Argentina vs France – Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup

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THE FACTS

When is Argentina vs France on and what time does it start? Argentina vs France will take place on Sunday 18^th December, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)

Where is Argentina vs France taking place? Argentina vs France will take place at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar

Where can I get tickets for Argentina vs France? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Argentina vs France

What channel is Argentina vs France on in the UK? Argentina vs France will be televised live on BBC / Argentina vs France will be televised live on ITV

Where can I stream Argentina vs France in the UK? Argentina vs France can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / Argentina vs France can be streamed live on the ITV Hub

THE LOWDOWN

ARGENTINA

• Argentina pulled off a resounding 3-0 victory over Croatia to reach the FIFA World Cup final for the second time in the last three editions of the tournament, meaning that Lionel Messi in his final FIFA World Cup appearance has the chance to lift the trophy for the first time in his career at the age of 35.
• Lionel Scaloni has not been afraid to tinker with his side across the knockout stage and could revert to playing three centre-backs, whilst Marcos Acuna’s return from suspension means that Scaloni must decide whether to bring him back into the starting line-up, or persist with Nicolas Tagliafico on the left-side of defence, not to mention the small matter of whether to start Angel Di Maria, who scored the winning goal in the 2021 Copa America final, but has been besieged with injury throughout this competition.

FRANCE

• France’s 2-0 win over Morocco booked their place in the final, giving them the opportunity to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958-1962 and boss Didier Deschamps the chance to become just the second manager ever to retain the FIFA World Cup, a feat only achieved by Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in the 1930s.
• A sickness bug has ravaged the French camp this past week, forcing both Adrian Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano to miss the semi-finals and whether they will both be ready for the final remains to be seen.

THE TEAM NEWS

ARGENTINA

PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Alejandro Gomez (Injured)

FRANCE

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

UNAVAILABLE: L. Hernandez (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Coman (Illness), Rabiot (Illness), Upamecano (Illness)

THE KEY STATS

• This is the fourth FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and France, with their most recent encounter coming in the round of 16 at Russia 2018 when France claimed a 4-3 victory. Argentina had won their previous two meetings, in 1930 (1-0) and 1978 (2-1), both group stage
• The FIFA World Cup final has been contested between a South American team and a European team on ten previous occasions, with South America triumphing seven times, however the three successes for Europe have come in the last five meetings
• Argentina and France are both aiming to win their third FIFA World Cup title. Brazil (five), Germany and Italy (four) are the nations which have previously won the competition on at least three occasions
• Argentina are aiming to become the first South American nation to win the FIFA World Cup since Brazil in 2002
• Argentina have been successful in three of their previous five appearances in the FIFA World Cup final
• Argentina are facing European opposition in the FIFA World Cup final for the fifth time having previously encountered the Netherlands (1978) and Germany (1986, 1990 and 2014)
• Argentina lost 1-0 in their last two appearances in the FIFA World Cup final (1990 and 2014)
• Argentina have scored 149 goals in FIFA World Cup matches and could become the third nation after Brazil (237) and Germany (232) to reach the landmark of 150
• Argentina have lost only one of their last 42 international matches (W29 D12)
• Argentina have now scored 12 goals at Qatar 2022 - their highest total since 1986 when they scored 14
• Argentina have scored two or more goals in each of their last five matches at Qatar 2022
• Argentina have scored the first goal in each of their six matches at Qatar 2022
• Argentina have not failed to score in their last eight FIFA World Cup matches
• Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goalscorer for Argentina in FIFA World Cup history with 11 goals (1-2006; 4-2014; 1-2018; 5-2022)
• Lionel Messi is level with Lothar Matthäus as joint record appearance-maker in FIFA World Cup history if he plays here this will be his 26th appearance and he will hold the record outright
• France have now reached the final in four of the seven most editions of the FIFA World Cup
• France have been successful in two of their previous three appearances in the FIFA World Cup final and only lost out on penalties against Italy in 2006
• France are unbeaten in their last ten FIFA World Cup matches against South American nations (W6 D4). Their last defeat was against Argentina in 1978 (L 2-1)
• France have remarkably kept eight clean sheets in their last nine FIFA World Cup matches against South American nations
• France are the first FIFA World Cup holders to reach the final since Brazil in 1998
• France have become the fifth team to win the FIFA World Cup and return to the final in the following edition after Italy (1934-1938), Brazil (1958-1962), Argentina (1986-1990) and Brazil (1994-1998)
• France could become the third team to win two successive FIFA World Cups, following Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962)
• France have been successful in 16 of their last 18 FIFA World Cup knockout round ties (including one penalty shootout win)
• France have won 11 of their last 13 FIFA World Cup matches (D1 L1)
• France have won each of their last seven FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches
• France have only failed to score in one of their last 15 FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches
• Against Morocco, France's Hugo Lloris joined Germany's Manuel Neuer on 19 appearances, equalling the record by a goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup history. He is set to become the first goalkeeper to reach 20 FIFA World Cup appearances
  
• Didier Deschamps is aiming to become only the second coach to win two FIFA World Cup titles, following Vittorio Pozzo who was successful with Italy in 1934 and 1938

THE PREDICTION

It seems a long time ago now since Argentina fell to a stunning 1-2 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in their opening game of the group stage at Lusail Stadium, one of the biggest shocks in FIFA World Cup history which left them on the brink of elimination. Fast forward 26 days and Argentina will step out at the same venue in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against reigning champions France, with both teams battling to become only the fourth nation to win three FIFA World Cup titles. Les Bleus come into the final as the joint-highest scorers in the competition, whilst Argentina have netted at least once in every game they have played across the tournament so far. However, as you would expect in a big final, both are likely to play with an air of caution and defensive stability will surely be prioritised as they each settle into the contest, knowing the importance of scoring the first goal.

Argentina and France can each call upon their own match-winning superstars in Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, but the supporting cast are world class in their own right. It’s very important to note the sickness bug which will have surely had an adverse effect on France’s preparation ahead of this final and could take its toll on Didier Deschamps’ men from a physical perspective the longer this game goes on. Against an opponent of Argentina’s quality, such minor details can prove ever so crucial.

Whilst France are the defending champions and knows what it takes to get over the line in such a big match, you can’t help but feel that this particular World Cup is written in the stars for Argentina and specifically Lionel Messi. He has been in mesmerising form all tournament long and another standout performance from him here may well be the difference between the two teams. Their Copa America triumph in 2021 is proof that this Argentina squad can jump the psychological hurdle of winning a major tournament final and backing them to lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup has to be favoured, whether it be in 90 minutes, extra time or on penalties.

TIP: ARGENTINA TO LIFT THE TROPHY