Argentina vs France 2022 World Cup final: complete list of injuries and suspended players
Both Argentina and France will be looking for their third star as they go head-to-head on Sunday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
French fans would be happy with a similar result from the last time ‘Les Bleus’ faced the ‘Albiceleste’ at a World Cup with Deschamps’ men running out 4-3 winners in the Round of 16 clash as part of the Russia 2018 World Cup. France went on to secure their second triumph beating Croatia in the Moscow final.
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The only other meetings between both sides at a World Cup came in the 1978 tournament with Argentina running ot 2-1 winners and the previous meeting coming back in 1930 in the first ever World Cup when the South Americans secured a 1-0 victory.
Both finalists have been far from their best at times in Qatar, with France losing to Tunisia and battling past England in the quarter-finals, while Argentina fell to a shock group-stage defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Injuries and suspensions
Both teams are free from suspensions and the only major injury concern for the South American side is that facing Angel Di Maria but latest reports suggest that the Juventus winger will be fit for the showpiece after his injury problems. Lionel Scaloni can also welcome back both Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel with the two Sevilla players now available following their respective suspensions.
Leo Messi at times seemed to be struggling with a hamstring issue during the semi-final against Croatia and as a precautionary measure today, the PSG striker trained alone but is widely expected to be part of the Argentina XI at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
For defending champions France, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano sat out the win over Morocco due to illness but are both expected back in time for Sunday’s final.
Aurélien Tchouaméni and Theo Hernández both missed France’s training session on Friday 16 December due to injury and are now doubtful for the final against Argentina on Sunday. The two now join a long list of French players who are not confirmed to be able to play in the showpiece event at the Lusail Stadium.
There has been some speculation that the now fit Karim Benzema may be heading to the Gulf to join up with the France squad but Didier Deschamps’s reaction to the question after the Morocco game suggested that he would not be counting on the Real Madrid striker who still remains part of his initial 26-man-France squad.