Lionel Scaloni’s side thrashed last edition’s runners-up Croatia 3-0 to enter their second World Cup final in eight years, courtesy of Lionel Messi's opener and Julian Alvarez's brace.
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Argentina will take on France in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium on Sunday. La Albiceleste, who kicked off their campaign with a surprise 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, has since grown in stature after every game to reach the title decider. Lionel Scaloni’s side thrashed last edition’s runners-up Croatia 3-0 to enter their second World Cup final in eight years. Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Julian Alvarez netted a double for the South American champions on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the reigning champions France got the better of surprise package Morocco 2-0 in their semi-final fixture on Wednesday to become the first holders in 24 years to reach the final. Theo Hernandez gave an early lead to Didier Dechamps’ side, inside the opening five minutes, before substitute Randal Kolo Muani doubled the lead, eleven minutes from time to seal the win.
Argentina haven’t played an attractive brand of football in the tournament thus far, but Scaloni’s side have been very effective and flexible enough to adjust to the situations. In the last game against the Checker’s, the 44-year-old tactician’s decision to go with a midfield-loaded playing eleven and hit the opposition on counter-attacks worked wonders. Meanwhile, for the title-decider, the Argentina boss is likely to revert to a 4-3-3 formation, with Angel Di Maria returning to the starting eleven, joining Messi and Alvarez up front. The 34-year-old Juventus-man’s return will provide more width to the Argentine attack, while it will also create more space and options for Messi on the right channel. Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul will form the midfield-trio. De Paul is likely to operate on the right side, providing cover to Messi, while Fernandez might form the bridge between the attack and the defense, and Mac Allister will operate on the left channel. The back-four of Nahuel Molina, Christian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Acuna have been compact and solid, making things easier for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. But the Aston Villa gloveman is likely to face his toughest test of the tournament on Sunday.
#Qatar2022 Nueva jornada de entrenamiento de la Selección Argentina 🇦🇷
📋https://t.co/eWVUdpbpg5 pic.twitter.com/guaYWoz8n0
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) December 16, 2022
France, on the other hand, are likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Olivier Giroud leading the line. The 36-year-old is very good in the air and can hold up play, allowing the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann and Ousmane Demble to operate around him. Mbape is going to be the key man for France down the left channel. When these two side’s last faced each other in 2018, Mbappe scored a brace to help Les Bleus record a 4-3 win. The Argentine defenders cannot afford to give any kind of space to the PSG-man. Meanwhile, Griezmann has been an unsung hero for Deschamps’s side this term. The Atletico Madrid player, who scored four goals in Russia, four years ago, has been a revelation in his new role as a number 10, having created the most number of goal-scoring chances in the tournament thus far. The 31-year-old operates behind the striker in a free role. He is likely to be given a hard time by the Argentine midfielders on Sunday as the Frenchman may not be very comfortable when the game gets a bit physical.
𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 pour nos Bleus avant la grande finale demain ⚡️
𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘥’𝘺 𝘦̂𝘵𝘳𝘦 ! 👊 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/e1Pm7SjFnQ
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 17, 2022
Papu Gomez is the only injury concern for Scaloni, as the Sevilla-man is nursing an ankle problem, while the rest of the squad is fit and ready to go. As for France, the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane, Adrien Rabiot, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman are reportedly in the sick room because of some kind of flu. Meanwhile, Rabiot and Upamecano are likely to return to the playing eleven, while Konate might not be available for Sunday’s game.
Argentina probable starting lineup (4-3-3): E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
France probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud
