The stage is set for the 2022 World Cup final, as Argentina take on defending champions France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Argentina trounced Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals of the World Cup earlier this week thanks to a brace from Julian Alvarez and a strike from Lionel Messi. La Albiceleste, in fact, have got better as the tournament progressed after the shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their first group-stage game and, Lionel Scaloni’s men will head to the final with great confidence.
Having been eliminated by France in the Round of 16 during the 2018 World Cup, this will be the perfect opportunity for the South American giants to avenge their defeat and taste glory in Qatar.
Argentina Team News
Lionel Messi gave an almighty scare to Argentina and their fans when he was seen holding the back of his leg against Croatia but he was quick to stress he felt “really good” after the game.
There is hope that Angel di Maria will be fully fit for the World Cup final, while both Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna will be available for selection following their suspensions.
Predicted Argentina Lineup vs Croatia (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 victory over Croatia in the semi-finals, which should give him a lot of confidence heading into the final of the showpiece event.
Defence
Lionel Scaloni could revert to a 4-3-3 system against France. The Argentina backline could see just one change with Marcos Acuna walking back straight into the starting XI after serving his suspension, replacing Nicolas Tagliafico at left-back in the Argentina lineup.
The rest of the defensive spots will continue to feature Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Nahuel Molina, as Argentina look to keep Kylian Mbappe and co. at bay on Sunday.
Midfield
Ball-playing defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes could drop out from the first XI despite his strong performance against Croatia, thus, creating room for another attacking player to come in. This means a midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo de Paul and Enzo Fernandez could possibly start against France in the Argentina lineup.
With Fernandez sitting deep and shielding the backline, Mac Allister and De Paul will be given the license to get forward and join in the Argentina attacks. They will have the big task of disrupting France’s rhythm as well as dominating the ball.
Attack
Lionel Messi is the leader of the Argentina attack, and with five goals and three assists in six games, he is in scintillating form at the moment. He can change the course of the game in one blink of an eye, as evidenced against Croatia, and France will need to come up with a plan to contain the mercurial Messi in the final.
Julian Alvarez has been the perfect foil for Messi in attack with four goals at the World Cup. He is a certainty to start on the left flank, with a fully-fit Angel di Maria expected to feature on the right in the Argentina lineup.