Argentina face defending champions France within the World Cup remaining on Sunday with Lionel Messi looking for to win the honour that has to this point eluded one in every of soccer’s biggest ever gamers. In his manner stands the prolific Kylian Mbappe and a France crew aiming to win back-to-back World Cups for the primary time since Pele’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Forward of the ultimate, let’s check out a number of the keys to the sport:
Messi v Mbappe?
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain, however just one will return to the French capital joyful. Each have scored 5 occasions en path to the ultimate, with Messi specifically rising in affect the deeper Argentina have progressed at what’s his final World Cup.
They may have a giant say over who hoists the trophy, the searing tempo and devastating ending of Mbappe up in opposition to the mesmerising shut management, precision and imaginative and prescient of Messi.
Three of Messi’s targets have been scored from the penalty spot, whereas all 5 of Mbappe’s have come from open play — primarily the results of fast transitions the place France are at their most harmful.
Can Argentina exploit France’s left aspect?
Messi produced one of many moments of the match when he danced down the fitting wing, twisting Josko Gvardiol inside out, earlier than pulling again for Julian Alvarez to seal Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Croatia within the semi-finals.
That Messi was in a position to have his manner with among the finest defenders at this World Cup suggests France’s left aspect might be an space Argentina will assault with regularity.
Mbappe has been given the liberty to roam for France however very hardly ever does he get again to assist out defensively, a degree Didier Deschamps addressed by bringing on Marcus Thuram in opposition to Morocco with France defending a 1-0 lead.
Theo Hernandez is a extra dynamic left-back than his injured brother Lucas, but it surely may enable Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina — arrange by Messi for the opening purpose within the quarter-final in opposition to the Dutch — to push ahead as effectively.
Virus considerations in France squad?
France left Adrien Rabiot behind on the crew resort for the sport in opposition to Morocco, whereas Ibrahim Konate changed Dayot Upamecano in defence after the pair skilled “flu-like” signs within the build-up.
Deschamps downplayed considerations over Upamecano, who was effectively sufficient to take a seat on the bench, and mentioned Rabiot “ought to be accessible” for the ultimate.
However there was certainly rising unease Friday on the sickness spreading by way of the squad when Konate, Raphael Varane and Kingsley Coman all sat out coaching attributable to sickness.
“There may be little little bit of flu going round however nothing critical,” mentioned Randal Kolo Muani, scorer of France’s second purpose in opposition to Morocco lower than a minute after approaching in its place.
Will Griezmann proceed to dictate play?
Mbappe and Olivier Giroud have mixed for 9 of France’s 13 targets, however Antoine Griezmann has flourished in a playmaking position in midfield — his diminishing strike fee offset by inventive output.
Griezmann is third on France’s listing of all-time main scorers with 42 targets, the final of which came to visit a 12 months in the past in an 8-0 rout of Kazakhstan.
With accidents forcing Deschamps’ hand, his resolution to deploy Griezmann in a deeper place has labored wonders, with the Atletico Madrid star now centered on supplying the frontmen.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a compact four-man midfield in opposition to Croatia, limiting the time and house for Luka Modric to successfully strip the opposition of their principal weapon.
His plan to nullify the specter of Griezmann might be one to look at carefully.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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