The FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world, is coming to an end. On Sunday, France and Argentina will play the final, the most important match of the tournament.
In the first semifinal Lionel Messi helped Argentina defeat 2018 runners-up Croatia by a score of 3–0. In the other semi-final, France defeated 2018 runners-up, Morocco, 2-0, ending Morocco’s fairytale run at the World Cup.
🇫🇷 France are the first team to reach 2 consecutive World Cup finals since Brazil in 1998 and 2002.
🏆 France may be the first team in 60 years to retain the FIFA World Cup.#FIFA world cup|#FRA|#FRAMAR pic.twitter.com/ANB3ldxBlT
— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) December 14, 2022
The last match between defending champion France and third-placed Argentina will be a rematch of the Round of 16 matches of the last World Cup, in which Kylian Mbappe helped France win 4–3 after going down.
Argentina and France played each other three times at the World Cup, in 1930, 1978 and 2018. The first two times they played, in 1930 and 1978, they were in the group stage and Argentina won both times. France’s win in Russia, however, was their first time playing in the knockout stages.
Read also: How Croatia national football team captain Luka Modrić amassed a massive $75 million fortune?
Let’s look back at the 2018 World Cup match between these two teams:
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- In the 13th minute, Kylian Mbappe made a fast 75-yard run that led to a penalty. Antoine Griezmann scored France’s first goal by clearing the penalty kick.
- Angel Di Maria scored with his left foot past Hugo Lloris and into the top corner in the 41st minute to tie the game for Argentina.
- Three minutes into the second half Gabriel Mercado scored a lucky hit with a ball movement. This put Argentina ahead 2–1.
- After 57 minutes, France Benjamin Pavard tied the game with a beautiful half-volley from the edge of the box.
- After seven minutes, Kylian Mbappé made a great move to put France back in the lead. Mbappe scored a stunning goal after Paul Pogba’s shot was blocked in the penalty area.
- Mbappé won the game for France with a second goal in the 68th minute. He took advantage of Giroud’s nice touch and finished in style.
- Sergio Aguero‘s header in the last few seconds of the match shocked France.
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