📰 Table Of Contents
Path to the final
France
France drew Tunisia, Denmark and Australia in their group and were expected to top it.
Les Bleus began the campaign with a 4-1 drubbing of Australia before beating Denmark 2-1.
After picking up six points from two, France’s spot in the last-16 was secure heading into their final group game.
This saw Didier Deschamps change most of his XI for their final match with Tunisia, which they lost 1-0.
France then had an easy last-16 tie vs Poland, picking up a 3-1 win, with a late penalty handing Robert Lewandowski a goal from the spot.
The current World Cup holders drew England in the quarter-final. The Three Lions were the better side on the day, but two moments of brilliance from France, some awful officiating and Harry Kane’s late penalty miss allowed France to come away with a 2-1 win.
Argentina
Argentina were drawn alongside Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.
The Copa America holders got off to a nightmare start when they lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
However, Argentina were able to bounce back and notch 2-0 wins over both Mexico and Poland in their following games to top the group.
Lionel Messi and co. were then handed a kind last-16 draw vs Australia, whom they beat 2-1.
From the quarter-final onwards, though, Argentina were facing much tougher opponents.
Netherlands awaited them in the quarter-final. Argentina dominated that game for the most part and were 2-0 up heading into the final 10 minutes. However, Wout Weghorst came off the bench to net two late goals and take the game to penalties.
Emi Martinez was the hero in the shootout, saving two penalties as Argentina ran out 4-3 winners.
The South American powerhouse then faced Croatia in the semi-final. Not the biggest test on paper, but Croatia reached the final in 2018 and had just knocked out favourites Brazil in the previous round.
In truth, though, Croatia were no much for Argentina, especially Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi, the latter scoring one and assisting one whilst Alvarez became the youngster player to net a brace in a WC semi-final since Pele.
Key stats
France
- Matches played: 6
- Red cards: 0
- Yellow cards: 5
- Goals: 13
- Goals conceded: 5
- Clean sheets: 1
- Attempts at goal: 90
- Attempts at goal on target: 26
- Most goals: Kylian Mbappe (5)
- Most attempts at goal: Kylian Mbappe (20)
- Most assists: Kylian Mbappe (2)
- Most passes: Aurelien Tchouameni (362)
- Overall passes: 3140 (2773 completed)
- Most crosses: Antoine Griezmann (33)
- Most distance covered: Aurelien Tchouameni (63.4km)
Argentina
- Matches played: 6
- Red cards: 0
- Yellow cards: 12
- Goals: 12
- Goals conceded: 5
- Clean sheets: 3
- Attempts on goal: 83
- Attempts on target: 39
- Most goals: Lionel Messi (5)
- Most attempts on goal: Lionel Messi (27)
- Most assists: Lionel Messi (3)
- Most passes: Rodrigo de Paul (476)
- Overall passes: 3727 (3297 completed)
- Most crosses: Angel di Maria (24)
- Most distance covered: Rodrigo de Paul (61.03km)
