Argentina vs France, Messi vs Mbappé: The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has its dream final. What are the lineups for the two teams going into the race?
On Sunday (December 18, 2022, from 4 p.m. live on ARD and in the live stream on sportschau.de) there will be the showdown of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. France wants to be the first team in 60 years (Brazil 1962) to defend the World Cup title, Argentina finally wants to triumph again after 36 years of waiting.
This is how France could play
Coach Didier Deschamps has only 24 players available since the first game against Australia (4-1) out of 26 allowed. The 54-year-old coach did not nominate anyone to replace Karim Benzema, who left injured shortly before the start. In addition, Lucas Hernández was injured against the “Socceroos” heavy.
Lloris will make history
But Deschamps has his tribe that he trusts. Against Argentina, the 1998 world champion captain will rely on his proven 4-3-3 system, which can be modified into a 4-2-3-1 depending on the game situation.
As always, captain Hugo Lloris will be in goal. The keeper of the Tottenham Hotspur is already a record French national player. With his appearance in the final, the 35-year-old can write history and become the sole World Cup record goalkeeper (before Manuel Neuer).
Koundé has outstripped Pavard
Jules Koundé should start at the back right. The professional from FC Barcelona is actually at home in central defense, gives the “blues” but the full-back. He has overtaken Benjamin Pavard, who started at right-back in France’s World Cup opener against Australia.
Theo Hernández is on the left. The AC Milan player seized the opportunity offered by his brother Lucas’ injury and, with 437 minutes out of a possible 540, has the fourth most playing time of any outfield player for the French side. Theo Hernández impressed with strong performances and brought the “Team Tricolore” in the semi-final against Morocco (2-0) with his goal to make it 1-0 early on the road to victory.
France defender caught cold
It’s going to be exciting in central defence. Defense chief Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté, who started against Morocco, are both suffering from cold symptoms. The recently injured Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich, previously played in the center of the French defence, could return to the starting eleven. Prognosis: If all three central defenders are fit, Deschamps will rely on Varane and Upamecano.
The French three-man midfield will be occupied as in previous games. Aurelién Tchouameni will play on the six and try to plug all the holes. The 22-year-old took advantage of the opportunity at the 2022 World Cup that was presented to him thanks to the absence of established forces like N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba. Depending on the game situation, Adrien Rabiot will act next to or in front of him, the interaction between the two works at a high level.
Griezmann suddenly a worker bee
Antoine Griezmann completes the three-man midfield in a new, more defensive role. The top scorer of the EM 2016, then still as a striker, has a lot of freedom up front, but he has to deliver on defense. Griezmann has so far done both tasks with flying colors in Qatar.
In the front row are the “Bleus” Kylian Mbappé (left), Olivier Giroud (attack center) and Ousmane Dembélé (right). For Deschamps there is no reason to change anything before the final.
This is how Argentina could play
Argentina also has little reason to do anything differently than it did last time. After all, the 3-0 win against Croatia was the South Americans’ best game in the tournament, and they will probably tackle their mission of “third world title” in a 4-4-2 system. During the tournament, the Argentines have also played in 4-3-3 and 5-3-2, although 4-4-2 is the most likely given the French offensive power.
Emiliano Martínez will be in goal. The keeper of AstonVilla is a safe support for his team, in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands (2:2, 4:3) he advanced to his team’s guarantee of victory as a penalty killer.
Nahuel Molina (right), Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi (both inside) and returnees Marcos Acuna (missed yellow card against Croatia) or Nicolas Tagliafico (right) could start in the back four. Central defender Lisandro Martinez, still in the starting XI in the semi-final against Croatia, will probably have to be on the bench first.
Proven formation in midfield
Rodrigo de Paul is on the right in midfield, while Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernandez, who has been a strong performer in Qatar so far, pull the strings in the middle. On the left, Alexis Mac Allister, one of the discoveries of the 2022 World Cup, has had a regular place since Argentina’s second group game.
Messi and Alvarez in attack
You don’t have to waste a lot of words on the “Albiceleste” attack. Lionel Messi is the captain, leader and driver of Argentina. The six-time FIFA World Player of the Year trumps in Qatar with top performances and is determined to lead his team to the World Cup title.
With Julián Álvarez, Messi has the perfect partner in the storm of the “selection” by his side. The 22-year-old has been world-famous since his solo over half the pitch in the 2-0 win against Croatia. The only 1.70 meter tall striker is a “mentality monster” and is far from having reached the end of his development.
However, one thing is already clear before the final: no matter who is playing – the dream final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will electrify the football world.
Expected Lineups
France: Lloris – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Hernández – Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann – Mbappé, Giroud, Dembélé
Argentina: Martínez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna – de Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister – Messi, Álvarez