- Date: Sunday 18 November,2022
- Venue: Lusail Stadium
Key battle: Argentina’s midfield vs Antoine Griezmann
If it weren’t for Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann would be the player of the tournament so far. Argentina opted for a midfield diamond against Croatia and they’re unlikely to abandon that tactic against France in tomorrow’s final.
The 2018 champions surrendered possession to Morocco for long periods of their semi-final meeting, with Griezmann occasionally dropping into a holding midfield role.
How Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes manage (or fail) to disrupt Griezmann’s rhythm will have a large bearing on the outcome. Griezmann has created more chances (21) with a higher expected assists value (3.5) than any other player in Qatar.
Also, don’t rule out the difference-making influence of Kylian Mbappe in this game. However, one thing is sure: Messi will be more than fired up to win this World Cup and reside in history, indisputably, as the sport’s one and only GOAT! He said this is his last World Cup and so he obviously wishes to bow up in grand style by holding aloft football’s biggest diadem in his hands.
For decades now, controversy had raged in the football world over who is truly better between him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When the latter won the Euros with Portugal in 2016 at a time Messi had never won the Copa America (the South American equivalent of the Euro), most pundits leant towards the argument that Ronaldo was better.
Then, Messi led Argentina to coveted Copa success in 2021 and it was seemingly all square. But over the years, he bagged seven unprecedented Ballon d’Ors to an ageing Ronaldo’s five and the scales were tipped once again in his favour—this time irreversibly, given his fierce rival’s age.
Should he win the World Cup tomorrow, that debate will simply die a natural death.
But, he faces an up and coming young gun in Mbappe. The PSG forward is a very prolific goal poacher and presently eats from the same table as both Messi and Ronaldo. Or almost from same table…
If France win tomorrow, and especially if Mbappe scores, he will have spoiled Messi’s carefully prepared broth. It may happen. It may not happen.
Argentina vs France: Team News
Argentina
Marcos Acuña is back from suspension and will return to the side at left-back. Lionel Scaloni could persist with a midfield diamond that paid such rich dividends against Croatia with Leandro Paredes at its base. Then again, he could revert to a more familiar 4-3-3 with Angel Di María coming in for Paredes. Decisions, decisions.
France
The Les Bleus camp has been rocked by a bout of flu which initially ruled Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano out of the semi-final win against Morocco. Now, Raphaël Varane, Ibrahima Konaté and Kingsley Coman have also reported flu-like symptoms. Didier Deschamps will be sweating over the availability of that quintet.
Predicted XI
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 played 50 matches for club and country in 2022, scoring 33 goals and providing 30 assists in that time.
- Messi is aiming to become the first player ever to score in every round at a single World Cup.
- No side has conceded fewer shots in their six games leading to the final (1986 onwards) than this Argentina team.
- France have never lost a World Cup match they’ve been leading at half-time (W25 D1).
- France attacker Kolo Muani scored 44 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Morocco.
- France had just 38% possession in their 2-0 semi-final win against Morocco.
What a spectacle we’re in for on Sunday.
*Culled from The South African, with additional reporting by APC NewsOnline.
