FIFA World Cup: Argentina vs France, Prediction and preview

    In what is probably his final World Cup game, Messi will get another opportunity at triumph and break the record for most finals appearances (26) ever.

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    The 1-0 loss to Germany in the final eight years ago involved the captain of Argentina. France then defeated their attempt to win the title in Russia 2018 in the round of 16.

    However, Messi has led his team to the Lusail Stadium championship match this time, where France will once again be their opponent.

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Messi has lifted both the Copa América and Finalissima trophy in the last year and a half πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·πŸ†<br><br>Will he be lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy tomorrow? πŸ€” <a href="https://t.co/eRLRaITRpg">pic.twitter.com/eRLRaITRpg</a></p>&mdash; FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1604250087084986368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    Even though France have a favourable record against Argentina, having faced them in 12 different events and losing two of three World Cup matches, their thrilling 4-3 victory at the last World Cup put Didier Deschamps' team on the path to success.

    Hugo Lloris could become the first player to command a side to consecutive finals victories. In contrast, Didier Deschamps might become the first coach to accomplish it since Vittorio Pozzo led Italy to both victories in the 1930s.

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·πŸ‡«πŸ‡·Argentina vs France Head to Head Records;<br><br>🏟️12 games<br>πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·6 wins<br>πŸ‡«πŸ‡·3 wins<br>🀝3 draws<br><br>πŸ†1930πŸ‡«πŸ‡·0-1πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1965πŸ‡«πŸ‡·0-0πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1971πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·3-4πŸ‡«πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1971 πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·2-0πŸ‡«πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1972πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·0-0πŸ‡«πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1974πŸ‡«πŸ‡·0-1πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1977πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·0-0πŸ‡«πŸ‡·<br>πŸ†1978πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·2-1πŸ‡«πŸ‡·<br>🏟️1986πŸ‡«πŸ‡·2-0πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>🏟️2007πŸ‡«πŸ‡·0-1πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>🏟️2009πŸ‡«πŸ‡·0-2πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<br>πŸ†2018πŸ‡«πŸ‡·4-3πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARG</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRA</a> <a href="https://t.co/FDkHf8hrZO">pic.twitter.com/FDkHf8hrZO</a></p>&mdash; FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) <a href="https://twitter.com/alimo_philip/status/1604104013414371329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    Indeed, Les Bleus have won seven World Cup knockout games in a row, two more than Brazil, as they seek to become only the third team to defend their championship successfully. 

    Deschamps' illness-affected side have rarely found that perfect defensive formula in Qatar and may have lost to Morocco on another day. Still, their tendency for rapid-fire counter-attacks should come to the fore anyway.

    However, an Argentina team that have only been unable to score more than once against Saudi Arabia can expose Les Bleus' defensive flaws while also channelling their defensive ability. 

    Fairytale endings are never guaranteed in football, but fans worldwide may now hope to see Messi with both hands on the 18-karat gold trophy.

    We predict Argentina to win.

    Team's predicted line-up

    Argentina: E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.

    France: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.

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