Argentina and France: Routes to the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, The key battles
FIFA World Cup Final 2022 Live Score Argentina vs France: Argentina came out with all their guns and dominated most of the first half. They got a goal to show for it in the 23rd minute when captain Lionel Messi expertly converted a penalty kick to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. Angel Di Maria then made it two as France struggled to get into the game in the first half. France struggled to keep Argentina down throughout the half and Messi’s side led 2-0 at half-time.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Finals: The Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar will see the biggest football match in four years on Sunday (December 18th) when France takes on Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final. Kylian Mbappe’s France will play in the FIFA World Cup final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Last time (2018) it was Luka Modric’s Croatia and this is seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi along with his teammates standing in the way of Les Blues.
Varane and Konate were two of five French players who did not report for training two days before the World Cup final against Argentina. Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot and Kingsley Coman were ill earlier in the week and did not train on Friday.
France coach Didier Deschamps claimed the team was taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus after Upamecano and Rabiot missed the semi-final win over Morocco.
“The temperatures have dropped a bit in Doha, you have air conditioning that is always on. We have had several cases of flu-like symptoms. We’re trying to be careful that it doesn’t spread, and the players have put in a lot of effort on the field and obviously their immune systems are suffering,” the coach said, according to ESPN.
Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano have now recovered and Deschamps said they could face Argentina on Sunday.
“Dayot will be fit. He had been unwell for three days since Saturday… he had a fever and it was affecting his strength. Due to the tough matchup we had, I decided not to play him and play Konate instead because he has shown that he is good enough to play at this level. Rabiot was ill, this afternoon he was better, but not well enough, so he stayed at the hotel. We have four days to rest, so he should be better and available for Sunday,” said Didier.
It is France’s latest blow after star players Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez and Christopher Nkunku were ruled out of the tournament through injury.
During Friday’s press conference, Ousmane Dembele said the team was not concerned about the disease spreading to other players.
“We are not afraid of the virus. Dayot and Adrien felt a little sick to their stomachs; I made them ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the finals. Dayot has improved and I think everyone will be ready. We have made arrangements. The first day Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and the next day he was back with everyone,” said Dembele.
Les Bleus are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup crown.
