A feisty seven-goal thriller, more shoot-out heroics from Emiliano Martinez or a comfortable win for Les Bleus? Sportsmail’s experts give their predictions as Argentina and France prepare to meet in the World Cup final
Argentina are set to face off against France in a World Cup final that could provide a fairytale ending to an extraordinary tournament.
Lionel Messi has the chance to top off his legendary career by finally adding football’s greatest prize to his resumè, but standing in his and Argentina’s way is a France side containing his in-form PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
As we approach the last dance in Doha, Sportsmail’s experts have predicted how things will play out on Sunday.
Lionel Messi will have one last chance to win the World Cup against France on Sunday
Chris Sutton — ARGENTINA 1 FRANCE 3
At the start of this tournament, only one Sportsmail writer predicted France would win their second successive World Cup: me! Graeme Souness, Ian Herbert and Kathryn Batte all tipped Argentina, meanwhile.
Sorry to my colleagues who think the stars are aligning for Lionel Messi, but I think I’ll be the one bragging about being right on Sunday.
Ian Ladyman — ARGENTINA 0 FRANCE 1
Argentina have ridden a wave all the way to this final while France have plotted a steady course. Victory to the pragmatists. Heartbreak for the romantics. And I hope I am wrong.
Kylian Mbappe’s presence for France could make for a high soring final in Doha
Ian Herbert — ARGENTINA 4 FRANCE 3
It’s written in the stars for Messi and for his team, who lost 4-3 to France in the last 16 four years ago. Messi has comfortably won the tournament contest with Mbappe and will do so in the final. Many goals in a match between two flawed sides, led by two world-class individuals.
Rob Draper — ARGENTINA 1 FRANCE 2
The best player against the best team. And, as I believe this is ultimately the World Cup of well-organised teams, I think France will edge it. They have superior quality throughout the pitch — except in one obvious area — and a way of managing games that, though it takes them to the edge at times (England, Morocco) is unparalleled in international football right now.
Emi Martinez was the hero for Argentina in the quarter final as they beat Holland on penalties
Mike Keegan — ARGENTINA 1 FRANCE 1 (ARGENTINA WIN ON PENS)
Nothing to separate these two in normal and extra time. Emiliano Martinez then the hero, saving two. Don’t cry, 4-3 Argentina.
Oliver Holt — ARGENTINA 1 FRANCE 2
I have thought that the holders were the best team in the tournament from the first time I saw them play in Qatar and I’m sticking with that opinion. It’ll be close because Argentina have got better and better as the competition has gone on but I think France have got such an embarrassment of attacking riches that they will be able to overcome them.
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