Argentina vs France Live Commentary, 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, Qatar

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Group A
1	Netherlands	3	2	1	0	5	1	4	7
2	Senegal	3	2	0	1	5	4	1	6
3	Ecuador	3	1	1	1	4	3	1	4
4	Qatar	3	0	0	3	1	7	-6	0
Group B
1	England	3	2	1	0	9	2	7	7
2	USA	3	1	2	0	2	1	1	5
3	Iran	3	1	0	2	4	7	-3	3
4	Wales	3	0	1	2	1	6	-5	1
Group C
1	Argentina	3	2	0	1	5	2	3	6
2	Poland	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
3	Mexico	3	1	1	1	2	3	-1	4
4	Saudi Arabia	3	1	0	2	3	5	-2	3
Group D
1	France	3	2	0	1	6	3	3	6
2	Australia	3	2	0	1	3	4	-1	6
3	Tunisia	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	4
4	Denmark	3	0	1	2	1	3	-2	1
Group E
1	Japan	3	2	0	1	4	3	1	6
2	Spain	3	1	1	1	9	3	6	4
3	Germany	3	1	1	1	6	5	1	4
4	Costa Rica	3	1	0	2	3	11	-8	3
Group F
1	Morocco	3	2	1	0	4	1	3	7
2	Croatia	3	1	2	0	4	1	3	5
3	Belgium	3	1	1	1	1	2	-1	4
4	Canada	3	0	0	3	2	7	-5	0
Group G
1	Brazil	3	2	0	1	3	1	2	6
2	Switzerland	3	2	0	1	4	3	1	6
3	Cameroon	3	1	1	1	4	4	0	4
4	Serbia	3	0	1	2	5	8	-3	1
Group H
1	Portugal	3	2	0	1	6	4	2	6
2	Korea Republic	3	1	1	1	4	4	0	4
3	Uruguay	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
4	Ghana	3	1	0	2	5	7	-2	3

Matches Played

Matches Won

Matches Drawn

Matches Lost

Goals For (Goals scored by a team)

Goals Against (Goals conceded by a team)

Goal Difference

Pts

Total Points

ARGENTINA AND LIONEL MESSI ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!

🏆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆 pic.twitter.com/L2QO9h85hf
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

An incredible and unforgettable goal 🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

Many congratulations to Argentina on doing this for Messi! Wonderful comeback from the way they started the campaign.

Special mention to Martinez for the spectacular save towards the end of extra time. That was a clear indication to me that Argentina would clinch this. pic.twitter.com/KoXOTl1fSE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 18, 2022

One of the greatest games ever. Well played Argentina and France. Jogo Bonito. Nobody deserves it more than #messi, imho the greatest ever to play the game. What a swansong. #FIFAWorldCup
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) December 18, 2022

The individual awards are being handed out now:

Young Player Award - Enzo Fernandes (Argentina)
Best Goalkeeper of the tournament - Emi Martinez (Argentina)
Golden Boot award - Kylian Mbappe (France)
Golden Ball, Player of the Tournament - Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The closing ceremony is just moments away - The Lionel Messi trophy lift is just moments away

Beautiful images coming through as Lionel Messi embraces his kids in a long and loving embrace. This moment at the Lusail stadium will be etched in their minds forever

This is the best game of football I've ever watched. Every emotion displayed and felt for 120 minutes and then through every take from the spot. What a show. What a sport. Lionel Messi 💙🤍
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) December 18, 2022

Lionel Messi's career resume

10x La Liga Champ
6x Copa del Rey Champ
4x Champions League Champ
AND NOW WORLD CUP CHAMP

THE GREATEST FOOTBALLER TO EVER PLAY THE GAME 🐐🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/E9FrMmAJNL
— Covers (@Covers) December 18, 2022

Congratulations Lionel Messi and Argentina. Finally you got the trophy you truly deserve. 🏆 Very happy for my teammate @nico_taglia as well. 💪🏽

Chin up my French fellows, you played a superb tournament 👏🏽🇫🇷
— Jérôme Boateng (@JeromeBoateng) December 18, 2022

WHAT A GAME! 🔥🤩

LIONEL MESSI AND ARGENTINA WIN THE ULTIMATE PRIZE ON PENALTIES! 🏆🇦🇷#Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #LionelMessi𓃵 #Argentina pic.twitter.com/vB4ZYDHzu5
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

The emotion is palpable! Diego Maradona must be smiling from heaven. Spare a thought for Kylian Mbappe though! He scored a World Cup final hat-trick, scored in the penalty shootout and still ended up on the losing side.

This game is extraordinary. Football is extraordinary. Lionel Messi is extraordinary. Kylian Mbappe is extraordinary.

Thank you France and Argentina for putting up a show! This match will be remembered forever. A truly historic match for a historic occasion. Lionel Messi's dream has come true

MONTIEL SCORES! ARGENTINA WIN! THEY ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! MESSI IS A WORLD CHAMPION! EMI MARTINEZ IS A CHAMPION! MESSI ON HIS KNEES IN THE CENTER CIRCLE

Time for Montiel to be the hero for Argentina

Kolo Muani Scores! France 2-3 Argentina

Kolo Muani steps up for France.. he must score

Paredes steps up for Argentina and scores! Just about! Match point for Argentina! France 1-3 Argentina

TCHOUAMENI MISSES! ARGENTINA CAN ALMOST TOUCH THE TROPHY

Tchouameni steps up for France

Paulo Dybala rolls it down the middle! Advantage Argentina! France 1-2 Argentina

Paulo Dybala steps up for Argentina

Emi Martinez saves! Kingsley Coman is dejected! France 1-1 Argentina. Advantage Argentina

Coman steps up for the second penalty

Lionel Messi rolls it cooly past Lloris! France 1-1 Argentina

Up steps Lionel Messi for Argentina

Kylian Mbappe scores from the spot for the third time! France 1-0 Argentina

Penalties will be taken on the Argentina side while it looks like France will go first... and up steps Kylian Mbappe

It is a game of nerves now! Who will emerge as winners? We are just moments away

PEEP, PEEP, PEEP! We go to a penalty shootout

After 120+ minutes of exhilarating, scintillating and mind-boggling football action, we go into penalties

120+3' FRANCE SHOULD HAVE WON IT! Kolo Mulani should have won it for France! What a save by Emi Martinez! This is almost unbelievable. This is incomprehensible. This is football.

120+1 Both France and Argentina make one change each with penalties in mind! Paulo Dybala comes on for Nicolas Tagliafico and Axel Disasi comes on for Jules Kounde

120' FRANCE ALMOST SCORE THE WINNER! Kylian Mbappe accelerates past the Argentina defence and plays an excellent ball that narrowly evades both Kolo Muani and the far corner of Emi Martinez's goal

118' GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL! Kylian Mbappe scores! Kylian Mbappe gets a hat-trick in the World Cup final! France just refuse to go away! Mbappe refuses to go away! This is UNDOUBTEDLY THE GREATEST FINAL OF ALL TIME

117' PENALTY FOR FRANCE! Mbappe's shot hits Paredes' arm and the referee points to the spot! There are no words left to describe this game

116' Argentina make a substitution as the excellent Mac Allister goes off and Pezalla comes on

114' Bad foul by Paredes on Camavinga! Paredes goes studs first into the France man and receives a caution

113' Varane's race is done as Ibrahima Konate comes on

109' What drama! Lionel Messi has scored many beautiful goals but this scrappy goal could be the most important goal of his career. Lautaro Martinez plays in Enzo Fernandes. The Benfica man unleashes a powerful shot which bounces back to Lionel Messi whose kick just about gets past the line! Destiny or fate. It is Lionel Messi who is the match winner at the moment

109' GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! THIS IS INSANE! THIS IS DESTINY! THIS IS LEO MESSI! LEO MESSI FOR THE WORLD CUP! LEO MESSI TO REACH OUT AND CLAIM GLORY

107' SAVE! Lionel Messi unleashes a shot from the edge of the box but it is saved by Hugo Lloris!

106' Argentina get us underway in the second half of extra time. Will we find a match-winner like Mario Gotze from 2014?

Half time of extra time and it remains 2-2. We are only 15 minutes away from the lottery of a penalty shootout

105+1' Martinez should have scored! Acuna plays a brilliant ball to Martinez whose shot goes narrowly wide. What a game! What a chance! It remains 2-2

105' Brilliant by Lionel Messi! The Argentine maestro plays a brilliant ball to Lautaro Martinez but it is blocked brilliantly by Upamecano! The ball bounces back to Montiel whose fierce shot hits a France defender and goes over the bar

104' CHANCE! Paredes plays a good ball out to Acuna whose shot goes wide from a tight angle

102' Double change for Argentina! Rodrigo de Paul and Julian Alvarez come off while Paredes and Lautaro Martinez come on

100' Gabriel Montiel goes into the book as he brings down Fofana. Argentina are creaking under the pressure

97' Suddenly the passes seem to be going astray for Argentina while France look the fresher of the two sides. Credit must definitely go to Deschamps who made some brave and decisive substitutions

95' Deschamps makes another change as Adrien Rabiot comes off and Fofana comes on

93' Argentina are slowly getting a foothold in the game once again. It will require a herculean effort psychologically now for Lionel Messi an co to take the initiative back in this game again

Argentina had made a substitution in the break. Molina goes off and Montiel comes on

91' France get us underway in extra time of the final. Will there be a decisive moment in the next 30 minutes or will be head into the lottery of a penalty shootout?

This World Cup has been brilliant but the best and most significant chapter has been saved till the end! Lionel Messi looked all set to claim an elusive World Cup title but one man called Kylian Mbappe had other plans. We are now just moments away from extra time. Buckle in, we are in for a wild ride

PEEP, PEEP, PEEP! And BREATHE! The game ends at 2-2 in regulation time and incredibly thanks to 2 brilliant minutes by the explosive Kylian Mbappe we now go into extra time

90+8' Acuna gets a yellow card for a cynical foul on Coman

90+7' WHAT A SHOT! WHAT A SAVE! Lionel Messi unleashes an absolute thunderbolt but Hugo Lloris pulls out a miraculous save to keep the scores level! This is World Cup final football at its absolute best

90+4' WHAT A SAVE! Coman skips past 3 challenges and plays the ball out to Rabiot whose shot is excellently held by Emi Martinez

90+3' CLOSE! Kylian Mbappe has come well and truly come alive in this final. The France forward goes past the defence and unleashes a venomous shot which takes a deflection and goes just over the bar

2 - Kylian Mbappé has scored two goals in the space of 97 seconds, becoming the first player to score a brace in a World Cup final since Ronaldo for Brazil vs Germany in 2002. Ignition. pic.twitter.com/qSJVKmdaek
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022

⚽ 80' - Argentina 2-1 France️
⚽️ 81' - Argentina 2-2 France

Kylian Mbappe has just turned the final on its head! 🤯🇫🇷#Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #KylianMbappe #ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/isSWyDdGFS
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

90+1' 8 minutes have been added! Plenty of time to get a winner for either team.

90' Incredible France are finishing the stronger of the two! Could they actually nick a winner here before FT?

87' Yellow card for Simulation! Marcus Thuram thought he had won France a penalty but the referee rightly spotted his dive and booked him. Things are heating up here

84' Argentina are rattled! Suddenly Mbappe is causing the defence all types of problems! The French superstar plays a brilliant ball into the box from which Kolo Muani heads just wide. No one and I repeat absolutely no one saw this coming! What a World Cup final this is turning out to be

82' GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL! Kylian Mbappe has scored once again! This is absolutely unbelievable! What a wonderful volley by the France superstar. You cannot keep a good man down and Mbappe has shown why he is consdired by many to be the best player in the world right now.

This World Cup is a gift which keeps on giving

80' GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL! Kylian Mbappe gets on the scoresheet as his powerful penalty just gets past a despairing Emi Martinez dive! France are back in the game!

79' PENALTY FOR FRANCE! Out of nowhere France win a penalty as Kolo Muani is brought down in the box. Is there a twist in the game?!

77' Lionel Messi and De Paul cut through the France defence once again but De Paul's cut-back is too close to Lloris who does well to gather it in his arms

75' This has got to be one of the most one-sided finals in recent times. The Argentina backline have barely broken a sweat tonight and they seem to be cruising to a historic 3rd World Cup title

72' CHANCE! Lionel Messi at almost walking pace bamboozles France's defence and plays a ball back to Enzo Fernandez. His curled effort from the edge of the box is straight into Hugo Lloris' hands.

71' France are making a double substitution: Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez are coming off. Camavinga and Kingsley Coman are coming on

71' SHOT! Kylian Mbappe finally bursts into life as he skips past 3 Argentina defenders but his shot goes well over the bar! This is more like it fro the defending champions

70' Most sustained period of possession and pressure from France in this game. Deschamps will definitely be hoping for a goal to get his teeth back into the game

68' WIDE! France win a corner. Antoine Griezmann whips in an excellent ball which is headed wide by Kolo Muani

67' France finally seem to be causing some problems to the Argentine defense as first Antoine Griezmann and then Theo Hernandez play 2 threatening crosses across the box

65' France can heave a sigh of relief as the excellent Di Maria comes off! Acuna comes on to replace the 34-year-old superstar. What a performance it has been!

62' CLOSE! Argentina are knocking on the door! Mac Allister wins the ball and plays an excellent ball to Julian Alvarez whose return ball narrowly misses the onrushing Brighton man

60' CLOSE! Di Maria is unstoppable tonight! The 34-year-old winger ties Jules Kounde in knots and plays a ball across the box to Lionel Messi. The 7-time Ballon d'Or winner drags his shot narrowly wide under pressure from Upamecano

59' SHOT! It is that man Di Maria once again who is causing plenty of problems to the French defence. The Argentine winger releases Julian Alvarez whose sharp shot brings a good save out of Hugo Lloris on his near post

57' France are trying to show some fight here as Kolo Muani skips past Di Maria but the Argentina defence holds firm. France will definitely need more of this to get back into the game

55' Yellow for Adrien Rabiot as he brings down the excellent Rodrigo de Paul. The game is going nowhere for France at the moment

54' Emi Martinez almost gives France a way back! The Argentine GK comes way off his line and miscues his clearance horribly. Luckily for him the ball goes to an Argentine player. Lionel Scaloni will not want complacency to set in his squad

53' Argentina have got the ball right where they wanted. The ball is near the France corner flag and Argentina are taking their own time with things here

51' Already it seems like a clear gameplan from France to get Kylian Mbappe more involved. The France superstar forces a corner. However, the resulting corner is straight into Emi Martinez's hands

49' SHOT! Lionel Messi, Di Maria and De Paul combine wonderfully once again. The Argentine number 10 finds Di Maria in acres of space once again. The wingers cross falls to De Paul whose volley is straight at Lloris. Argentina have started brightly once again

47' France have been extremely lethargic tonight. Perhaps the effects of the virus running through the squad are showing as Les Bleus have barely got started here

46' Argentina get things underway in the second half. Lionel Messi and Co just need to keep their calm and they will be walking out as World Champions after 45 minutes

In all the fanfare surrounding Lionel Messi let us not forget about Angel Di Maria! What a performance it has been by the winger. He has been almost unplayable tonight and proved that he is truly a man for the big occasion

✅ or ❌

Was that a penalty? 👀#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/a9MqX5sCTq
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

👕 28 Finals
⚽️ 11 goals
🅰️ 2 assists

Angel Di Maria, the man for the biggest occasion! 🇦🇷🔥#angeldimaria #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/idQk86ZHmX
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

HT: Argentina 2-0 France

Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria give Argentina a comfortable lead heading into half-time. La Albiceleste have completely dominated the game and have hardly given France any breathing room. Deschamps will need to change the system in the second half as at the momet Kylian Mbappe is barely even touching the ball.

Messi is 45 minutes away from cementing his status as the GOAT. We are about to see history being made!

45+7 Enzo Fernandez gets a yellow card as he brings down Kolo Muani. The resultant free-kick is floated in by Griezmann but it drifts behind harmlessly

45+6' France are struggling to find any rhythm in their game and have barely posed a threat to the Argentina goal. Things will have to change drastically if France are to make a comeback in the second half

45+4' France fans are trying to rally as chants of Allez Les Bleus go up in the crowd

ANGEL DI MARIA DOING WONDERS! ✨ 🫶🏻#angeldimaria #ArgentinaVsFrance #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mfZh7Uzd2R
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

45+2' France try to make their way forward on the left-hand side but the move comes to a halt as Theo Hernandez fouls Rodrigo de Paul

45' 7 minutes added on! France will be desperate to not concede another one while Argentina will look to push and grab another goal.

43' In the battle between Lionel Messi and Mbappe, there is only one winner at the moment. Messi has been influential while Mbappe has had the least amount of touches for any outfield player in this game

A sublime counter-attack rounded off by Angel Di Maria. And a World Cup Final assist from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/a0akA8oX8N
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 18, 2022

41' Deschamps has had enough! He is making a double substitution. Olivier Giroud and Dembele are coming off. Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani come on

38' Di Maria has been threatening this entire half and he has now got a goal as well to cap off his excellent display. France look tired and beaten and it looks like the game is running away for Les Bleus

36' GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL! Angel Di Maria scores an iconic goal for Argentina in the World Cup final! What a team goal and predictably Lionel Messi was heavily involved. Argentina play out from the back beautifully and Messi plays a wonderful ball around the corner to Julian Alvarez. The Manchester City man plays a brilliant ball through to Mac Allister who finds an unmarked Di Maria on the far post.

Absolutely beautiful move and Argentina can almost touch the World Cup trophy now!

34' Argentina have absolutely dominated the game here and are giving France the runaround. They have not even had a shot still!

20 - With 12 goals and 8 assists, Lionel Messi's 20 goal involvements are the most of any player on record at the World Cup (1966 onwards). Greatest. pic.twitter.com/wU7JTyfKWS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022

31' The decision to start Di Maria is proving to be an inspired move by Lionel Scaloni. France just do not seem to have any answer for the winger who is finding acres of space on the left-hand side

29' Argentina have definitely been the better team here. They have played the better passes and have just looked hungrier tonight. Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud have barely touched the ball for France

27' FK for France! Olivier Giroud is brought down by Romero who mistimed his challenge. The resultant FK is taken by Antoine Griezmann. Argentina struggle to clear their lines but finally get a reprieve as Hernandez fouls an Argentine defender

1 - Lionel Messi is the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quater-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the World Cup. Prestige. pic.twitter.com/jnisNEa8F5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022

Lionel Andrés Messi. World Cup final. 6 goals in the World Cup, 12 total career goals in World Cups. 🏆🇦🇷 #WCFinal pic.twitter.com/VmIjROQ4Ri
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 18, 2022

23' GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! Lionel Messi converts the penalty with consummate ease! Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Lionel Messi has given Argentina the lead in the World Cup final

22' PENALTY FOR ARGENTINA! It is that man Angel Di Maria once again causing problems once again. He is left with far too much space on the left once again. The 34-year-old makes his way into the box and is brought down by Ousmane Dembele who was desperately trying to make up lost ground. Is this going to be Lionel Messi's moment?

19' FK FOR FRANCE! De Paul brings down Theo Hernandez near the box. Antoine Girezmann plays a dangerous ball into the box but Giroud is deemed to have fouled the Aregentine defender

17' CHANCE! Di Maria should have done better! Lionel Messi plays a brilliant ball to De Paul. The Argentine's cut back is just behind Lionel Messi but Di Maria with a right-footed shot sends the ball blazing over. A big let-off for France!

15' France need to pick up the pace here. They are looking slightly off the boil and Argentina are playing some pretty passes

13' Impressive work by Ousmane Dembele as France finally make their move forward. The ball eventually makes its way towards Adrian Rabiot whose intended through ball to Kylian Mbappe is guarded easily by Romero

11' Di Maria is hugging the left touchline and Argentina are finding him pretty regularly here. France will need to something about him as he is being afforded too much space at the moment

9' FOUL! The resultant corner is finally worked into the box but a foul is called on Romero who is deemed to have barged into Hugo Lloris. The France goalkeeper looks winded here.

This break could do France some good as Argentina have got the early momentum here

8' CLOSE! Lionel Messi starts off the move with a brilliant pass that releases Mac Allister. The midfielder found Di Maria whose cross found De Paul. The midfielder's shot from outside the box takes a deflection and goes behind for the first corner of the game

5' SHOT! Mac Allister gets the game's first shot on target. Antoine Griezmann surprisingly gives the ball away with a heavy touch. It falls to the Brighton man who unleashes a fierce shot. However, it was straight at Lloris.

Argentina have started well here

3' Almost a chance, but offside! Lionel Messi, Di Maria and De Paul all combine brilliantly but Alvarez had just drifted offside while chasing De Paul's chipped ball

2' FOUL! Rodrigo de Paul with a cynical foul on Adrien Rabiot as he tries to win the ball back for Argentina. Both teams are feeling their way into the match

1' We are underway. 90 (or 120 minutes) to decide the World Champion! It all comes down to this

The national anthems are done! What a spine-tingling rendition. Goosebumps all around as the player prepare to take the stage for the biggest football match they will ever play in.

Lionel Messi looked pumped up ahead of the match while Kylian Mbappe looked calm and collected. Lionel Messi and Hugo Lloris, the 2 captains, now come together towards the centre circle for the toss

Time for the national anthems! Always my favorite part of the pre-match ritual

We are just minutes away from kick-off! From Deepika Padukone to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it seems like everyone has descended in Qatar for football's biggest game.

The excitement is palpable, the atmosphere is electric. It is time for Argentina or France to reach out and become the World Champions

Kylian Mbappe has arrived, eyeing a second consecutive World Cup 🏆#KylianMbappe #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/mDTSPR24BW
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

Some important numbers and stats ahead of the game:

Argentina have a good record against France and have won six out of the 12 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to France's three victories.

Lionel Messi is Argentina's most prolific goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup with 11 goals and could surpass Diego Maradona's tally of eight World Cup assists this weekend.

Argentina will play their sixth World Cup final this weekend - only Germany have competed in more World Cup finals with eight appearances.

France have reached the World Cup final four times since they won the trophy in 1998 - twice as many as any other nation has managed during this period.

Argentina have won two of their last three matches against France but did lose their previous meeting against Les Bleus in 2018 by a 4-3 scoreline.

France are unbeaten in their last 10 matches against nations from South America in the FIFA World Cup.

This is the 11th World Cup final between a South American nation and a European nation - the South American nation have won the trophy on seven of the 10 previous occasions.

Some wholesome content for Argentina, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona fans ahead of the World Cup final:

“You’ll be the best player in history” - Diego Maradona’s emotional message to Lionel Messi resurfaces ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup final

Lionel Messi is looking to end his career with a World Cup, but standing in his way is his team-mate, the most promising youngster 🐐🐐#LionelMessi𓃵 #ArgentinaVsFrance #KylianMbappe pic.twitter.com/lRQ3TYwV7O
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

Last time around the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante ran the show for France. With both of them missing, can Tchouameni and Rabiot step up on the big stage? (Both of them have had an excellent World Cup so far)

Di Maria's return for Argentina cannot be underestimated. The Argentine wide man has an uncanny knack of popping up in the right places at the right time. He will be hoping to be the matchwinner for Argentina in a big final once again. (Di Maria scored the winning goal in the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil)

Just a reminder of the lineups:

The line-ups are in!

Today's #FIFAWorldCup Final Starting XIs for Argentina and France ⤵️
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

Argentina are playing with a sense of destiny while France just seem to know how to get things done. Will the calculative approach of Deschamps work or will Scaloni's controlled chaos come out trumps in this match?

The fireworks are already going off in the closing ceremony, now we are just waiting for the fireworks on the pitch to start!

🚨 - Acuña has physical problems. He does NOT start. Tagliafico replaces him. [@gastonedul] pic.twitter.com/Ab50s9SR8j
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 18, 2022

The King has arrived 👑#Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #LionelMessi𓃵 #ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/KPsaYxgGRW
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

BREAKING: Acuna is out of the Starting XI due to an injury issue - Nicolas Tagliafico to replace him

How much of an impact will this have?

Kylian Mbappe, has of course, already scored in a World Cup final when he scored against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup. Can Lionel Messi be the star of the show and cement his legacy as the GOAT tonight? Or will Mbappe become the first player since Pele to score in consecutive World Cup finals?

The atmosphere is absolutely electric and we are just about an hour away from kick-off

Everything is set for the final! 🙌🏻 🇦🇷#ArgentinaVsFrance #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/in5ZB9X0ag
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

While everyone has rightly been focussed on Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, there are plenty of other players who can grab the headlines. Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud have both scored 4 goals each already and can definitely have a say in the final.

In midfield, Antoine Griezmann has been extremely impressive in his new role covering every blade of grass for Deschamps' side while Rodrigo de Paul and Enzo Fernandez will look to neutralize his threat tonight

WORLD CUP 2022 FINAL MATCHDAY! 🇦🇷🇫🇷

Are you team Argentina or team France? 🧐#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/4qKvztehlh
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022

Angel Di Maria is back for Argentina. The 34-year-old has proven himself on the big stage and even scored the goal against Brazil in the Copa America final.

For France - Ibrahima Konate misses out as Upamecano comes back into the Starting XI. A surprising call by Deschamps as the Liverpool defender was exceptional against Morocco

TEAM NEWS

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; Di María, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Leo Messi, Julián Álvarez.

France: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Théo Hernandez; Antoine Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé.

The line-ups for the final are out! Some big calls made by both Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps

Hello and welcome to football's biggest game! It is Argentina vs France. Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe. One player trying to establish himself and cement his legacy as the Greatest of All time (GOAT) while another player trying to enter the conversation and make his claim.

Will it be the languid elegance of Lionel Messi or the breakneck speed of Mbappe which comes out on top night? Kick-off is just about 90 minutes away and we will have all the answers soon

Date & Time

18 December, Sun 08:30 PM IST

Tournament

FIFA World Cup

Stadium

Lusail Iconic Stadium

POLL :

POLL : Which team will win?

Head To Head Summary

Match Details

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Head To Head Summary

Highlights

Argentina vs France 3-3: Official Match Highlights

Key Stats

Head To Head Summary

POLL : Which team will win?

Match Details

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Match Details

Match Details

Ball Possession

Offense

Defense

Distribution

Discipline

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