credit: Sports Brief
The FIFA World Cup 2022 has reached it's final stages as the defending champions, France are scheduled to face Argentina in the final on Sunday, December 18 at the Lusail Stadium. Despite losing a match in the group stage, both Argentina and France finished at the top of their respective group and went on winning every game to reach the finals.
France and Argentina have faced each other thrice in the World Cups as the 2021 Copa America winners dominate the fixture with two wins in 1930 and 178 group stage while Les Bleus claimed the recent victory in the FIFA World Cup 2018 Round of 16.
Defending champions France are considered as the favorites to lift the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time to join the likes of Brazil and Germany. On the other hand, Lionel Messi-led Argentina are also the favorites to win the title after losing the World Cup final in 2014.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe has continued his good performance from the 2018 World Cup and produced nightmares for the defenders and goalkeepers in the tournament.
France forward Antoine Griezmann has created the most chances in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and is expected to continue his promising form in the final against Argentina. Forwards like Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud have also impressed with their stunning performances in the tournament.
France midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot have been the perfect replacements for injured Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante so far in Qatar. Giroud and Mbappe have scored twice in the knockouts for France while strikes from Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez also helped France in the quarterfinal and the semifinal matches.
With quick forwards like Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann, France are expected to expose the Argentina defence by infiltrating in the opponents box and continuously creating threats in front of the goal. On the other hand, French defensive line include players like Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane and Theo Hernandez, who are extremely demanding and wouldn't be easy to beat.
France captain Hugo Lloris will be responsible to keep the ball clear off the goal post while players like, Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana can also prove to be the difference makers during the FIFA World Cup 2022 final against Argentina.
