World Cup 2022: Final Pair are Pure Class

Argentina vs France

It’s finally here folks; after three and a half weeks, 62 games and over 100 hours of unbelievable action and drama. we’re at the climax.

France will meet Argentina at the Lusail Stadium for the World Cup 2022 final and you could hardly have a better match-up. These are, without doubt, two of the best teams on the planet and both eased their way to the final; Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 while France saw off the gallant Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Didier Deschamps is looking to lead Les Bleus to the World crown for the second time in succession, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1962, and the latest World Cup 2022 betting odds can hardly split these two teams… and that’s how a World Cup final should be.

We have the sub plot of the Paris Saint-Germain megastars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe coming head to head and a plethora of other stars at the top of their game. For France, Antoine Griezmann has been a class act, linking up play and stretching defences with his smart play, while Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez has been the break-out star of the tournament.

Two days to go and the Greatest Show on Earth will stop us in our tracks all; around the world and I, for one, can’t wait!      

Talking Points

Are the stars aligned for Messi?

If ever there was a moment for the brightest star in world football to shine, then maybe this is it. For so long Messi led Argentina without success and had considered retiring from international football. But a 2021 Copa America title, which ended a 28-year silverware drought for La Albiceleste, re-ignited the nation’s passion and pride and they now turn to Messi for one last hurrah.   

We have had a glimpse of the post-Messi Argentina through Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez but the Argentine talisman showed just what he can do in the semi-final match against Croatia. He clinically dispatched a first half penalty and then went on a mesmerising run down the right flank, changing pace to shake off the attention of the Croatian centre back, before pulling a prefect ball back for Alvarez to slot home the third.

Messi isn’t always involved in the action these days, but when he is, he makes something happen and it remains one of the best sights in football.

Can Molina stop Mbappe?

The man with the biggest job in Argentina’s defence is right back Nahuel Molina. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid star will have the task of keeping Mbappe quiet, which is easier said than done. Manchester City wingback Kyle Walker did an excellent job on the Frenchman when England met France, but he is blessed with blistering pace, and Molina will have to be at his sharpest on Sunday. Argentina can’t afford to double mark Mbappe because France have other players who can create openings. Griezmann put in a brilliant cross for Giroud to convert to put England out of the World Cup at the quarter final, while Ousmane Dembele can be devastating on his day.

Molina and his fellow defenders won’t need much motivation to help their captain on Sunday but, if they do, they can look back to a comment Mbappe made in September in an interview with the New York Times. The PSG man said: “I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So of course it’s a new generation. And Ronaldo, Messi – you’re gonna stop. We have to find someone else, someone new.”

Mbappe may not be particularly respectful, but those words might just come back to bite him on the bum!

A Four Way shootout for the Golden Boot

Messi and Mbappe have five goals each and are in the lead for the Golden Boot, but the next two in line, Alvarez and Giroud have four. There has never been such an exciting race for this coveted title and it could easily go any way. We might end up with four players on five and, as Alvarez proved against Croatia he’s in good nick and capable of grabbing another brace, while who would bet against France’s top scorer of all time, Giroud, from providing a moment or two of genius? 

History

Argentina have met France five times in the past and come out on top on all but one occasion, and that was the most recent encounter, a 4-3 defeat in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16.       

Recent form over the past six games is identical for the two sides with five wins and a defeat each, but Argentina came into the tournament in better form and have a fully fit squad to choose from, while France came to Qatar with a few absentees, notably striker Karim Benzema.   

Betting Tip

Argentina are at SBOTOP odds of 2.78 to win in 90 minutes while France are a little shorter at 2.65 with the draw at 3.00. I think we could be in for a classic final with two of the best attacks in world football ready to fire on all cylinders and four strikers scoring for fun.

We’ll be back with our last World Cup 2022 updates of the tournament over the weekend but there is one thing we can guarantee…high drama.

 

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