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Dan Bilicki’s pick
Argentina 3, France 2
At the beginning of the tournament, this was likely one of the dream finals that many people picked. You have defending champions France, led by superstar Kylian Mbappe, going up against Argentina, with Lionel Messi looking to solidify his claim to the title of GOAT. It is not going to be easy for either side. Both teams are capable of turning it on in big moments and the two PSG stars have been incredible at creating offence, both for themselves and their teammates. We should see a few goals scored in this one, but wouldn’t be surprised if it ultimately comes down to penalties. Eiher way, Messi will get the last laugh and lift the trophy.
Paul Chapman’s pick
France 2, Argentina 1
There are so many angles to this final, not the least of which is a final between two soccer superpowers with a pair of the game’s giants leading the way. Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappe is such an easy way to look at this match, however, the themes and the facts back up the matchup.
Firstly, their ages, Messi the 35-year-old icon who is getting his last shot at being a World Cup champion, a title he craves. Mbappe is the Next One, he is already a World Cup champion but doesn’t turn 24 until next Tuesday. They are teammates at Paris St. Germain, the superclub owned by the Qatari royal family. And both are level for the Golden Boot with five goals apiece.
While so much focus is on Messi, this tournament has been a coming out for Julian Alvarez. He’s the future of the Argentina squad and sits just one goal back of Mbappe and Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. He’s Manchester City property, but hasn’t really featured in the EPL so far, taking a seat behind phenom Erling Haaland. But as the breakout star in this tournament, it’s reasonable to expect that in four years everyone will know his name.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez has also announced his stardom in Qatar, showing he is a ball-winner who can drive play forward and feed the strikers.
The back line has been solid, led by LIsandro Martinez and Christian Romero has brought an edge of pure nastiness to their defence.
So if Argentina is so good, why am I picking France? Depth and experience.
Yes, Mbappe’s presence, in particular his speed, is terrifying. But if there’s a drawback of the Argentine back line, it is its height. And playing off Mbappe is Olivier Giroud, which gives them one of the world’s most potent strikers in the air having a significant physical advantage.
At the start of the tournament, there were some who discounted France’s chances to repeat because of injuries to Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema. But Giroud, Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have filled in with aplomb. Tchouameni has been France’s breakout star, controlling the midfield, spraying balls forward into space for Mbappe and, as England learned to devastating effect, able to crack a shot from distance.
Additionally, Antoine Griezmann has been magnificent playing in a deeper-lying midfield role, which Mbappe’s speed has enabled by stretching the defence and giving Griezmann acres of space to exploit.
If the French have a weakness, it may be in goal, where Hugo Lloris has at times looked vulnerable, but the French centrebacks are imposing physically and are all good on the ball. Ibrahim Konate started the tournament before giving way to Dayot Upamecano, but illness brought Konate back into the starting XI for the semifinal and he was a contender for their player of the game.
Obviously, we are all hoping for a great final, but the bottom line is France knows how to win this match and have fewer weak spots than Argentina.
OK, having read all that, now go and put all your money on Argentina to win on penalties. Thank you for reading our coverage throughout this whole tournament and let’s hope for a grand finish.
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