Lionel Messi has a real shot at capturing his first World Cup title by facing France in the deciding match at the famous Lusail Stadium.
Argentina faces France this Sunday in Lusail, aiming for World Cup glory. The Albiceleste booked their spot after a commanding victory over Croatia, powered by standout displays from Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez, who produced the goals that propelled Argentina past the runners-up. Messi, the Rosario native, is within reach of lifting a World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986, a moment fans have waited for since 2014, when Germany edged Argentina in extra time. The nation has now reached a sixth final in global tournaments and has won the title twice previously, in 1978 and 1986.
On the other side, Didier Deschamps’s France has earned their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Morocco, courtesy of goals from Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani. They are chasing a third World Cup medal after triumphs in 1998 and 2018 and hoping to match Brazil and Italy by lifting the trophy in two consecutive editions. France enters as the defending champions and seeks to add another chapter to their recent history of success.
Historically, the teams have met twelve times, with Argentina holding six victories to France’s three and three draws. World Cup meetings include a 1-0 Argentina win in 1930, a 2-1 Argentina triumph in the 1978 group stage, and a dramatic 4-3 defeat for Argentina in the 2018 Round of 16 under Jorge Sampaoli. Mbappé, Griezmann, and Pavard were among the standout performers in that 2018 encounter, and their presence adds to the intrigue of this edition’s final.
Key context and recent trends include Argentina’s path to the final as a sixth-time World Cup finalist, with ambitions to win the trophy for a third time. France, chasing back-to-back titles, would join a rare club if they secure the victory. The 2018 final rematch and the broader history of finals between South American and European teams add layers of significance to this showdown.
- Argentina has reached six World Cup finals, a mark matched only by Germany, and is aiming to lift the trophy for a third time after 1978 and 1986. A loss would equal their joint-highest World Cup defeat total in history, at four.
- France has appeared in the World Cup final four times since 1998, a rate unmatched by any other nation in this period. A victory would make them the third country to win back-to-back World Cups, following Italy and Brazil.
- This is the fourth World Cup final pairing of Argentina and France. Argentina has won two of the previous three meetings, while France won their only recent clash in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16, a 4-3 thriller.
- France owns a streak of 10 consecutive World Cup knockout wins since 2018. The only longer such run in knockout play belongs to Brazil, with nine in a row from 1958 to 1970.
- Defensive and attacking metrics highlight Argentina’s compact defense and efficient shot profile, while France shows high total expected goals and creative options in attack. These trends shape the tactical chess game expected in Lusail.
- Lionel Messi could become the player with the most World Cup appearances, and Mbappé could etch another record as a young scorer in final appearances. The match carries individual milestones alongside national pride.
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi has a storied World Cup history with goals and assists across multiple campaigns. A strong performance could push him toward historic personal milestones within a single edition of the tournament.
- France’s Griezmann and Mbappé have been pivotal in 2018 and 2022 alike, with Griezmann creating a high volume of chances and Mbappé threatening with pace and precision. Each player’s form could tip the balance in the final stages of the match.
- Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, is among the youngest coaches to lead a World Cup final in recent memory, underscoring a fresh, modern approach to the game. France’s Didier Deschamps aims to become one of the few managers to guide a team to back-to-back World Cup titles.
- Both teams arrive with a mix of experience and urgency, ready to claim a place in football history. The final promises a blend of durability, skill, and high-stakes drama that only the world’s premier tournament can provide.
WHEN IS?
HOW TO SEE ON TV
The match will be televised in Argentina and Colombia by DirectTV Sports. In Mexico options include air sports, TUDN, Azteca 7, and Channel of the Stars; in the United States the game is on Telemundo in Spanish and FOX in English. In Chile viewers can watch on DirectTV Sports, Channel 13, and Chilevision. In Spain the game is broadcast on 1.
HOW TO WATCH BY STREAMING
The Argentina vs France game will be streamed in many regions through DirectTV Go in South America, in Mexico via Blue to Go, and in Spain through Movistar+. In the United States, fans can access the match through the Fox Sports app and the Telemundo app.
DIRECTV Go provides streaming of movies, series, live sports, and more. DIRECTV Play aggregates content in one place. Access requires a DIRECTV account with a MyDIRECTV profile. Then download the DIRECTV Go app on a mobile device or use a computer to stream the action.
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