A matchup for the ages has officially arrived. France and Argentina will face off for the second consecutive time in a World Cup, but this time it will be for all the glory. Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player ever, will play in his second World Cup Final in eight years. This time, he’ll have a much stronger team alongside him. A team that lost their first match of the tournament to Saudi Arabia in a shocker, but haven’t lost a game since. A team that has rallied around their leader and is looking to bring La Albiceleste their first World Cup trophy since Diego Maradona did in 1986. France on the other hand, will be looking for their third winner’s medal in the last six tournaments. Let’s get into it.
If Argentina win…
It’s simply legacy defining for that man wearing the number 10. This would be especially sweet for Messi considering the fact that this French team was the team to knock Argentina out in the 2018 World Cup. Messi will still be considered the G.O.A.T regardless of the result, however I feel like if he took home this victory it would almost make it impossible to even debate. The team is the strongest it has been in years. Helping out Messi in the attack is newcomer Julián Àlvarez, who has scored four goals this tournament including a brace in the semi-final against Croatia. He also has a significantly better defense with Lisandro Martinez and Nahuel Molina manning the back (I refuse to give Otamendi or Romero any praise). The only question is… will they be able to handle Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé down the flanks. It is a task that has not been completed this whole tournament and I honestly don’t know if it will. If Argentina win, it will be Messi’s walk into the sunset. It will prevent the first back-to-back Champions since Brazil did it in ’58 and ’62. And it will make them the first South American country to win the tournament since Brazil did it in 2002. We’ll see if Messi can pull off some magic once again.
If France win…
Imagine being 23 years of age and winning two World Cups as arguably the team’s main contributor. It would have to submit Kylian Mbappe into a different level. This French team has not lost a single game starting the front three of Olivier Giroud, Mbappe and Dembélé. However, that is now in doubt after Giroud reportedly suffered a knock to the knee in training. It’s insane to see that this team has made it here considering all the injury troubles they have went through. Let me list the injuries that they have dealt with this campaign…
I might be missing some people in that list too. It’s been a wild ride for Didier Deschamps men. They started the tournament flying high against Australia and Denmark, but ended up losing to Tunisia 1-0 on match day three (they were playing a rotated side due to already clinching a spot in the knockouts). They then went on to beat Poland soundly, squeak by England and then outclass the surprising Atlas Lions of Morocco. A player that has been shining behind the media coverage of Kylian Mbappe has been Antoine Griezmann. The Atletí player has been thriving in the midfield for Didier Deschamps. He has been crucial in link up play will also being able to cut off passing lanes and make tackles to stop counter-attacks. He’s been the unsung hero for this squad in my opinion. If Les Blues were to win this game, they would be the first back-to-back Champions since Brazil in ’58 and ’62, Didier Deschamps would arguably be the best international manager ever and it would propel Kylian Mbappe into the all-time great conversation immediately.
Prediction: France 3, Argentina 2
These two teams have the talent to win this game. On one side stands arguably the greatest player ever, who has clearly shown he can still create magic at any given time. On the other side stands a young star that has the whole world at his feet, with the opportunity to become the best player in French history. It will be a battle for the ages. I just think that the French are the better side at every level and it will show on the pitch.
You know how we as a football community still talk about old matches how they are benchmarks in football history. The late Messi winner at the Bernabeu, Zidane showcase against Brazil in 2006, Liverpool’s Anfield comeback against Barcelona and the 7-1 Germany victory in Brazil. This will be one of those games. I can’t wait to see it all unfold. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
