The giant trophy at stake for Lionel Messi, who will have the final opportunity to be a world champion when his Argentina contest holders France for ultimate supremacy this afternoon at the Lusail Stadium in the grand finale of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
This epic tie promises nothing but an electrifying end to end contest, skills, excitement and goals as both nations chase their third World Cup triumph
The South Americans will hope to end their 36 year long drought of not winning the competition with their last victory happening against Germany in 1986 in Mexico, led by manager Carlos Bilardo and starman Diego Amando Maradona.
France on the other hand, will keep tabs on nothing but joining the list of countries to have won the Mundial on two consecutive occasions, with two moments recorded already in the competition's history- Italy (1934 & 1938) and Brazil (1958 & 1962). This incredible feet is yet to be replicated by any other country in the last sixty years.
One will say the Albiceleste haven't been somehow lucky in previous years, with their last two World Cup final appearances all ending bizarrely- coincidentally losing both to Germany in Italy- 1990 and Brazil- 2014.
Les Blues, might not have many final appearances as their opponents, albeit have won all two they have managed to play- the host and win in 1998 and Russia 2018.
Argentina's appaling start to the tourney- losing to Saudi Arabia in their first game, didn't kill but rather revived them to rise above all others to finish winners of Group C, after victories over Mexico and Poland in their other two matches.
Hard fought win over Australia, coupled with penalty shootouts victory over Holland in the knockouts gave them some glimpses of hope to reach the coveted trophy.
Croatia kicking out one of huge favourites Brazil gave many a football faithful, a chance of securing another final spot but a five star display from Lionel Messi and his teammate outwit them with a 3-0 defeat to bow out of the competition.
Julian Alvarez's brace on the day has gotten him tied up with Olivier Giroud on four goals each, whereas Lionel Messi joined Kylian Mbappe on five goals each at the top with his first half penalty.
With France, they begun the competition on a blistering note, having topped their group despite slipping narrowly to Tunisia in their final group game.
Didier Deschamps men ended the hoodoo of not making above the quarter final as reigning champions in recent years, after beating Poland and England to cruise into the last four.
Goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani was enough to earn the holders another place in the final after sending Morocco packing with a 2-0 victory.
TEAM NEWS
Lionel Scaloni was forced to exclude Gonzalo Montiel and first choice left-back Marcus Acuna from his squad for the last game due to suspension but they look ready this time.
Angel Di Maria after failing to start in their last three games due to injury, is now fully fit so as the other players and will all be available for selection, excluding Papu Gomez who still looks doubtful.
On the opposition end, a strange virus broke out in the French national team camp which saw players like Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coeman, Andrien Rabiot, Raphael Varane, Aurelien Tchouameni all getting affected.
However, the pleasant news for Deschamps is that, all those have recovered and took part in their final training session, looking ready for the game.
PROBABLE XI
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
France: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
ASSISTANT I: Pawel Sokolnicki (Poland)
ASSISTANT II: Tomasz Listkiewicz (Poland)
4TH REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
ASSISTANT VAR: Juan Soto ( Venezuela)
OFFSIDE VAR: Kyle Atkins (USA)
SUPPORT VAR: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
TV CHANNELS
SuperSport, beIN sports, GTVSPORTS+, StarTimes, TV3, MX24, Globe TV, Onua TV, UTV, GHOne,
KICKOFF: 1500GMT (3:00pm)
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
