Preview: Argentina v France - team news, possible line-ups

Four weeks after the tournament started, we are now down to just two teams: Didier Deschamps' France and Lionel Scaloni's Argentina. The game is set to be a very even contest and calling a winner looks very difficult. France are the defending champions after beating Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final while Argentina are looking to go one better than eight years ago.
France were one of the pre-tournament favourites and they have not disappointed. Despite conceding an early goal in their opener against Australia, they ended up beating the Socceroos 4-1. Deschamps men then booked their place in the last 16 with a game to spare after a 2-1 victory over Denmark. That allowed them to rotate their squad for the last match against Tunisia and they lost that one 1-0.
In the last 16, they came up against Poland and won 3-1 as Giround and Mbappe scored. In the quarters, they edged past England 2-1 after Tchouameni and Giroud goals in a game which saw Kane fail to convert his second penalty. Their last match was against Morocco in the semis and Theo Hernandez put France ahead after five minutes. Morocco came with an attacking mindset and had chances to level, the best through an El-Yamiq overhead kick, but Kolo Muani then sealed the 2-0 win in the 79th minute. Their clinical finishing makes them a real threat.
As for Argentina, their first game ended in a shock 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia. They fought back terrifically from that setback though as they then beat Mexico 2-0 thanks to second half goals from Messi and Enzo Fernandez. They then required a draw from the match with Poland and ended up winning 0-2. Messi saw a first half penalty saved, but it proved to be academic as Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez netted in the second period.
In the last 16, Argentina defeated the Socceroos 2-1 as Messi and Julian Alvarez found the target. In the quarters, they were involved in a very ill tempered clash with the Netherlands which Argentina won on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Finally, the semi-final clash against Croatia was much more one sided than many expected. Messi scored a penalty and assisted twice for Julian Alvarez while the Man City forward also won the penalty which Messi scored. They are peaking at exactly the right time.

Looking at this game on paper, this match could easily go either way. France need very little to score goals and the likes of Mbappe, Tchouameni and Giroud can score goals practically out of nothing. However, their defence has been slightly concerning all tournament and Messi and Julian Alvarez will look to take full advantage of that. The Argentinians have hit form at just the right time, but cannot afford to give the French any sights of goal. With two quality attacks, whoever is more solid in defence is likely to win this one. Extra-time certainly cannot be ruled out.
France have once again lost players to the so called "camel virus", this time Kingsley Coman. Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate were also unwell, but are now back in training. Rabiot and Upamecano should return as they are now over the worst of it while Giroud is a doubt after picking up an injury to his knee in training. As for Argentina, Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna are available after serving suspensions and Nicolas Tagliafico could drop out. Alejandro Gomez is still recovering from an injury and is a doubt for the contest.
Argentina possible line-up: E Martinez (GK); Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
France possible line-up: Lloris (GK); Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram; Mbappe
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
While you sit back and enjoy the match, why not have a bet? Betway has odds of 2.62 for Argentina to beat France in 90 minutes while 'Les Bleus' are 2.80 for a 90 minute victory, proof that the bookies believe that Argentina will just edge this incredibly tight contest.