World Cup 2022 Final: Argentina v France Betting Preview & Odds
After 63 games, the World Cup final takes place on Sunday with two giants of international football battling for the biggest prize of all, the World Cup. France v Argentina should be a classic, as both teams have genuinely world-class players. So join us one last time as we preview the World Cup final.
Two deserving teams are in the World Cup finals for being the most consistent and impressive teams in the competition.
Argentina is on course to repeat Spain’s excellence of 2010, who won the title after losing the opening game. Their only defeat came in the opening match, losing to Saudi Arabia (2 – 1), but they went ahead to win all their five games since then and have increased their urgency in games.
Lionel Messi, in particular, has delivered exceptional performances in every game. You would feel the maestro is finally destined to inspire his nation to win his nation’s third World Cup trophy after losing the 2014 edition to Germany. The South Americans have delivered spirited performances hoping to end a thirty-six-year wait for the prestigious title.
On the other hand, France has managed to get the job done regardless of their performances. Their recent wobble against Morocco shows cracks in the side, especially their inability to keep possession.
Les Blues have two titles to their name and will be hoping to win back-to-back titles as the first nation since Brazil (1958-1962) and Italy (1934-1938) to do so. They scored the earliest goal in the semi-final since 1958 against the tournament’s most stubborn defence, which will boost confidence as they try to repeat their 4 – 3 win in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
In a game that requires your best team, and with France benching players in the win against Tunisia (1 – 0), illness has struck an injury-plagued squad with Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, and Kingsley Coman.
Didier Deschamps has excellent World Cup experience winning both as a player and manager, and has made the right call in all his decisions. The battle between Messi and Mbappe on the field, alongside the touchline match-up between Deschamps and Scaloni, will be fantastic viewing.
So, in readiness, we highlight the players to watch and the best bets to consider in the final showdown.
Argentina v France Betting Odds and Markets
The most popular markets are the full-time result or the over/under. See the latest odds-on offer in the tables below.
| Match Result Betting | ||
|---|---|---|
| Argentina Win | Draw | France Win |
| 9/5 | 2/1 | 9/5 |
It is likely to be a close encounter between two sides who delivered a scintillating game of football when they met in the 2018 edition. Argentina, priced at 9/5 with bet365, will be out to get revenge against France, who are also priced at 9/5. A draw (21/10) could likely lead this game to extra time and penalties.
Argentina won five games in a row at the World Cup; Croatia (3 – 0), Australia (2 – 1), Poland (2 – 0), and Mexico (2 – 0), including a penalty shootout win against the Netherlands after a draw (2 – 2) in extra time. The only defeat came in their opening game against Saudi Arabia (2 – 1).
France has won all their knockout matches in regular time, thumping Morocco (2 – 0), England (2 – 1) and Poland (3 – 1) to book a place in the finals. They won two group games against Australia (4 – 1) and Denmark (2 – 1) and lost to Tunisia (1 – 0).
The bookies don’t expect many goals. The Over 2.5 market is priced at 11/8, and the Under is available at 4/7.
Player(s) to watch – Argentina
It will be Lionel Messi against France as one of the greatest of all time plays to end his international career with a World Cup trophy. The maestro tops the scoring charts with five goals and has opened the scoring in four games at this World Cup edition. What this short man does with the ball in his feet is genuinely unbelievable and has been the centre of everything Argentina produces going forward. We expect another display of great football and world-class performance to lead his side to victory.
Lionel Messi being named Player of the Match in 52% of the games he’s played in since 2009 is frankly absurd. pic.twitter.com/t5JNn24dPn
— These Football Times (@thesefootytimes) December 14, 2022
Player(s) to watch – France
Messi will be against his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe who is the joint top goal scorer with five goals. The twenty-three-year-old has already scored nine World Cup goals, two coming against Argentina in the 2018 edition, and is a potential contender to break Miroslav Klose’s record of sixteen. Mbappe is not as talented as Messi on the ball but has youthful energy and speed and is as a lethal finisher as him. Whoever, Messi or Mbappe, turns up with his best version will be his nation’s hero to lead them to victory.
Mbappé vs. Argentinapic.twitter.com/sDUrWiW0VY
— Andre Marín (@andremarinpuig) December 16, 2022
Match Prediction: Argentina 2 – 1 France
We predict a narrow win in favour of Argentina as they have a good shape defensively and with Messi in their side, who has been excellent in games. France has been great, but as we saw against Morocco, they seem to rely on the counterattack and can’t dominate the entirety of the games.
Argentina Vs France, World Cup Final, Lusail Iconic Stadium. Kick-off is at 7 pm (UK time).
Argentina Squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate) and Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Forwards: Paulo Dybala (AS Roma), Lionel Messi (Paris St Germain), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City).
France Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Rennes).
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Olympique de Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Olympique de Marseille).
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).
You can learn more about placing World Cup bets on our World Cup betting page. In addition, our World Cup fixtures page will bring you all the latest match previews and betting tips.
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