Sunday's FIFA World Cup Final is (15:00 GMT) Argentina v France
Despite Antoine Griezmann's all-action efforts, this showpiece will invariably be billed as the showdown between the Paris Saint-Germain pair of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Qatar Sports Investment - who just so happen to own PSG - hedged their bets with a third celebrity forward, but the feted stars of the past and future (and present) pulled through following the quarter-final exit of Neymar's Brazil.
Messi and Mbappe both sit on five goals as they bid to also win the Golden Boot, though it's the Argentine who is having the slightly better tournament statistically as he's bagged three assists compared to the Frenchman's two.
This may be the match that decides the best team in the world, but this is not a meeting between two flawless outfits. In fact, it's only the second time in men's World Cup history (the first since 1978) that both finalists arrive in the showpiece having already lost a match in the tournament.
Argentina saved their best display of the competition for a convincing semi-final victory over Croatia but they remain wildly reliant upon one (admittedly brilliant) 35-year-old. France kept their first clean sheet in Qatar against Morocco but - as Hugo Lloris admitted - "suffered so much".
There's enough talent in both sides for this game - which is devoid of a clear favourite - to be decided by a moment of magic. But there has been plenty of evidence this winter to suggest a mistake may prove even more likely and pivotal.
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni will be able to welcome back Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel after the fullback pair sat out the semi-final through suspension - Acuna will be vying with Nicolas Tagliafico for a starting berth.
Alejandro Gomez is a doubt with an ankle problem and Angel Di Maria has been struggling with muscular issues. The Juventus forward didn't feature at all in the semi-final though could make his first start since the group stages in Sunday's final.
France team news
Adrien Rabiot watched France's semi-final against Morocco from the team hotel as one of the multiple players suffering from what Didier Deschamps described as "flu-like symptoms".
Dayot Upamecano made the trip to the stadium but didn't get off the bench while he nursed the bug. However, Deschamps is confident that both players would be available for the final. Kingsley Coman is the third player known to be affected and he's a doubt.
Despite Antoine Griezmann's all-action efforts, this showpiece will invariably be billed as the showdown between the Paris Saint-Germain pair of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Qatar Sports Investment - who just so happen to own PSG - hedged their bets with a third celebrity forward, but the feted stars of the past and future (and present) pulled through following the quarter-final exit of Neymar's Brazil.
Messi and Mbappe both sit on five goals as they bid to also win the Golden Boot, though it's the Argentine who is having the slightly better tournament statistically as he's bagged three assists compared to the Frenchman's two.
This may be the match that decides the best team in the world, but this is not a meeting between two flawless outfits. In fact, it's only the second time in men's World Cup history (the first since 1978) that both finalists arrive in the showpiece having already lost a match in the tournament.
Argentina saved their best display of the competition for a convincing semi-final victory over Croatia but they remain wildly reliant upon one (admittedly brilliant) 35-year-old. France kept their first clean sheet in Qatar against Morocco but - as Hugo Lloris admitted - "suffered so much".
There's enough talent in both sides for this game - which is devoid of a clear favourite - to be decided by a moment of magic. But there has been plenty of evidence this winter to suggest a mistake may prove even more likely and pivotal.
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni will be able to welcome back Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel after the fullback pair sat out the semi-final through suspension - Acuna will be vying with Nicolas Tagliafico for a starting berth.
Alejandro Gomez is a doubt with an ankle problem and Angel Di Maria has been struggling with muscular issues. The Juventus forward didn't feature at all in the semi-final though could make his first start since the group stages in Sunday's final.
France team news
Adrien Rabiot watched France's semi-final against Morocco from the team hotel as one of the multiple players suffering from what Didier Deschamps described as "flu-like symptoms".
Dayot Upamecano made the trip to the stadium but didn't get off the bench while he nursed the bug. However, Deschamps is confident that both players would be available for the final. Kingsley Coman is the third player known to be affected and he's a doubt.
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