Argentina vs France

Lionel Messi insists there is no problem with his hamstring heading into Argentina's World Cup final meeting with France on Sunday.

There is a hope Angel Di Maria will be fit for the showpiece after his injury problems, while both Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will be available following their suspension. [ionel Messi](/topic/lionel-messi) insists there is no problem with his hamstring heading into [Argentina](/topic/argentina)’s World Cup final meeting with [France](/topic/france) on Sunday. Argentina vs France lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs, injury latest for World Cup final

France will meet Argentina in the World Cup final after the world champions beat Morocco on Wednesday night.

It is increasingly looking like the script has already been written. For Argentina, the old doubts about whether or not Lionel Messi cares about the national team have surely been put to bed. While Didier Deschamps is not always the most popular figure, the Les Bleus boss is going for his third title, his second while in charge of the national team.

Argentina and France's head-to-head record ahead of their meeting in the 2022 World Cup final.

Their third meeting was the crowning moment of entertainment between France and Argentina. That was a first round group match and it was Luis Monti's goal in the 81st minute that secured an Argentina victory. Argentina would go on to win the tournament. That was some 88 years after they first locked horns, and there was also a rogue meeting in the Brazil Independence Cup of 1972 for good measure. The Albiceleste have beaten France six times, while the French have only won three of their meetings. France and Argentina are certainly no strangers to one another, having met 12 times before Sunday's final.

And then there were two. These Argentina vs. France predictions take a look at a highly intriguing World Cup final between two star-studded teams.

[Ibrahima](https://football-italia.net/player/ibrahima/) Konaté could start at the back again as well, in place of [Dayot Upamecano](https://football-italia.net/player/dayot-upamecano/). [Nicolás Tagliafico](https://football-italia.net/player/nicolas-tagliafico/) could keep his place at left back as well. [Kylian Mbappé](https://football-italia.net/player/kylian-mbappe/) will be the focal point of the French team. But France have shown that they can beat anyone in this competition – and not always after playing in top gear. Whether he gets to lift the trophy is another question altogether though. [Lionel Messi](https://football-italia.net/player/lionel-messi/) has, unsurprisingly, been at the forefront of just about everything Argentina have done over the last few weeks and it would be no great surprise if he was able to add a goal in a World Cup final to his list of personal achievements.

Argentina plays France in the 2022 World Cup final on Dec. 18. Here's what you need to know about the match.

Argentina's embassy in Doha says between 35,000 and 40,000 Argentine fans are in Qatar for the World Cup – they will all be hoping for a seat at the final. I don’t think there’s much between these teams and can see it going all the way to penalties, where Argentina will be the slight favorite. Overall in the World Cup, both nations have won the trophy twice. Argentina has looked more solid since that match but still conceded goals to Australia in the Round of 16 and two late on against Netherlands in the quarterfinal. This is the fifth World Cup for Messi, 35, and Sunday’s final will be his 26th appearance in the competition – the most of any male player. The historical head-to-head record doesn’t feel especially relevant for a huge match like the World Cup final. While Messi and Mbappé are undoubtedly the stars of their respective teams, the supporting casts have impressed too. England also had several opportunities to add to its single goal in the 2-1 defeat to France in the quarterfinal. “There’s a lot of years until the next one and I don’t think I have it in me and finishing like this is best. As well as another World Cup win, Mbappé is eyeing the golden boot award for the tournament’s top goalscorer. England managed this well despite losing in the French forward Mbappé is only 23 and one match away from lifting his second World Cup.

SportsLine's soccer model simulated Argentina vs. France 10000 times and locked in its 2022 FIFA World Cup final picks and predictions for Sunday.

- France vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? And which side has all the value? He is the nation's all-time leader in appearances with 144 and has eight clean sheets in 19 World Cup matches. The defense should come in with more confidence after holding Morocco scoreless, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' experience in back is critical. Messi has put 10 of 23 on net (43.4%), and Les Bleus have put 33 of 92 on target (35.9%). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. France odds, with France and Argentina both priced at +175 on the 90-minute money line (risk $100 to win $175). The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. Caesars Sportsbook lists the match as a pick'em in its latest Argentina vs. France also won the title in 1998, while Argentina are the 1978 and 1986 World Cup champions. Reigning champion France finally ended the dream of Morocco, taking the lead in the fifth minute on Wednesday and closing out the 2-0 victory.