And then there were two. These Argentina vs. France predictions take a look at a highly intriguing World Cup final between two star-studded teams.
Argentina vs. France odds
1 – The draw – 2/1
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 8/15
3 – Both teams to score – 1/1
4 – Lionel Messi to score at anytime – 7/4
5 – France to lift the trophy – 10/11
After a tournament full of shocks and surprises, we have a final between two teams that many people might have predicted would make it this far. We also have the mouth-watering prospect of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé vying to be the star of the show.
Lionel Messi has, unsurprisingly, been at the forefront of just about everything Argentina have done over the last few weeks and it would be no great surprise if he was able to add a goal in a World Cup final to his list of personal achievements.
He will be the main reason why La Albiceleste will probably take the current World champions past the regulation 90 minutes in the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Whether he gets to lift the trophy is another question altogether though.
Millions of football fans across the world will be cheering Argentina on in the hope that Messi finally wins a World Cup before he retires from international football. But France have shown that they can beat anyone in this competition – and not always after playing in top gear.
Like Messi, Kylian Mbappé will be the focal point of the French team. But it is a team that Didier Deschamps has fostered – and the likes of Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Hugo Lloris will be just as important to France’s chances of winning the World Cup.
As much as a Messi-led victory will be memorable, a French victory will be historic. It will be the first time since 1962 that a nation has won the tournament twice in a row. It will break Argentinian hearts, but this is a France team that could be about to go down in history.
How to stream Argentina vs. France
Argentina vs. France will be shown by national television broadcasters and will be available online around the world.
Argentina vs. France last five matches
Argentina last five matches
France last five matches
Argentina top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 7 | |
| 4 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
France top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 8 | |
| 4 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Argentina vs. France line-ups
Argentina (4-4-2): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; de Paul, Paredes, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Konaté, Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Fofana; Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni will be overjoyed that he is able to include Paulo Dybala in his plans now, after the Roma striker appeared as a sub in the semi-final. But he will surely look to Julián Álvarez to lead the line and score the goals alongside Lionel Messi on Sunday. Nicolás Tagliafico could keep his place at left back as well.
France team news
Didier Deschamps has relied on a core group of players during this tournament (apart from the wholesale changes for the Tunisia dead rubber) and will see little need for rotation for Sunday’s final. Adrien Rabiot will hope to be back from illness, but Youssouf Fofana will be able to deputise again if needed. Ibrahima Konaté could start at the back again as well, in place of Dayot Upamecano.