2022 World Cup Qatar: FINAL - Argentina vs. France

Argentina Match 64 France
18 December 2022
18:00 local time (7:00 AM PST / 10:00 AM EST)

LA GRAN FINAL​

Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar) - 88,966 capacity




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Historical head-to-head record:



12 games played: 6 Argentina wins, 3 Draws, 3 France Wins

Argentina and France have previously met three times at the World Cup stage.

The first time Argentina and France met was actually at the first ever 1930 FIFA World Cup. Argentina won said match 1-0 with a goal by the historic Luis Monti, a result which ended up being very important for Argentina to advance from Group 1 (at the time only one team made it out of each group).

The second encounter would occur nearly five decades later, when they clashed again in Group 1 of the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Argentina won that match 2-1 with goals by Daniel Passarella (PK) and Leopoldo Luque (Platini scored for the French side), in what turned out to be another decisive win: if Argentina had tied or lost this match, France would have advanced from the group stage instead and Argentina wouldn't have lifted their first World Cup trophy that year.



Additionally, the 1978 2-1 Argentina victory was the last time a CONMEBOL side beat France at a World Cup.

The third and most recent World Cup encounter took place in the Round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup, where France took home a 4-3 win that began their knockout path to the title. Antoine Griezmanne scored an early goal for France through a penalty kick after a completely ridiculous Marcos Rojo foul in the box, although Argentina was able to flip the score thanks to a golazo from Angel Di Maria and a Gabriel Mercado tap.

However, France were able to tie the match in the second half with an unstoppable Benjamin Pavard volley, which was followed shortly after by two Kylian Mbappe goals that pretty much sealed the deal. Argentina attempted a comeback and were able to make a push with a late Sergio Aguero header that diminished the scoreline difference, but ultimately were not able to achieve the miracle. This was the first time that Argentina lost a competitive international game despite scoring three or more goals.



Dear lord... look at that play by Fazio at 7:15

Players still present from the 2018 encounter include:
Argentina -- Armani, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Di Maria, and Messi. Acuña and Dybala were on the bench, but did not play.
France -- Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Griezmann, Giroud, and Mbappe. Mandanda, Areola, and Ousmane Dembele were on the bench, but did not play.

Other than that the historical record between the two sides is composed of strictly friendly exhibitions. Messi scored an absolute golazo on them in a 2009 friendly held in Marseille that ended 2-0 in favor of Argentina.



Full match highlights (the atmosphere actually made it look like a real WC match):



Di Maria was also on the bench but did not feature.
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France's form leading up to the WC:

- Finished first (undefeated) in Group D of UEFA's WCQs. In total, their qualifying campaign consisted of 5 wins and 3 draws (tied with Ukraine -twice- and Bosnia)

- Most recent UEFA Euros participation: 2020 (played in 2021), eliminated in Round of 16 by Switzerland after losing 5-4 in PK shootout following a 3-3 draw.

- Most recent UEFA Nations League participation:
2022-23 (currently ongoing), eliminated -- Finished 3rd in Group A1 behind Croatia and Denmark, only finding 1 win in 6 games.

2020-21, Champions -- beat Spain 2-1 in the final

- 10 most recent results:

- June 2022: 1-1 vs. Austria
- June 2022: 1-0 L vs. Croatia
- September 2022: 2-0 W vs. Austria
- September 2022: 2-0 L vs. Denmark
- November 2022: 4-1 W vs. Australia
- November 2022: 2-1 W vs. Denmark
- November 2022: 1-0 L vs. Tunisia
- November 2022: 3-1 W vs. Poland
- November 2022: 2-1 W vs. England
- November 2022: 2-0 W vs. Morocco​

 

I cheated and pre-wrote this post last night so I could have it ready as soon at the France-Morocco semifinal finished

 

No, but mostly because we don't have a history against them. It would have been a quick post.

Anyway dear lord, look at that 2009 Messi golazo vs. France.. I had completely forgotten about that

 

Praying it's not Sampaio, who is one of the candidates. Not because he's Brazilian, but because he is downright a terrible ref. Absolute trash.

 

I’m pretty sure he’ll make it.

Vs Croatia I think him being on the bench was just a tactical decision and the idea was to bring him in in the second half, but since he wasn’t needed they just let him rest

 

LMAO! I wish.. they really do owe me a check or two

 

The best part is that Meza sub lolol

Trying to make a comeback and you use your last sub on that chump.. leave Dybala on the bench. Even Higuain would have been more useful in that match