Argentina, France seek third WC trophy

DOHA, DEC 17

The Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 final showdown sees both Argentina and France bidding to lift football's most coveted trophy for the third time and therefore become the competition's fourth most successful nation – after Brazil (five wins), Germany and Italy (both four).

This is Argentina's sixth appearance in the Fifa World Cup final. Winners in 1978 and 1986, they were runners-up in 1930, 1990 and 2014. France are appearing in their fourth final, victories in 1998 and 2018 sandwiching a defeat (on penalties) in 2006. Argentina's record in finals against European opponents is two wins followed by two defeats, while France's only previous final against a South American side brought a 3-0 victory against Brazil in 1998.

Argentina have defeated three European teams in Qatar – Poland, the Netherlands (on penalties) and Croatia – whereas this is France's first game at the tournament against South American opposition.

Les Bleus are on a ten-match unbeaten run against South American teams at the Fifa World Cup. They defeated three of them en route to their 2018 success, including Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 in Kazan, where they came from behind to win with two Kylian Mbappe goals. While that was Argentina's most recent Fifa World Cup defeat against a European side, France's last defeat to South American opposition at the finals was against Argentina back in 1978, when they were beaten 2-1 in the group stage by the eventual champions in Buenos Aires.

The first of the nations' three World Cup meetings came in the inaugural 1930 tournament, and was Argentina's first-ever finals encounter, which they won 1-0. In all matches between the teams, including friendlies, Argentina have won six and France three, with three drawn. The teams have not met since that 2018 encounter in Russia.

There have been ten previous Fifa World Cup finals between South American and European teams. While the head-to-head record stands at 7-3 in South America's favour, the last six such finals have produced alternate winners, with Europe prevailing in the most recent, when Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in 2014.

KEY FACTS

The Fifa World Cup final has been contested between a South American team and a European team on ten previous occasions, with South America triumphing seven times. However, the three successes for Europe have come in the last five meetings.

Argentina are aiming to become the first South American nation to win the Fifa World Cup since Brazil in 2002.

Argentina are facing European opposition in the Fifa World Cup final for the fifth time, having previously encountered the Netherlands (1978) and West Germany/Germany (1986, 1990 and 2014).

Argentina lost 1-0 in their last two appearances in the World Cup final (1990 and 2014).

Argentina have scored 149 goals in World Cup matches and could become the third nation after Brazil (237) and Germany (232) to reach the landmark of 150.

Argentina have lost only one of their last 42 international matches (W29, D12).

Argentina have scored the first goal in each of their six matches at Qatar 2022.

Lionel Messi will overtake Lothar Matthaus (25) as the record appearance-maker in Fifa World Cup history if he plays in the final.

France have now reached the final in four of the last seven editions of the Fifa World Cup.

France have been successful in two of their previous three appearances in the Fifa World Cup final and only lost out on penalties against Italy in 2006.

France are unbeaten in their last ten Fifa World Cup matches against South American nations (W6 D4). Their last defeat was against Argentina in 1978 (2-1).

France have remarkably kept eight clean sheets in their last nine Fifa World Cup matches against South American nations.

France are the first Fifa World Cup holders to reach the final since Brazil in 1998.

France have become the fifth team to win the Fifa World Cup and return to the final in the following edition after Italy (1934-1938), Brazil (1958-1962), Argentina (1986-1990) and Brazil (1994-1998).

France could become the third team to win two successive World Cups, following Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962).

France have been successful in 16 of their last 18 World Cup knockout ties (including one penalty shootout win).

France's Hugo Lloris is set to become the first goalkeeper to reach 20 Fifa World Cup appearances.

Didier Deschamps is aiming to become only the second coach to win two Fifa World Cup titles, following Vittorio Pozzo who was successful with Italy in 1934 and 1938.