Crossword Genius

A number beaten in the final (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

closing

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'final' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'a number beaten in' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'number' could be 'l' (L is an example) and 'l' is located in the answer.
'in' is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for closing that I've seen before include "Ending" , "packing up" , "Shutting" , "Finishing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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