Attempting to become the first side to retain a FIFA World Cup since the iconic Brazil side of the 1950s, and 1960s, Didier Deschamps Bleus managed to turn around a two-nil deficit to level things at 3-3 after extra time, however, spot kick woes for the holders saw a Lionel Messi-led Argentina secure their third ever World Cup victory – the first tournament held since the passing of talismanic forward, Diego Maradona.

Blasting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot in the opening half an hour, Paris Saint Germain forward, Messi converted past Hugo Lloris – before Juventus wide man, Angel Di Maria found the net – shocking the holders in a quickfire double salvo.

With just 10 minutes remaining in normal time, however, France were handed a lifeline of their own in the form of a spot kick, with Kylian Mbappe converting himself.

Just moments later, Messi was dispossessed by Kingsley Coman, with fed Adrien Rabiot – with Mbappe linking up with Eintracht Frankfurt frontman, Randal Kolo Muani – before firing a right foot volley into Emiliano Martinez’s left corner, levelling the final.

Forced to extra time, Argentina once more took the lead – with Messi converting a spilt shot from Lloris, despite an attempted goal-line clearance from Barcelona defender, Jules Kounde.

With mere minutes remaining, Sevilla full back, Gonzalo Montiel handled a shot from Mbappe inside the area – with France awarded another lifeline. Converting from the spot to become just the second player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, Mbappe forced respective spot kicks.

With both Mbappe, and Messi converting before misses from both Coman and Real Madrid youngster, Aurelian Tchouameni, a late effort from Kolo Muani proved fruitless, with Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and the above-mentioned, Montiel scoring the deciding penalty, sending the World Cup back to South America.

In four years’ time, however, the tournament will return to North America for the first time since USA ‘94 – with both Mexico and neighboring, Canada set to also host fixtures. And France still remains odds on favorites at 4/1 to lift the World Cup. 

Following an impressive progression through a tough group containing England, Wales, and Iran, the USMNT – who have landed a new MLS partnership, are slated to turn in another highlight run – this time on home soil, however, remain distance outsiders to challenge with the elite.

Despite their victory over France in Sunday’s final, the incumbent best, Argentina find themselves as distinct outsiders to retain the World Cup and land gold for the fourth time, with markets offering the Albicelestes currently sit behind a group containing Brazil, England, Spain, and Germany at 9/1 to triumph Stateside in four years time. 

Interestingly, most recent European Championships winners, Italy – who failed to qualify for Qatar, sit as high as 22/1 to repeat 2006 exploits and win the World Cup. Famously, on their last major tournament in North America at the 1994 incarnation of the World Cup, a skyward spot kick from former Juventus forward, Roberto Baggio at the Rose Bowl handed the trophy to Brazil in the final.

Argentina, led by former Barcelona star and Partis Saint Germain talisman, Lionel Messi – fired their way through to the final earlier this week with a one-sided 3-0 win over former finalists, Croatia – with Messi netting first ahead of a pair of strikes from Manchester City forward, Julian Alvarez. 

Despite dropping a surprising and shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, Argentina managed to progress through to the final round with wins over Australia, and Netherlands ahead of their semi final win over Croatia.

Matching with Morocco – the first African side to progress through to the semi final, France managed to land a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the former, with goals from left back, Theo Hernandez, and substitute, Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Randal Kolo Muani firing France to their second consecutive final after they clinched the most-recent incarnation with a win over Croatia. 

Ahead of Sunday’s final, continued form from both sides throughout the knockout stage leaves the two on almost mirror playing fields, with Argentina currently sitting as marginal -110 favorites against France who currently sit as +105 underdogs to retain the World Cup. Betting on this weekend’s World Cup final is available over at Rushbet. 

As far as the third place play-off which features other semi-finalists, Croatia, and Morocco, the two will feature tomorrow – vying for a bronze medal in Qatar. 

In Sunday’s final, both Argentine talisman, Messi, and French superstar, Kylian Mbappe will also battle it out as the leaders of this tournament’s golden boot – with both sitting on five goals each throughout both the group stages and the knockout phase.

Behind both Messi and his Paris Saint Germain teammate, Mbappe – come the above-mentioned, Alvarez, and A.C. Milan striker, Olivier Giroud, who have both found the net four times apiece in Qatar. 

Should Messi nor Mbappe find separation over the course of Sunday’s final in Qatar, with both sitting on five goals, the Argentine will then scoop the Golden Boot if Mbappe is until to add to his assist tally of two – with Messi sitting on three goals for his Argentina teammates.

An extra caveat of this tournament also comes in the form of an expected final bow at the international stage from Argentine captain, Messi, who confirmed that win or lose against France, the final will mark his final World Cup game for the side. 

With France and Didier Deschamps looking to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since the Brazilian national side back in 1958, and 1962, the Blus will also look to land their third Coupe du Monde since the beginning of the century, after success against Brazil in 2002, and their most recent 2018 success opposite Croatia.

Whilst Brazil are the current betting favorites to win the competition, France and England are jointly tied in second place. Admittedly, France did have a somewhat lackluster Euro campaign in 2020, but they undeniably have a team capable of bouncing back this World Cup.

France’s 2022 World Cup XI

It seems likely that France will play a 4-2-3-1 formation at the 2022 World Cup. A closer inspection of their squad reveals why there is so much expectation for the team to achieve greatness.

Goalkeeper

PSG’s Alphonse Areola (currently on loan at West Ham) will hope to take the starting place in goal, although Hugo Lloris will no doubt have something to say about that. Both men are extremely talented, with Lloris bringing bags of experience, whilst Areola has been on great form this past season.

Defenders

France may well have the strongest backline in the tournament, both in terms of talent and depth. Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard will surely start on the right, with Lucas Hernandez the seemingly logical pick for the left. In the two center back position, expect to see Raphael Varane starting, alongside either Dayot Upamecano, Presnel Kimpembe, or Samuel Umtiti playing alongside him.

Kurt Zouma, Theo Hernandez, Jules Kounde, Lucas Digne, and Clement Lenglet offer further depth for the team.

Considering the depth of France’s team, you may be tempted to put some money on them to win the tournament. If so, then Jetx has you covered for the best online betting odds available.

Midfielders

Playing in the CDM/CM position will likely be Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante. Say what you will about Pogba’s tenure with United, but the 29-year-old always shows up for his country. Kante is a stellar midfielder, whose work rate is second to none.

Ahead of them, in the attacking midfielder roles, could be any three of Kingsley Coman, Nabil Fekir, Moussa Dembele, Antonie Griezman, or Wissam Ben Yedder.

Strikers

France have the choice between two of the best strikers in the world right now. Kylian Mbappe or Karim Benzema. Both men are exceptional talents, Benzema filling the role of experienced veteran, whilst Mbappe is the rising star.

Both men will certainly feature over the course of the campaign, and Didier Deschamps may even change formation to fit the two elite strikers side by side.

Do you think France have what it takes to win the World Cup again?