2022 FIFA World Cup
Sunday 18th December 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium
Match Preview:
The biggest game in football will take place on Sunday as the 22nd World Cup comes to a conclusion. Argentina will meet France in the final in what should be an absorbing game.
Argentina have reached the final 2 out of the last 3 times although they haven’t won the greatest prize in the game since 1986. Since then the nation has produced many great players but they have failed to show that extra level to win the trophy. Now of course they have Lionel Messi, but they have had him since the 2006 World Cup and each time he has failed to deliver, that is until now. Messi has been rolling back the years and he has changed during this competition. It isn’t just the skills that he can produce or the goals but there is a real captain’s persona about him now that has been missing for Argentina in general. He has the feet to win games but also has the voice and while this Argentina side have hardly been the most attractive of sides he is keeping that balance from tipping to a team who can play dirty and be cynical. History tells us that hasn’t always worked out for Argentina. In 1990 just like in 2022 they lost their first group game in shocking fashion but still reached the final then lost the plot against Germany which witnessed two of their players being sent off. Messi needs to keep his side together because when they concentrate on playing football they can be very good.
Argentina are the current Copa America holders so they have tasted victory on the international stage recently and that was incredibly their first trophy in 28 years. In their last 42 games they have lost just once- the Saudi Arabia game and it is clear that they can be a real danger in this game. In the semi-final they beat Croatia 3-0 which just underlined how this team has improved. In the 2018 World Cup they lost to the same nation 3-0.
France are the current world champions so just being able to reach another final is a huge landmark for them. They are trying to become just the third nation to win back to back World Cups. Italy were the first in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil achieved this in 1958 and 1962 so it has been 60 years since the feat has happened. Since 1998 France have won 2 World Cups and 1 European Championship but they also reached the Euro 2016 final, meaning in the last four major international tournaments they have been to 3 finals. They are clearly the best side in the world, however after a bright start in Qatar 2022 their last few games have not been convincing.
Defeating England was huge for France but many observers said that England were the better side. But France got the job done. Against Morocco France deserved to go through but they had spells just like in the England game where they invited the opposition onto them but didn’t defend very well. Still they beat Morocco 2-0 becoming in the process the first team to put goals past them since the group stage. This France side are incredibly dangerous because their last two games haven’t been the most convincing and yet they have won them both within 90 minutes and scored 4 goals.
Team News:
Argentina: Alejandro Gomez has an ankle sprain and will be assessed but wouldn’t be a regular starter for the team normally. Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel are back from suspensions.
France: Adrien Rabiot should return after his flu like symptions forced him to miss the semi-final game, although his virus has spread. It means that Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, Kingsley Coman and Raphael Varance remain doubts but will be assessed beforehand.
Argentina vs France Head to Head:
The nations have played each other 12 times and currently Argentina have the upper hand with 6 wins. France have won 3 and there have been 3 draws.
The last time they played each other was in 2018 in a World Cup classic in which France won 4-3.
Argentina have won 2 of the last 3 meetings.
The nations have played each other in 3 World Cups. In 1930, 1978 and 2018 and Argentina have two wins and France one.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Argentina vs France Prediction:
This game isn’t just about two players but at the end of the day their class could win their teams the World Cup. For Argentina it is Lionel Messi and for France it is Kylian Mbappe, incredibly current team mates with French side PSG, so whatever happens here you can imagine the side stories and fall out. Between them in this competition alone they have been involved in 15 goals. They come into this final having scored 5 goals each and it will be incredibly fascinating to see if either of them has a great final.
There is more pressure on Messi to deliver, he has been one of the greatest players of his generation but that gold trophy has kept eluding him. For Mbappe well he won it last time out and at only 23 years of age is going for his 2nd World Cup which is frankly mind boggling. So these two incredible players should have an impact here but let’s look a little further. For the French Ousmane Dembele who hasn’t had the best of times for Barcelona is in great form, he has the pace on the wing and the intelligence to cut open defences. Olivier Giroud is a constant threat up front, mostly known for holding up the ball, but he is scoring goals again for the national side. And then there is a real danger man in Antoine Griezmann perhaps the player of the tournament so far. At one moment he is creating assists like a magician in midfield, the next he is clearing up the mess in defence.
For Argentina Julien Alvarez has four goals and has replaced Lautaro Martinez up front and been a revelation. He not only scores goals but has a great eye for the game. Fernadez, MacAllister and De Paul look like the perfect almost dogs of war battle ready players that could really have a go at the talented French side also. While everyone talks about the attacking qualities for both teams this could be a game won on defence and Argentina judging on the knock out games seem to be coming into this one with the better back four. The recent virus for France may force them to make a few changes too.
It’s going to be a close game, a tense one and hopefully a quality one with some pre Christmas magic sprinkled over it. Is this finally going to be Messi’s time? He hasn’t had a better chance and we will be backing the South American’s to win it. It might be worth backing the lift the trophy market to cover extra time and possible penalties as the the other markets are only for 90 minutes play.
Argentina vs France Betting Tips:
Argentina to lift the trophy at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Lionel Messi at 2.50
Anytime goalscorer: Kylian Mbappe at 3.00
Over 2.5 goals at 2.25
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