An early goal from Theo Hernandez and a first-touch strike off the bench from substitute Randal Muani ended Morocco’s World Cup dream, with France becoming the first side to reach successive World Cup finals since Brazil in 2002. TransfersChelsea fail with shock Antonio loan bid amid injury crisis - Paper Round16/01/2023 AT 06:10Messi was on target in Argentina’s 3-0 win against Croatia to net his fifth goal of the tournament, before an Alvarez double helped Argentina reach their first final since 2014.
Mbappe will have his sights set on firing France to back-to-back World Cup titles, something that hasn’t been achieved since Brazil managed to do so in 1962, while Messi will be looking to add the one trophy missing from his extraordinary career, and finally avenge his Rio de Janeiro heartbreak. Much of the pre-final narrative has been about Messi finally ending the greatest-of-all-time debate should he win the final. However, Ossie Ardiles has said that he believes that Diego Maradona will always be "a touch" better than Messi, given the less strict refereeing and poorer pitches in Maradona’s time.
That is a sentiment Eurosport's Pete Sharland disagrees with, stating that win or lose the final, Messi is the greatest of all time. Can Messi captain his country to World Cup glory for the first time since the Maradona-inspired campaign of 1986, or will France claim a historic second successive title? Messi gave his side the lead to move clear on six and Angel DI Maria added a second in a one-sided first half of the World Cup final.
When is Argentina v France? The World Cup final between Argentina and France kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday, December 18. Follow live minute-by-minute updates of the match on Eurosport. LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates the team's 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Clive BruImage credit: EurosportWhich TV channel is Argentina v France on? The final between Argentina and France will be shown live on BBC One in the UK with coverage beginning at 14:00 GMT. How to follow Argentina v FranceWe will be hosting live text coverage of the match on eurosport.