Lionel Messi will line up for Argentina and Kylian Mbappé shall be on the alternative aspect for France on Sunday within the closing.
Messi has been there earlier than, however misplaced within the 2014 closing to Germany. Mbappé gained the 2018 title after scoring a objective in opposition to Croatia.
However, neither will have the ability to win the gold trophy solely on their very own at Lusail Stadium.
Here is a take a look at among the key gamers on each groups, and their coaches:
LIONEL MESSI
The 35-year-old Messi is the center and soul of the Argentina workforce, the match’s co-leading scorer with 5 objectives and tied for essentially the most assists with three. Look for the Paris Saint-Germain ahead to burst into inventive life when he sees an opportunity to make one thing occur. A World Cup title would lastly full Messi’s elevation alongside Diego Maradona to icon standing.
JULIAN ALVAREZ
Alvarez made it off the bench to exchange Lautaro Martinez because the World Cup progressed and scored 4 objectives in 4 begins with Argentina. The 22-year-old Machester City participant is a strong runner who created a over Croatia within the semifinals.
EMILIANO MARTINEZ
Martinez is an imposing 6-foot-4 goalkeeper with a persona to match his stature. “Dibu” can be favored if the ultimate goes to a penalty shootout. The 30-year-old Aston Villa keeper made key saves in Argentina’s shootout win over the Netherlands within the quarterfinals and in final yr’s Copa America semifinals.
NAHUEL MOLINA
Molina is an brisk fullback with the toughness anticipated of any Argentina defender. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid defender additionally has attacking instincts. He acquired the no-look go of the match from Messi to attain in opposition to the Netherlands.
ENZO FERNANDEZ
Fernandez began the match as an alternative however was within the workforce to remain after scoring along with his quick toes and a curling shot in Argentina’s victory over Mexico. The 21-year-old Benfica participant anchors the middle of midfield and shall be attempting to cease Antoine Griezmann’s ahead forays.
LIONEL SCALONI
Scaloni was an assistant coach on the 2018 World Cup — when – and is now an unheralded success within the high job. He introduced a 35-game unbeaten run to Qatar that included ending an extended anticipate a Copa America final yr. The 44-year-old Scaloni has succeeded in surrounding Messi with a midfield that lets him flourish.
KYLIAN MBAPPE
Mbappé is France’s quickest, most dynamic scoring risk on the sector. The 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain ahead is tied with Messi with a World Cup-leading 5 objectives. A standout recreation in opposition to Argentina will place him among the many all-time greats.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
The 31-year-old Griezmann has been a revelation for France at this yr’s World Cup. Once a goal-scoring winger, the Atletico Madrid ahead has added relentless defensive safety to his inventive craft. A duel might develop with Messi between the traces of Argentina’s assault.
HUGO LLORIS
The 35-year-old Tottenham goalkeeper is poised to turn into the first-ever captain of two World Cup-winning groups. A quiet-spoken chief by instance, he now holds France’s all-time look file.
RAPHAEL VARANE
At his third World Cup, the 29-year-old Varane is a fixture within the middle of a France protection that retains altering due to damage and sickness. The four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid is again to close his elegant greatest after an damage scare in October.
AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI
Tchouaméni arrived on the world stage forward of schedule within the midfield position Paul Pogba had for France 4 years in the past. He matched Pogba’s capturing energy along with his objective in opposition to England. Learning at Real Madrid this season, after ought to put together the 22-year-old midfielder for going through Argentina.
DIDIER DESCHAMPS
In his eleventh yr as France coach, Deschamps can turn into solely the second man to steer two World Cup-winning groups and the primary since 1938. The 54-year-old Deschamps has built-in inexperienced gamers to exchange injured veterans with out dropping any of his workforce’s typical calm assurance.
