Argentina vs France is the World Cup final that many neutrals would have hoped for, and it’s nearly upon us. Here is all you need to know.
ARGENTINA VS FRANCE: WORLD CUP FINAL KEY DEETS
- Date: Sunday 18 December
- Kickoff: 17:00 (SA time)
- Who: Argentina vs France
- Venue: Lusail Stadium
World Cup 2018 throwback: France 4-3 Argentina
KEY BATTLE: ARGENTINA’S MIDFIELD VS ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
If it weren’t for Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann can be the participant of the event up to now. Argentina opted for a midfield diamond in opposition to Croatia and so they’re unlikely to desert that tactic in opposition to France within the final.
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The 2018 champions surrendered possession to Morocco for lengthy intervals of their semifinal assembly, with Griezmann sometimes dropping right into a holding midfield position. How Enzo Fernández manages (or fails) to disrupt Griezmann’s rhythm may have a big bearing on the result. Griezmann has created extra possibilities (21) with a better anticipated assists worth (3.5) than some other participant in Qatar.
ARGENTINA VS FRANCE: TEAM NEWS
ARGENTINA
Marcos Acuña is again from suspension and can return to the aspect at left-back. Lionel Scaloni might stick with a midfield diamond that paid such wealthy dividends in opposition to Croatia with Leandro Paredes at its base. Then once more, he might revert to a extra acquainted 4-3-3 with Angel Di María coming in for Paredes. Decisions, choices.
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FRANCE
The Les Bleus camp has been rocked by a bout of flu which initially dominated Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano out of the semifinal win in opposition to Morocco. Now, Raphaël Varane, Ibrahima Konaté and Kingsley Coman have additionally reported flu-like signs. Didier Deschamps shall be sweating over the provision of that quintet.
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PREDICTED XIs
Argentina (4-3-3):
Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; Mac Allister, Fernández, De Paul; Di María, Messi, Álvarez
France (4-2-3-1):
Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Hernández; Rabiot, Tchouaméni; Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud
ARGENTINA VS FRANCE: KEY WORLD CUP FINAL FUN FACTS
- Lionel Messi has performed 50 matches for membership and nation in 2022, scoring 33 objectives and offering 30 assists in that point.
- Messi is aiming to develop into the primary participant ever to attain in each spherical at a single World Cup.
- No aspect has conceded fewer photographs of their six video games resulting in the final (1986 onwards) than this Argentina group.
- In the 359th look of his profession (membership and nation), 23-year-old Kylian Mbappé is bidding to develop into the youngest participant to get on the scoresheet in a number of World Cup finals.
- France have by no means misplaced a World Cup match they’ve been main at half-time (W25 D1).
- France attacker Kolo Muani scored 44 seconds after approaching in its place in opposition to Morocco.
- France had simply 38% possession of their 2-0 semifinal win in opposition to Morocco.
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What a spectacle we’re in for on Sunday. Who you obtained?
Meanwhile, you can get extra insights, evaluation and love for the gorgeous sport from James Freemantle
Also sustain on day by day soccer trivia by way of football stats nerd foodball_za.
