For fans and experts alike, Argentina and France staged the best World Cup final in history. In a script worthy of the production of Hollywood films, the final between the two teams that have won the World Cup had everything: penalties, beautiful goals, hard tackles, comebacks, and a lot of emotion.
Argentina and France met in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup. On that occasion, the teams also played a very busy game and France won (4-3). Le Bleu would become the champion of that edition of the World Cup, but the Albiceleste would not forget that defeat.
Fate wanted the teams to meet again in 2022. After winning the Copa América against Brazil, in 2021, Argentina regained the confidence it had lost – they spent many years without being champions – and focused on the World Cup title in Qatar.
In a match involved in so much history and so much rivalry, we could only hope for a great game. And that’s exactly what we saw.
When:
Sunday, December 18 at 10:00 AM ET at the Lusail Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Argentina +182
France +173
Draw-Offs:
+204
The World Cup Final: Argentina vs. France – Match Analysis
Coach Lionel Scaloni took the team to the field without many changes, but promoted the entry of Ángel Di Maria on the left side, who was strategically positioned to attack the right side of France. The Juventus striker scored Argentina’s second goal and, while he was on the field, he was, along with Messi, the main player in the Argentine attack system. Regarding the first goal, it was (another) very discussed penalty, and could be the only stain in the triumph of an Argentine side that was better for almost all the game.
France was unable to deal with Argentina’s control of the game and did not have any chance to score in the first half. Coach Didier Deschamps, realizing the team’s difficulty in retaining the ball, made two changes in the first half, removing Giroud and Dembele and putting Thuram and Kolo Muani in their places, seeking more movement and participation in the team’s defensive moments.
Di Maria’s departure at 64′ took away much of the South American team’s offensive creativity, giving the French team more possibilities to keep the ball. From then on, France got better at the game. Even with 2-0 on the scoreboard and with only 10 minutes remaining in time, Argentina was unable to hold the advantage and allowed a penalty. Mbappe scored the goal and set the match on fire.
A minute and a half later, France equalized with a beautiful goal by Mbappe, surprising everyone watching the match.
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Extra time was marked by another particular show by Messi and Mbappe, who scored a goal each and took the match to penalties. Argentina was a well-polished machine that tried to explode its rival’s weakness, while France was a poor squad with a force of nature like Mbappe doing almost everything.
Mbappe and Messi started the kicks – and scored -, but the final result of 4-2 gave the victory to the Argentinians, due to a great performance by goalkeeper Martínez, who saved two penalties.
Argentina is now a three-time world champion. Well deserved! Leo Messi has now his trophy cabinet complete and doesn’t owe anything to anyone, not the people or himself. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is now the highest scorer in World Cup finals history and got the Golden Boot with a massive 8 goals and a hat-trick in the final.
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