Following a thrilling path filled with shocking results and jaw-dropping upsets, we now have our World Cup finalists. With two traditional contenders reaching the finale, one would think that the path towards the ultimate stage was business as usual. But in reality, it was anything but, with the action leaving fans and observers alike puzzled with the outcome.
So admittedly, our predictions weren’t always accurate, but we’ll try to envision how the World Cup final between France and Argentina will play out on Sunday while offering our pick for a winner.
But first let’s run a comparison between the two foes on various aspects and figure out who has the edge in each department.
Experience
When it comes to experience, it isn’t always based on age or even the number of caps. Instead, the most impactful element is the sense of Déjà vu.
So in this regard, the French national team still possesses a host of stars who have played on this stage just four years ago in Moscow – including Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris – and more importantly, they emerged victorious.
On the other hand, Lionel Messi is the last remnant from the Albiceselte squad which contended the 2014 World Cup final in a losing effort against Germany.
Now surely Lionel Scaloni’s squad have recently ended their drought by lifting the Copa America trophy, but this one is a different beast.
Advantage: France
Determination
During the early stages of the tournament, we explained why France’s important absentees (the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Gole Kanté and Lucas Hernandez) could be a blessing in disguise, forcing Didier Deschamps into adding fresh blood to the equation.
So while France’s old guard will provide the team with vital experience, it’s the likes of Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez who will be hellbent on securing their first golden medal.
Nevertheless, in Argentina we have an entire nation starving for international glory, one they haven’t tasted since the days of a certain Diego Armando Maradona.
Moreover, this will likely be Messi’s last chance (at least while he’s still at the top of his game) to lift football’s most glamorous trophy and the one that had eluded him on four previous occasions.
So even though France aren’t planning to rest on their laurels, Messi and Argentina will clearly have the bigger motive.
Advantage: Argentina
Skills
This is obviously the most significant debate and at the same time the most difficult to settle. On the one hand, we have the reigning defending champions with a squad that features fabulous talent all over the pitch, including Mbappé who might just be the most explosive forward in the world.
On the other hand, the Argentines can still rely on their favorite son Leo Messi, who at the age of 35, remains arguably the most technically-gifted player in the sport.
Now surely this battle goes beyond the two Paris Saint-Germain teammates, and it includes top class players like Griezmann, Ousmane Dembelé and Theo Hernandez who have been producing stellar performances for Les Bleus, as well as Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul and a host of other Albiceleste stars.
But if we want to make a position-to-position comparison, then perhaps the Europeans have a slight edge in this delicate department.
Advantage: France
Depth
Following a grueling schedule which saw the two nations contesting six matches in the space of three weeks, depth will surely come into play in the World Cup final.
Even if the two managers end up making minimal changes to their starting lineups, those who will come off the bench will surely play a paramount role in deciding the outcome – perhaps we’ll even witness a new Mario Gotze.
During the course of the tournament, we’ve seen Scaloni tinkering with his starting lineups in the attempts of finding the right recipe, while Deschamps has maintained a clear starting lineup, only making compulsory changes.
While France definitely possess a solid first lineup and a number of super-subs, Argentina probably have more aces in the sleeve, as even marvelous stars like Paulo Dybala and Angel Correa have been scarcely deployed.
Advantage: Argentina
Manager
For the first match and a half, it felt that Scaloni had lost the plot. Luckily for the South Americans, he managed to find the right balance at the right timing (specifically in the second half against Mexico) and the Copa America champions haven’t looked back ever since.
Undoubtedly, the young manager has achieved great feats since taking over the Argentine national team, but it just feels that his counterpart inspires more confidence with his ever-so-cold and calculated approach.
Deschamps has already won the World Cup both as captain and manager, so we’re talking about a legendary figure who has already carved himself a special place among the elite of the elite.
Despite the great number of absentees within his ranks, the former Juventus player and manager has been able to adjust, and always seems to be ahead of his foes, even against Morocco, when his tactical changes culminated in France’s second goal that ultimately sealed the Africans’ fate.
Advantage: France
Prediction
So based on our analysis, it seems that France has the advantage in a few departments whereas Argentina has the edge elsewhere.
The Europeans are more experienced at the his stage, thanks to their great exploits four years ago, and can also rely on a confident and accomplished tactician in the dugout. Furthermore, they potentially possess better skills overall.
However, the South Americans will enter the pitch with their renowned Latin warrior-like spirit and their immense determination to lift the trophy and pour happiness upon their people.
As we mentioned above, Scaloni has a terrifying number of potential game-changers on his bench, especially in attack, and perhaps Lautaro Martinez will pick the right timing to shine following an underwhelming campaign. So if the match extends to extra-time, the prospect might suit Argentina.
However, if there is a team that possess a well-oiled defensive machine to repel the onslaughts of Messi and company, then it has to be France. All that it could take is a swift counter attack from Mbappé or a towering header for Giroud to take the trophy back to Paris.
Prediction: France to snatch the winner and defend a slim lead
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |