Argentina vs France: World Cup Final team news and prediction
Argentina face France in the 2022 World Cup final. The spectacle in Qatar draws to a close as the Copa America champions take on the World Cup holders. France beat Argentina on their way to that success in 2018, winning their knockout game against La Albiceleste 4-3. This is set to be Lionel Messi’s final international match, with the PSG man eager to win the coveted trophy.
Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the World Cup final, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Sunday 18th December, 15:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Lusail Stadium, Lusail (Qatar)
What TV channel is it on?
BBC One, ITV, STV, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player
Route to the final
Argentina scraped past the Netherlands on penalties, but eased to a 3-0 win against 2018 runners-up Croatia. They will be looking to go one step further than their 2014 campaign, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.
France got past England and Morocco on their route to the final, and will be hoping to become only the third nation to defend a World Cup title, after winning their second in 2018 against Argentina’s semi-final opponents, Croatia.
Team news
Marcos Acuna returns from suspension for Argentina and may reclaim his place in the starting XI at the expense of Nicolas Tagliafico. Lionel Scaloni may revert to a 4-3-3 setup here, with Angel Di Maria potentially reclaiming is place, though the Argentina boss might elect to pack out the midfield in a 4-4-2, with Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul featuring on the left and right, respectively.
For France, Adrien Rabiot missed the win over Morocco due to illness, with Youssouf Fofana putting in a solid shift in the middle of the park, though the former may return here. Didier Deschamps also has a decision to make at the back, with Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate battling to partner Raphael Varane at the back.
Probable XIs
Argentina (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Key battle: Julian Alvarez vs Olivier Giroud
Both on four goals behind their respective star men, Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud are vying to be their respective nation's hero in the final and add to their personal tallies. Alvarez doubled his tally in the semi-final with a brace against Croatia, whereas Giroud headed the winner home against England.
Alvarez has the higher conversion rate with 44.4% to Giroud’s 25.0%. The former has also played more games, but two of those were off the bench, whereas Giroud has started five matches. Unsurprisingly, Giroud has won more aerial duels than Alvarez, winning 15 to Alvarez’s single aerial duel won. It will be interesting to see how the pace and youthful Alvarez will fare up against the French defence, and witness how the experienced and clinical AC Milan man performs against Argentina’s backline.
Score Prediction: Argentina 1-1 France
