Final France – Argentina at the Lusail stadium 3 p.m. UT, December 18, 2022
►Argentine: E. Martinez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico – De Paul, Di Maria, Fernandez, Mac Allister – Messi (cap), J. Alvarez
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (ARG)
►France: Lloris (cap) – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé – Giroud
Coach: Didier Deschamps (FRA)
Arbitrator: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Both affected by a virus in recent days, Varane and Upamecano figure well in the starting “eleven” of the defending champions. Argentina start Di Maria, recently troubled by muscle problems to the point of having been a substitute for most of the knockout stage.
France aligns the same starting lineup as in the quarterfinals
For this unprecedented final at the Lusail stadium, the French holders are the same as against England in the quarterfinals (2-1), with Ousmane Dembélé on the right and Antoine Griezmann in a remote playmaker role.
In the middle, Adrien Rabiot finds his place alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, after missing the semi-final against Morocco (2-0) due to a virus.
The central Varane-Upamecano hinge is framed by Theo Hernandez on the left and Jules Koundé on the right. Captain Hugo Lloris celebrates his 145th selection, the 20th in the World Cup, a record for a goalkeeper.
A four-defender scheme for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina opted for a four-defender scheme, serving “Leo” Messi, associated with Julian Alvarez in attack.
Di Maria, diminished by muscular problems, was forfeited against Australia in the round of 16 (2-1) and he only played ten minutes at the end of extra time in the quarters against the Netherlands (2-2 ap , 4-3 pens), before remaining on the bench against Croatia in the semi-finals (3-0).
It is the 129th selection of the Argentine attacking midfielder, scorer in the final of the Copa América last year during the coronation of Argentina against Brazil (1-0).
The other little surprise on the Argentinian side is the tenure of Lyon side Nicolas Tagliafico in place of Marcos Acuna, tipped, on the left flank of a four-man defense also including Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero, as well as Nahuel Molina.
The two selections are aiming for their third world title and France, a second coronation in a row.