That’s it. We’re down to the end of the most significant event in the football world – the FIFA World Cup Finals 2022 in Qatar, with only one match remaining on Sunday, December 18. This series presents the latest statistics, forecasts and analysis of all the tournament’s games and this time, we take on board the FIFA World Cup 2022 Great Final battle for the Golden Trophy, Matchday 23 of the championship: France vs Argentina. 

 

Let’s explore and analyse the forthcoming encounter and help you choose the best World Cup betting strategies to give you a good run for your money. Who is value to win? Let’s find out. Here is what you need to know.

 

Matchday 23, FIFA World Cup Finals 2022 – Great Final match: France vs Argentina

Sunday, 18.12.2022, 3 pm (GMT) – Lusail Stadium

  VS  

 

France to win (90’)           Draw (90’)     Argentina to win (90’)

7/4 (prob. 36%)              19/10 (prob. 34 %)             7/4 (prob. 36%)

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the game starts.

 

After four weeks of an intense, action-packed event, where the best 32 teams in the football world battled it out in a 64-game tournament, the destiny of the next World Cup title comes down to this. The defending Champions  France (4th in the FIFA World Ranking) meet Argentina (3rd in the FIFA World Ranking) at  Lusali Stadium on Sunday, December 18. The final game of the World Cup 2022 is set to be its most thrilling. So who will lift the trophy?

 

This match has already been advertised as a straight shootout between seven-time Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi (PSG) and the 23-year-old rising star Kylian Mbappe (PSG). The French forward might become the second-youngest player to win two World Cups since Pele in 1958 in Sweden and 1962 in Chile.

 

But let’s be honest, there’s far more to this World Cup Great Final than just two players, no matter how great they are.

 

Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten run. Nevertheless, that massively impressive streak ended suddenly when Saudi Arabia sent shockwaves worldwide by condemning them to a 2-1 defeat in Group stage rounds.

 

‘La Albiceleste’ have since put that disappointing result behind them to reach the World Cup’s Great Final. They won their Group C, eliminated Australia (2:1) in the Round of 16, the Netherlands (2:2 – 4:3 on penalties) in the Quarters and most recently defeated Croatia (3:0) in the Semis, and now face France in Sunday’s showpiece. Will this finally be Lionel Messi’s year?

 

The Argentine captain, Messi, is currently leading the World Cup Golden Boot race with 5 goals (level with Kylian Mbappe). He has recently become his nation’s record goal-scorer at the tournament. The undisputable football genius has now bagged 11 World Cup goals, one ahead of previous record-holder Gabriel Batistuta, and will be looking to add more to that on Sunday in Lusali.

 

There is another Argentinian player to pay attention to in the World Cup 2022 Great Final. Julian Alvarez’s (Manchester City) recent impressive performances should raise an alert within the French squad. The 22-year-old has scored 7 goals in his 18 caps for the national side, one of which came against Poland in a Group C encounter, as he opened his World Cup account. He followed up against Australia in the Round of 16 and notched a brace against Croatia in the Semis. With 4 goals in his pocket, he’s not that far behind Messi and Mbappe and is still in the competition for the Golden Boot prize.

 

After winning Group D and beating Poland (3:1) in the Round of 16, France went on to eliminate England (2:1) in the Quarters. Morocco were a tough test in the Semis, but France’s tactical awareness, technical quality and clinical finishing won out and set up the final against Argentina.

 

France are blessed with several top goal-scorers at the World Cup in Qatar, including Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), who recently became the nation’s all-time top scorer after netting against Poland. But it’s been all about Kylian Mbappe this winter, who upstaged the Milan forward on that night with a world-class brace. You just simply can’t steal his spotlight.

 

The PSG forward now has 33 goals under his belt in 64 games for ‘Les Bleus’ and is already breaking into the top 10, just 20 goals behind Giroud. Mbappe was also a key player in helping France to win the World Cup in 2018. At just 19, he scored four goals, including one in the final, becoming the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958.

 

Regarding all the attacking talent that France posses, manager Didier Deschamps has the tricky task of trying to fit all his players into one starting eleven.

 

Rather than leave someone out, Deschamps opted to accommodate Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) in a slightly deeper central midfield role, and Griezmann’s been just outstanding in this position. While Mbappe or Messi will likely win the Golden Ball, Griezmann has been one of the best players at this World Cup with an excellent all-round display. As well as creating more chances than any other player, he has also averaged 6.4 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, 2.2 tackles and 8.9 contested duels.

 

For either side to lift the famous World Cup Golden Trophy in Qatar, they will need all of the players to be at their absolute best on the night and should not rely on Messi or Mbappe only.

 

We are sure that the World Cup 2022 Great Final match France vs Morocco will be highly exciting and full of surprising twists and turns for punters. So, let’s have a look at the latest markets and the World Cup Matchday 23 betting odds ahead of the Great Final game between France and Argentina.

 

France vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2022 betting odds

 

If you still need to figure out how even this World Cup final is expected to be, have a look at these odds.

 

As we can see, the bookmakers expect a very close match between France and Argentina. They are struggling to split the two finalists, which could favour a draw at 90 minutes. Both teams are currently around the 7/4 mark to win the game and the trophy in regular time (36% prob).

 

They don’t expect to see many goals in this game either since the average odds on under 2.5 total goals are 11/18 (62% prob). On the other hand, the odds on over 2.5 total goals are 6/4 (40% prob).

 

The encounter is packed with superstars and contenders for the Golden Boot award, including Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, both with 5 goals, plus Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez with 4 goals each.

 

The Argentinian captain is also heavily favoured in the Golden Ball award World Cup betting. At the same time, goalkeepers Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspurs) and Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) are award-leading candidates to win the Golden Glove.

 

France – latest FIFA World Cup 2022 betting odds:

 

1). France to win the World Cup: 7/4 (prob. 36%)

2). Hugo Lloris to win World Cup Golden Glove: 4/1 (prob. 20%)

3). Kylian Mbappe to win World Cup Golden Ball: 9/2 (prob. 18%)

4). Kylian Mbappe to win World Cup Golden Boot: 7/4 (prob. 36%)

5). Kylian Mbappe to score first: 9/2 (prob. 18%)

6). Kylian Mbappe to score anytime: 2/1 (prob. 33%)

7). Olivier Giroud to win World Cup Golden Ball: 66/1 (prob. 1,5%)

8). Olivier Giroud to win World Cup Golden Boot: 10/1 (prob. 9%)

9). Olivier Giroud to score first: 11/2 (prob. 15%)

10). Olivier Giroud to score anytime: 3/1 (prob. 25%)

11). Antoine Griezmann to win World Cup Golden Ball: 8/1 (prob. 11%)

 

• Kylian Mbappe has scored 5 goals so far
• Olivier Giroud  has scored 4 goals so far

 

Argentina – latest FIFA World Cup 2022 betting odds:

 

1). Argentina to win the World Cup: 7/4 (prob. 36%)

2). Emiliano Martinez to win World Cup Golden Glove: 7/4 (prob. 36%)

3). Lionel Messi to win World Cup Golden Ball: 1/5 (prob. 83%)

4). Lionel Messi to win World Cup Golden Boot: 10/11 (prob. 53%)

5). Lionel Messi to score first: 7/2 (prob. 22%)

6). Lionel Messi to score anytime: 13/8 (prob. 38%)

7). Julian Alvarez to win World Cup Golden Ball: 66/1 (prob. 1,5%)

8). Julian Alvarez to win World Cup Golden Boot: 10/1 (prob. 9%)

9). Julian Alvarez to score first: 6/1 (prob. 14%)

10). Julian Alvarez to score anytime: 11/4 (prob. 27%)

 

• Lionel Messi has scored 5 goals so far
• Julian Alvarez  has scored 4 goals so far

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the game starts.

 

 

France vs Argentina – facts to know and remember before the World Cup 2022 Great Final play-off

 

Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni has a fully healthy squad after a month-long journey in Qatar, which is rare at this stage. There are only two slight questions regarding Angel Di Maria’s health, as he was an unused substitute against Croatia in the Semi-Final. At the same time, Paulo Dybala only enjoyed 16 minutes off the bench in his first match of the championship.

 

It’s not been much of a problem for ‘La Albiceleste’, as substitute Julian Alvarez has been outstanding in support of Lionel Messi.

 

On the contrary, ‘Les Bleus’ have weathered their early injury crisis with composure. France are without Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunuku, Mike Maignan, and Presnel Kimpembe, who all missed the World Cup with pre-tournament injuries.

 

Theo Hernandez, who tore his ACL in the opening match against Saudi Arabia, is also not being considered for the final game.

 

Despite all these injury-related problems, France made use of their world-class depth, as Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich) has stepped in for his brother admirably, and Olivier Giroud (AC Milan) has been superb upfront in Benzema‘s absence.

 

NOTE: All the yellow cards collected up to this point are wiped after the Semi-Final round of games. Therefore none of the players is suspended for the World Cup Great Final due to a yellow card accumulation.

 

France’s possible starting lineup: Lloris (GK), Kounde, Varane, Konate, T. Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe & Giroud

Argentina’s possible starting lineup: Martinez (GK), Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi & Alvarez

France vs Argentina Head to Head clashes

 

Sunday’s World Cup Final will mark the 13th meeting between the nations in all competitions. The South American champions have picked up 6 wins so far compared to just 3 for their European opponents, while another three have ended all square.

 

France and Argentina have met three times previously at the FIFA World Cup. ‘La Albiceleste’ won the first two encounters in 1930 and 1978, while  ‘Les Bleus’ knocked Argentina out of the 2018 World Cup in the Round of 16 with a 4:3 win.

 

France Group D games – results

 

FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Group D – Final standings

Pos.	Country	Played	W	D	L     GF    GA	GD	Pts
1.	France (Q)	3	2	0	1       6       3	+3	6
2.	Australia (Q)	3	2	0	1       3       4	-1	6
3.	Tunisia	3	1	1	1       1        1	0	4
4.	Denmark	3	0	1	2       1        3	-2	1

 

France – Australia 4:1

France – Denmark 2:1

France – Tunisia 0:1

 

France’s Road to the World Cup 2022 Great Final

 

1/8 France (D1) – Poland (C2) 3:1

1/4 France (D1) – England (B1) 2:1

1/2 France (D1) – Morocco (F1) 2:0

 

FIFA World Cup 2022 Great Final match 

 

France (D1) – Argentina (C1) ???

 

Argentina Group C games – results

 

FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Group C – Final standings

Pos.	Country	Played	W	D	L     GF    GA	GD	Pts
1.	Argentina (Q)	3	2	0	1       5       2	+3	6
2.	Poland (Q)	3	1	1	1       2       2	0	4
3.	Mexico	3	1	1	1       2        3	-1	4
4.	Saudi Arabia	3	1	0	2       3        5	-2	3

 

Argentina – Saudi Arabia 1:2

Argentina – Mexico   2:0

Argentina – Poland 2:0

 

Argentina’s Road to the World Cup 2022 Great Final

 

1/8 Argentina (C1) – Australia (D2) 2:1

1/4 Argentina (C1) – Netherlands (A1) 2:2 (4:3 on penalties)

1/2 Argentina (C1) – Croatia (F2) 3:0

 

FIFA World Cup 2022 Great Final match

 

Argentina (C1) – France (D1) ???

 

Summary

 

There are some reasons to worry about either side worth considering while placing your bets.

 

France have been put under pressure for long stretches of games and found it somewhat difficult at the back, keeping just 1 clean sheet in their 6 games so far. The only encounter they’ve kept a clean sheet in was the Semi-Final against Morocco.

 

On the other hand, Argentina have struggled at times to take their scoring chances. They have not been as clinical as some of their results at this tournament might suggest.

 

Despite that, we’re backing Lionel Messi and co to fulfil the 35-year-old dream of winning the only major football tournament that has so far illuded him during his remarkable career.

 

To summarise, France and Argentina both deservedly made it through to the Final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and whatever happens at the Lusali Stadium on Sunday afternoon, it will be either Argentina winning a third title (and Lionel Messi his first) or France becoming the first back-to-back champions since Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.

 

We are sure you have your own opinions about the winner and loser of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Great Final match. Although the odds aren’t always accurate, you can find the most updated ones on the Betfinal website: www.betfinal.com

 

So, if you plan on betting on any result of the forthcoming Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2022 Great Final match, France vs Argentina, don’t forget to look at those at www.betfinal.com

 

World Cup Finals Qatar – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

1). When and where is the FIFA World Cup 2022?

 

Qatar host the FIFA World Cup 2022 this winter, the first to be organised by an Arab country and the second held entirely in Asia. It is the 22nd edition of the tournament, which began way back in 1930.

 

The event started on Sunday, November 20, with a match between Qatar vs Ecuador.

 

The Final (and 64th match) will kick-off in Lusail on Qatar National Day,  Sunday, December 18, 2022.

 

• November 20: Opening match of 2022 World Cup (Qatar vs Ecuador)
• December 2: Group phase concludes
• December 3-6: Round of 16
• December 9-10: Quarterfinals
• December 13-14: Semifinals
• December 17: Third Place Match
• December 18: Final

 

2). Who is in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Finals?

 

A total of 32 teams compete in the FIFA World Cup. 31 of them must qualify for the tournament, with Qatar qualifying automatically as a host. There are 13 nations from Europe, 4 from South America, 4 from Asia, 5 from Africa, 4 from North America, and Australia, which is a member of the Asian confederation.

 

• Host: Qatar

• Europe: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Wales.
• The rest of the world: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador, USA, Canada, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan, Costa Rica and Australia.

3). Why is the World Cup in November?

This year’s World Cup has been scheduled for November and December, unlike in the usual June and July window. This was done to combat the fierce Qatari summer heat, which is often more than 40°C during the period. The average temperature in November is 24°C and 21°C in December.

 

4). Are tickets for the World Cup 2022 still available?

Tickets are available through the official FIFA website. The online Last Minute Sales on a “first come, first served”  basis is still open and will run until the end of the FIFA World Cup on 18 December.

5). How much does a World Cup ticket cost?

Four categories of tickets are made available to supporters wanting to attend the World Cup in Qatar.

• Category 1 – is the highest priced, located in prime areas within the stadium.
• Category 2 and Category 3 – are seating areas within the stadium offering a less-premium view of the action.
• Category 4 – is a seating area within the stadium reserved exclusively for residents of Qatar.

All tickets are sold in Qatari riyal to both residents of Qatar and international fans, with prices ranging from 40 riyals ($11) to 5,850 riyals ($1,607).

 

Football online betting has never been more accessible, exciting and fun with Betfinal. We offer our players the best and most accurate FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar betting odds to help you choose your best betting World Cup strategies possible.

 

So, get ready for the upcoming World Cup 2022 Great Final match, France vs Argentina, and stay tuned for the best FIFA World Cup Finals betting tips at the Betfinal blog when the time rolls around.

 

Have fun and bet wisely with the best World Cup Matchday 23 – France vs Argentina betting odds at your favourite betting site, www.betfinal.com

 

Published: December 2022

By: Rafa