FIFA WC 2022 | Argentina vs France Preview & Prediction | H2H | Line-up

After 63 pulsating battles and a journey started with 32 teams, the stage is set for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 as Argentina and France battle it out for the ultimate glory on Sunday (December 18) at the Lusail stadium. 

While the entire world will have its eyes on the showpiece final, players like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will be busy forging their respective legacies. With only one team walking out as the champion of the world, it’s hard to make a case for either team to walk out empty-handed.

Argentina vs France Head to Head

Argentina will have fresh memories from this 2-3 defeat against France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup after they met in the Round of 16. This will be the fourth time both France and Argentina meet at the FIFA World Cup as the French army look to settle scores having trailed 1-2 in the previous three matches. The first meeting between the sides came in the inaugural edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1930 while they next met in the 1978 World Cup when Argentina would go on to win the whole thing.

Overall this will be the 13th time Argentina and France go head-to-head on the global stage while they haven’t enjoyed their outings against the big boys from South America. In the previous 12 meetings with Lionel Scaloni’s men, France have won on three occasions including their last World Cup meeting. The South American giants however have the upper hand with six wins in the 12 meetings and would like to continue their dominance this time as well.

Argentina vs France Head to Head

FIFA World Cup 2022 so far

It is worth noting that Argentina started their FIFA World Cup 2022 journey with a defeat against Saudi Arabia where they were dismantled 1-2. But steady recovery saw them beat Mexico 2-0 which was followed by another win against Poland by the same margin in the final group game.

In the Round of 16 encounters, the South American Champions had to hold their nerves as they won by 2-1 while their quarterfinal match against the Netherlands saw them surrender a 2-0 lead to go into extra time where they prevailed on penalties. In the semifinal match though there was no love loss for the Argentines as they beat Croatia 3-0 and advanced to the final.

France on the flip side started their journey with a 4-1 thumping of Australia and then followed that with a 2-1 win against Denmark in the group stage. In the final group game, they lost to Tunisia by 0-1, which proved to be a dead rubber as France were already through as the group winners for the Round of 16. In the last 16, they beat Poland 3-1 and followed that with a win against England by a margin of 2-1 where Harry Kane missed a penalty. The semifinal match saw them bring the fairytale story of Morocco to come to an end as they beat them 2-0 in absence of some of their big names.

Journeys to the World Cup 2022 final

Argentina's road to the final

Match 1: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia - Loser (1-2)

Match 2: Argentina vs Mexico - Winner (2-0)

Match 3: Argentina vs Poland - Winner (0-2)

Round of 16: Argentina vs Australia - Winner (2-1)

Quarterfinals: Argentina vs Netherlands - Winner on penalties (4-3)

Semifinals: Argentina vs Croatia - Winner (3-0)

France's road to the final

Match 1: France vs Australia - Winner (4-1)

Match 2: France vs Denmark - Winner (2-1)

Match 3: France vs Tunisia - Loser (0-1)

Round of 16: France vs Poland - Winner (3-1)

Quarterfinals: France vs England - Winner (2-1)

Semifinals: France vs Morocco - Winner (2-0)

World Cup Record

Argentina

France

Argentina vs France Predicted Lineup

Argentina (5-3-2): 

Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

France (4-2-3-1): 

Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud (some players could miss out subject to health issues)

Argentina vs France Date, kick-off time, and venue

The FIFA World Cup 2022 Final encounter on Sunday, December 18 will kick-off at 8:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM Local Time

Venue

Lusail Stadium in Lusail

Prediction