Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will battle when Argentina takes on defending champions France in a heavyweight World Cup final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday evening.
La albiceleste made their way into the last two after they secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Croatia courtesy of a brace by Julián Álvarez and a goal by Lionel Messi at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail.
Les Bleus, meanwhile, advanced to the final of the tournament after they claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over surprise package Morocco through goals by Theo Hernández and substitute Randal Kolo Muani at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor.
France coach Didier Deschamps: “Messi has been in scintillating form since the start of the tournament.
“Four years ago things were different. He played as a centre forward, whereas now he is playing in a front two or just in behind the striker.
“He looks in great shape and of course he is one of the best players in the world so we will try to counter Messi’s threat as much as possible, just as Argentina will try to stop the influence of some of my players.”
In the last meeting between the two sides, France secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina when a brace by Kylian Mbappe and goals from Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Pavard cancelled out goals by Ángel Di María, Gabriel Mercado and Sergio Agüero at the Kazan Arena on Saturday, 30 June 2018.
Lionel Scaloni is only expected to have Papu Gómez sidelined for the encounter, while Didier Deschamps is most likely to be without the services of Adrien Rabiot.
Lionel Messi has been the star at the World Cup for Argentina as he looks to secure his first World Cup title in what will be his final appearance at the tournament, having already contributed to eight goals, including five goals and three assists.
Kylian Mbappe has been a revelation for France having scored five goals and assisted a further two as he looks to fire his side to a second successive World Cup title.
Argentina’s World Cup Form:
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France’s World Cup Form:
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