Argentina vs. France 2022 World Cup Final Best Bets: Messi and Mbappe Put It All for the Third Star (Archive)
Score Prediction: Argentina 2 – France 2
World Cup Pick: Both Teams To Score/Yes (-103) [1.03u wager returns 1u] at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
Our top World Cup best bets come to a sad end this Sunday, but we go one more time.
They’ll compete for the same team in 2 weeks when Paris Saint-Germain returns to domestic action. But currently, 2 of the biggest names in professional soccer must engage in a 90-minute war in hopes of assisting their team to become World Cup Champions. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe put it all on the line this Sunday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Read on for Sunday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup final best bets, soccer analysis, and free Qatar betting preview for Argentina vs. France.
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Argentina vs. France
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 10:00 AM EST at Lusail Stadium
Argentina vs. France Betting Analysis
- Argentina and France have a combined 25 goals from 12 World Cup games.
- In 6 games, France has maintained one clean sheet.
- Lionel Messi has scored 15 goals in his previous 10 international games.
Lionel Messi Leading Argentina to Gold
Most of the Argentinian squad aren't playing for themselves; they're playing for a man who inspired them through generations of soccer. Following 28 days and 63 competitive games in Qatar, the fate of the World Cup will be declared in Lusail as France defend their 2018 crown versus Argentina, who's determined to send off Lionel Messi from active World Cup competition with the most coveted trophy that's eluded his prestigious career.
Messi signaled that Sunday's game will be his last ever World Cup appearance; he has undoubtedly been the superstar in Qatar despite being 35 years of age. He isn't just competing for a World Cup gold medal but is also the frontrunner for the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot awards from the Qatar tournament.
Argentina has been relentless in the final third since their opening day shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, a result we can now look back on and understand this was a glitch in the system. And with 5 goals and 3 assists thus far, Messi has scored in all but one of his starting games in Qatar, with 15 goals from his previous ten appearances for Argentina in all competitions.
Naturally, the spotlight is on Messi, but this shouldn't overshadow the performances of fellow Argentinian squad members like Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez. Alvarez could also be an Argentinian contending for the Golden Boot, as he's netted 4 goals in this tournament.
Argentina hasn't won the World Cup since 1986 and has lost 2 finals since that special moment. However, the trophy drought haunting them ended in 2021 as the Albicelestes defeated their South American rivals Brazil in the Copa America final.
Kylian Mbappe Looks to Spoil His Teammate’s World Cup Retirement
Messi won't be the lone superstar appearing at Sunday's World Cup final. His PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe will be competing for the same illustrious awards and has been instrumental in France's title-defending success in Qatar.
Age will favor the Frenchman, who's 12 years younger than Messi, and he's already sitting amongst elite company after collecting his first World Cup winners medal in 2018. However, Mbappe is one assist behind his PSG brethren in the Qatar Golden Boot race, so we should expect fireworks from each international superstar this weekend.
France suffered a shock defeat during the group stages, similar to their opponents. And although the backup starting XI that lost to Tunisia wasn't France's final form, a fully reinforced Les Bleus didn't exactly light up the competition on their path to the finals.
Both games versus England and Morocco could've gone either way. And although Didier Deschamps prevented Morocco from scoring, they've allowed every other team in Qatar to score at least one goal, proving that defensive woes could give Messi and co. no troubles finding the net.
Argentina vs. France: Prediction and Odds
The available World Cup odds at Bookmakers Review have France and Argentina split on the money line at +170 apiece. Predicting a side for this game is wagering suicide, and we simply cannot separate the 2 best international teams in the world.
However, all is not lost. The dazzling French attack has looked unconvincing at the other end of the pitch, conceding goals in 5 of their 6 games in Qatar.
These teams boast 2 of the greatest attacking players in soccer history, so backing both teams to score is a wager we can get behind for your soccer picks.
Score Prediction: Argentina 2 - France 2
World Cup Pick: Both Teams To Score/Yes (-103) [1.03u wager returns 1u] at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.