Argentina vs France

Argentina plays France in the 2022 World Cup final on Dec. 18. Here's what you need to know about the match.

Argentina's embassy in Doha says between 35,000 and 40,000 Argentine fans are in Qatar for the World Cup – they will all be hoping for a seat at the final. I don’t think there’s much between these teams and can see it going all the way to penalties, where Argentina will be the slight favorite. Overall in the World Cup, both nations have won the trophy twice. Argentina has looked more solid since that match but still conceded goals to Australia in the Round of 16 and two late on against Netherlands in the quarterfinal. This is the fifth World Cup for Messi, 35, and Sunday’s final will be his 26th appearance in the competition – the most of any male player. The historical head-to-head record doesn’t feel especially relevant for a huge match like the World Cup final. While Messi and Mbappé are undoubtedly the stars of their respective teams, the supporting casts have impressed too. England also had several opportunities to add to its single goal in the 2-1 defeat to France in the quarterfinal. “There’s a lot of years until the next one and I don’t think I have it in me and finishing like this is best. As well as another World Cup win, Mbappé is eyeing the golden boot award for the tournament’s top goalscorer. England managed this well despite losing in the French forward Mbappé is only 23 and one match away from lifting his second World Cup.

We have a World Cup final for the ages. After ending Morocco's fairytale tourney, France book a date with Argentina. Here's the latest from Qatar.

The [Benfica](/soccer/team?id=1929)striker impressed after scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup quarterfinals against [Switzerland](/soccer/team?id=475). [confirmed that the soccer journalist died of an aneurysm](/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4831879/soccer-journalist-grant-wahl-died-of-undetected-aortic-aneurysm-wife)while covering a World Cup match. [Lionel Messi](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/45843/Lionel-Messi) and [Argentina](/soccer/team?id=202) will take on [Kylian Mbappe](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/231388/Kylian-Mbappé) and defending champions [France](/soccer/team?id=478) on Dec. [Morocco](/soccer/team?id=2869) squad had already added their names into World Cup lore by becoming the first team from Africa to reach the tournament's semifinals. [Theo Hernandez](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/233621/Theo-Hernández), Morocco gave France several scares prior to Kolo Muani's late goal sealed the match to send Les Bleus to final. Will France defend their title or can Messi finally add a World Cup trophy to his cabinet? Up next is Saturday's third-place consolation match against [Croatia](/soccer/team?id=477), which on paper may not mean much. Well, we have three full days before the World Cup final (and two before the third-place consolation match between Croatia and Morocco), and we'll have plenty to break down and preview before then. It would be an impressive accomplishment for the 23-year-old, with only Pele (two-times winner by age 22) ahead of him. This will be the fourth time the two sides have played in a World Cup match. In scoring against Croatia on Tuesay, Messi passed Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals (11) in Argentina men's history, with Maradona having scored eight. [World Cup](/soccer/league/_/name/fifa.world) final, and it's going to be a doozy.

SportsLine's soccer model simulated Argentina vs. France 10000 times and locked in its 2022 FIFA World Cup final picks and predictions for Sunday.

- France vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? And which side has all the value? He is the nation's all-time leader in appearances with 144 and has eight clean sheets in 19 World Cup matches. The defense should come in with more confidence after holding Morocco scoreless, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' experience in back is critical. Messi has put 10 of 23 on net (43.4%), and Les Bleus have put 33 of 92 on target (35.9%). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. France odds, with France and Argentina both priced at +175 on the 90-minute money line (risk $100 to win $175). The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. Caesars Sportsbook lists the match as a pick'em in its latest Argentina vs. France also won the title in 1998, while Argentina are the 1978 and 1986 World Cup champions. Reigning champion France finally ended the dream of Morocco, taking the lead in the fifth minute on Wednesday and closing out the 2-0 victory.

Will Lionel Messi get his crowning moment? Can Kylian Mbappe confirm himself as the next potential GOAT? And will France become the first team since Brazil 60 ...

Lloris (GK) — 5. Martinez (GK) — 26. 6 DEF FIFA rules mean the striker would be eligible to return as he was never replaced in France's squad list. Rabiot — 11. Hernandez — 7. (4-3-3, right to left): 1. (4-4-2, right to left): 23. Acuna — 5. Will Lionel Messi get his crowning moment? Can Kylian Mbappe confirm himself as the next potential GOAT?

Argentina vs. France odds for the World Cup finals match, with sportsbook promos, expected goals metrics, bets:

Therefore, I am backing the tie and waiting for it all to unfold in extra-time or even penalties. Should you combine the two in a parlay, the odds are fused together to offer +575. Messi has his possible heir apparent Julian Alvarez ready to support him in attack, and Mbappe can count on the wise head of Olivier Giroud to help lead the line. With the battlelines being drawn up between Argentina and France, there is also a neat subplot that contains each of their biggest stars. One that sees the current holders return to the fixture where the biggest prize in world soccer is handed out. While it is a result that the Argentinians will certainly have not forgotten about either. Argentina has been arguably the most dominant team of the tournament, now surpassing even Brazil in expected goal difference. [2022 World Cup odds](https://www.thelines.com/odds/world-cup/) for the Final feature [France](https://www.thelines.com/odds/world-cup/france/) vs. If it is only individual prizes for the former Barcelona star, they will be nothing more than trinkets to add to his already hefty collection. The only way he can finally pull clear of nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo is by finally winning the World Cup. This is why Argentina’s path to the final has almost become a one-man mission up until now. Is it written in the stars?

Who has the best player at every position for Sunday's World Cup final? We combined France and Argentina's rosters to make an ultimate XI.

ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup-men-w61-world-vs-w62-world-dec-18-2022-game-boxscore-97096)). Argentina wouldn't be in the World Cup final without Messi's individual brilliance. Instead, he's the tournament's second-leading goalscorer and France's all-time leading goalscorer at age 36. Just when you think teams have figured out how to contain Mbappé, he does something that makes every coach scrap their game plan. After an uninspiring start to his club season, this tournament has made it clear that Griezmann, 31, still has plenty of good football left in him. The fact that his Mexico in the group stage. That has to count for something. Those numbers are good for any position, but especially for a fullback that doesn't play in a wide formation. [Theo Hernández](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/theo-2-player) (France) But Lloris has saved 10 shots on an 85.7% save percentage, which is third among goalkeepers with at least three matches played. [Hugo Lloris](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/hugo-lloris-player) (France)

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrate after scoring during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and ...

Croatia had allowed just three goals all tournament before Argentina ripped them open for three in the semifinal. That’s why I like the over on 2.5 total goals (+145) The only thing eluding him is a World Cup. Mbappe at just 23 is on the ascension toward becoming one of the greatest players ever. Champions (1978, 1986) Champions (1998, 2018)

When Argentina plays France in the 2022 World Cup final, it will be a 22-year-old Argentinian, and not Lionel Messi, who decides the outcome.

During the 2022 World Cup final, there is an excellent chance that Messi will score a goal. And manager Lionel Scaloni has reaped the benefits of his faith in the youngster. These players are all stars in their own right and were competing with Messi on some level to be the hero of their country’s World Cup success. Young players like 23-year-old Alexis Mac Allister, 21-year-old Enzo Fernandez, and 22-year-old Julian Alvarez now surround Messi upfront, and the dynamic of the Argentina attack has changed. [Paris Saint-Germain teammates](https://clutchpoints.com/kylian-mbappe-lionel-messi-set-ligue-1-history-with-insane-goal-just-8-seconds-into-psg-game) and two of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. In World Cups of the past, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has played next to many big-name countrymen, especially up front.

Despite Antoine Griezmann's all-action efforts, this showpiece will invariably be billed as the showdown between the Paris Saint-Germain pair of Lionel Messi ...

shootouts) at the 2022 tournament so far (4/20). There's enough talent in both sides for this game - which is devoid of a clear favourite - to be decided by a moment of magic. [bug](https://www.90min.com/posts/key-france-duo-doubtful-world-cup-semi-final-illness). He has had more shots on target (14 – 2.3 per game) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup. [France predicted lineup vs Argentina](https://www.90min.com/posts/france-predicted-lineup-vs-argentina-world-cup-final-18-12-22) In fact, it's only the second time in men's They haven't faced above 0.6 expected goals against in any of their six games so far. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN TO SCORE A PENALTY (NORMAL/ET) – France have taken the last two penalties in World Cup finals (2006 & 2018), while Griezmann has netted all three of his World Cup penalties (all in 2018), including one against Argentina and one in the final. ARGENTINA TO SCORE FIRST & WIN – Argentina are the only side to have opened the scoring in all of their World Cup matches at the 2022 tournament (6/6), while the team scoring first has won nine of the last 10 World Cup finals (D1 – France vs Italy in 2006). LIONEL MESSI TO SCORE A PENALTY (NORMAL/ET) – Three of Lionel Messi’s five goals at the 2022 World Cup have come from the penalty spot, while Argentina have taken 20% of the penalties (excl. Despite Antoine Griezmann's all-action efforts, this showpiece will invariably be billed as the showdown between the Paris Saint-Germain pair of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. ET & PENALTIES – Three of the last four World Cup finals have gone to extra time, while only two of the 20 finals before 2022 have gone all the way to penalties (1994 & 2006).

Argentina and France collide in the World Cup FINAL December 18th. The biggest match in 4 years! Find top odds and three smoking hot Argentina vs France ...

I expect Mbappe and Giroud to lead the way and drop Argentina to another heartbreaking World Cup Final defeat. Messi is the best player in the world. With my pick of France winning, I suppose I should probably have them on top in the score prediction, right? The 2022 World Cup carries on, after some fascinating games. The other cause for concern for France is their tendency to drift aimlessly at times during games in this tournament. Messi and Mbappe magic will not only be expected, but likely required, in order for goals to be scored. The defending World Cup champs France and mighty Argentina. Argentina peaked against Croatia – and peaking in the semifinals is a pretty good time. well, are they all going to get sick before the game? Qatar and the soccer world could not have asked for a better final, as exciting and admirable as both Croatia and Morocco were. If Argentina has a weakness, Weghorst and Holland showed it – which is how well they can defend against a big body. They also *nearly* got Weghorsted against Holland in the quarterfinals, winning in penalties.

Three bold Argentina predictions for the FIFA World Cup Final against France on Sunday at Lusail Iconic Stadium.

So, the bold prediction is that he will be named the best player of the World Cup regardless of the result on Sunday. In the 2014 tournament, Messi was awarded despite not scoring in the knockout stage and failing to win the title. The bold prediction is that he will come off the bench late in the game. This would mark the second time he receives the award, the first being in 2014. Since losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, the Argentinians have been through a rebuilding process. In Group D, France finished at the top with wins over Australia and Denmark and a loss to Tunisia.