It will go down in history as one of the most fiercely fought Fifa World Cup finals as France have come from behind twice to now stretch the game into the penalties. Argentina had the game in their hand with just six minutes remaining on the clock. But yet another defensive error gifted yet another penalty to France and Mbappe who converted to make it 8 goals in the tournament.
In 2014, Messi was denied by Germany and Mario Goetze. He was denied by penalty shoot-outs and Chile in Copa America too, not once but twice during that same phase. However, times have changed and the little magician has already won the Copa America as skipper with Argentina and also bounced back brilliantly in this Fifa World Cup after an early defeat by Saudi Arabia.
The momentum is with Argentina, especially the way in which they have managed to reach the finale. The likes of Acuna, Molina, Paredes, Enzo Fernandez and especially Alvarez, would be looking to shell all their pressure and support the dream of one man called Messi.
On the other hand, France have the chance to become only the third team after Italy and Brazil to win back-to-back World Cups. While the Azurri did it in 1934 and 1938, the Brazilian team achieved a similar team in 1958 and 62.
If France, led by the likes of Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe in the front and Antoine Griezmann, Rabiot and Dembele in the middle achieves this feat, they would become the first team to do so in the 21st century.
Argentina Starting 11
Emiliano Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
Formation: 4-4-2
France Starting 11
Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud
Formation: 4-2-3-1
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