There’s nothing I can say that’s going to be better than what you’re hearing and seeing." As Montiel’s penalty hit the back of the net, Holden stepped back and recorded the scene—the celebration, the emotion, the joy of a nation. For Holden, it was a way to preserve the moment, to keep the memory intact for both himself and his broadcast partner, John Strong.
The Build-Up to the Final
The day of the match was filled with the familiar routines of pregame preparations. John Strong, a seasoned broadcaster, spent the morning packing and preparing his notes, feeling the typical butterflies that come before a major event. Meanwhile, Holden focused on his workout and reviewed his own notes. They had both covered World Cup finals before—Strong in 2018 and 2022, and Holden by his side—but this one felt different.
Before heading to the stadium, Strong, Holden, and their colleague Eric Olson would often find a quiet café near Lusail Stadium to relax and soak in the atmosphere. They would sip on coffee and gelato, observing the buzz from the fans around them. The streets were filled with passionate supporters from Argentina and France, their energy palpable. For Holden, it was a reminder of how much this game meant to the millions of fans, not just in the stadium but around the world.
The Roller Coaster of Emotions
As the game unfolded, it quickly turned into an emotional roller coaster. Argentina took a 2-0 lead, and Strong began to build a narrative that would culminate in a crowning moment for Lionel Messi. But just when the match seemed to be settled, Kylian Mbappé’s two quick goals turned everything upside down, bringing France back into the game. The broadcasters, too, had to adapt to the chaos. "Leave all the other stuff behind and hold on for dear life," Strong recalled. It was a moment of complete unpredictability.
For Holden, the atmosphere in the booth was electric. "I’m buzzing with adrenaline," he admitted. "That was truly one of those games where you’re just thinking and hanging on the edge of, ‘What’s going to happen next?’" As the match continued into extra time, Holden and Strong exchanged glances, knowing that they were part of something extraordinary. The tension, the passion, and the uncertainty of what was to come kept them on their toes until the final whistle.
The Aftermath: A Historic Broadcast
When the final whistle blew and Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy, the broadcasters sat back in awe, taking a moment to process what they had just witnessed. "It was kind of a holy s--t moment," Holden recalled. The emotions of the day were overwhelming, but their professional duties were far from over. Holden had to rush to the post-game show, navigating through the streets of Doha to make it on time.
Later that night, as the team gathered at a bar to unwind, the true impact of the match began to sink in. "I think that was the first moment where we all had a beer and sat around just dissecting every moment that just happened," Holden reflected. For both broadcasters, the 2022 World Cup final was not just a job—it was a historic experience they would never forget.
