Argentina will face France in the 2022 World Cup final, and both Manchester United and Manchester City will be represented..
Argentina and France will battle for the most prestigious international trophy on Sunday when the two nations compete in the 2022 World Cup final – and Manchester United and Manchester City will both be represented at the showpiece event.
France, who won the tournament in 2018, are bidding to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy, while Argentina are looking to triumph for the third time in their history.
Didier Deschamps’ men defeated Morocco, England and Poland in the knockout stages in Qatar. Paris Saint-Germain talisman Kylian Mbappe has scored five goals at the tournament and is level in the top goalscorer charts with club teammate Lionel Messi – who he will face off against at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Argentina overcame Croatia, the Netherlands and Australia to reach a sixth World Cup final, with Messi having also scored five times at the tournament. The PSG attacker is yet to win the World Cup, having finished as runner-up in 2014 when Germany beat Argentina in extra-time.
United defenders Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane could come head-to-head in the showpiece event on Sunday, while City striker Julian Alvarez is expected to start for the South American side.
Meanwhile, United’s Varane was absent from France training on Friday with ‘flu-like symptoms’ in the squad, though he did train on Saturday. The defender has played in every match bar the victory over Australia at the World Cup, and is a key player for his nation. Deschamps will certainly start the centre-back if he is fit enough to play.
Liverpool man Ibrahima Konate has also been suffering with the illness, while fellow defender Dayot Upamecano returned to training on Thursday after missing the semi-final victory. Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde are both likely to start at full-back after performing well in the Middle East.
Antoine Griezmann, who has been impressive for France at the tournament, will continue in midfield and is expected to play behind an attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Mbappe.
Argentina predicted starting line-up: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
France predicted starting line-up: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
