FIFA World Cup final live betting: Argentina vs France in-game tips, odds updates, best bets as Messi, Mbappe trade goals in extra-time

After a thrilling and memorable 2022 FIFA World Cup, fans are about to be treated to a finale worthy of capping off this sensational tournament.

Argentina and France match up in a meeting of superstars both worthy of hoisting the World Cup trophy. The game is billed as a dead even affair, with odds for both sides nearly split straight down the middle.

Lionel Messi is looking for the final piece of silverware to cement his status as the greatest player of all time, while Kylian Mbappe will be searching for a second-straight World Cup title to ensure his status as the game’s brightest talent at just 23.

The Sporting News’ soccer betting expert Kyle Bonn has been sharing his tips and analysis throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Follow along as we take you through the Argentina vs France match as it happens, with live betting tips and analysis along the way.

MORE: Full breakdown of Argentina vs France pre-match betting

The updated boxscore for the Argentina vs France match is followed by in-game tips, along with observations and analysis as the match progresses.

Argentina vs France live score

Goals:
23rd min — ARG — Lionel Messi (pen)
36th min — ARG — Angel Di Maria
80th min — FRA — Kylian Mbappe (pen)
82nd min — FRA — Kylian Mbappe
109th min — ARG — Lionel Messi
117th min — FRA — Kyilan Mbappe (pen)

Confirmed lineups:

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina (Montiel, 91′), 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico, — 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister (Pezzella, 116′) — 11. Di Maria (Acuna, 64′), 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez.

France (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez (Camavinga, 71′)— 8. Tchouameni, 7. Griezmann (Coman 71′), 14. Rabiot (Fofana, 96′) — 10. Mbappe, 9. Giroud (Thuram, 41′), 11. Dembele (Kolo Muani, 41′).

Argentina vs France live betting

Argentina vs France updates, betting analysis, stats, and commentary

Extra Time: Argentina vs. France

116th min: PENALTY, FRANCE! It’s a handball in the penalty area! Gonzalo Montiel jumps to block a shot from Kylian Mbappe, and as he turns his back, his arm comes out and the ball clatters into it!

Mbappe steps up for his hat-trick…GOAL! FRANCE! After a LONG look and wait, he sends Emi Martinez the wrong way, and we’re LEVEL AGAIN! WHAT A MATCH! THIS IS INSANE!

114th min: Leandro Paredes, just onto the field, gets a yellow for hacking down Eduardo Camavinga in midfield. Argentina make a final change, with Alexis Mac Allister comes off in favor of a defender German Pezzella.

109th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! SCENES! HAS LIONEL MESSI WON THE WORLD CUP?! It’s a wave of attacking pressure, and Lautaro Martinez has a great go from a tight angle that Hugo Lloris saves, but Lionel Messi is there on the line to poke home the rebound! There’s a clearance off the goal mouth by a French defender, but the ball absolutely went over the line. There’s a long check for offside as well, but THE GOAL STANDS!

We would have loved Lautaro to get that one himself, but what a poetic moment!

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

It was THIS CLOSE for Argentina 😱 pic.twitter.com/7Oz41UCQej

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 18, 2022

108th min: Lionel Messi forces a save of Hugo Lloris down low to his left, which cashes our shots on target bet! You knew he’d have an eye for goal.

Halftime of Extra-Time: PICK — We’re struggling for a signature pick here in this match, with a few falling agonizingly short, so we’re going big here. Martinez has come on and been extremely bright, heavily involved up front.

• PICK: Lautaro Martinez to score a goal: +800 (FanDuel)

105+1 min: Chance, Argentina! Oh no Lautaro misses again! He’s through on goal, under heavy pressure from Dayot Upamecano and Hugo Lloris, but he puts it wide left! Looks like Upamecano got a touch, but the corner isn’t given.

104th min: Chance, Argentina! Lautaro Martinez has been brought on my Lionel Scaloni, with Julian Alvarez coming off, and he gets right into the action! He takes too long to get a shot off in the penalty area, and Dayot Upamecano comes over to make the tackle.

The Inter striker has done next to nothing this entire World Cup, and he could really use a signature moment in an Argentina shirt. Do we think about a flier on him with a shot on target, or even a goal?

97th min: Kylian Mbappe goes down in some pain, but the referee gets him to his feet before treatment is required. Argentina look the better team in extra-time early on, with a few good moves forward, but no great chances on net just yet.

Youssouf Fofana is on for Adrien Rabiot, with France changing shape again. Stunning tackle by Enzo Fernandez to keep Randal Kolo Muani from dancing into the penalty area, but then Gonzalo Montiel draws a yellow on the left flank to give France a free-kick opportunity, which is cleared.

94th min: PICK — These teams are throwing numbers forward, and Lionel Messi has his sights set on a sensational winner. He’ll be heavily involved, as he was through regulation when he had three shots, two of them on frame.

• PICK: Lionel Messi 1+ shot on target in extra-time (+145 on FanDuel)

91st min: Here we go, 30 more minutes of World Cup final football. Argentina make a change, with Gonzalo Montiel coming on at right-back for Nahuel Molina.

Odds to win World Cup at @BetMGM

Argentina -125

France -110

— John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) December 18, 2022

END OF REGULATION: Argentina 2-2 France

An absolutely insane half of football sees the two teams level at the end of regulation. Our live bets in regulation are just barely profitable, but we were so close to so much more. Lionel Messi nearly saw a winner for Argentina which would have been big, plus France finishes one corner short of the total. A few heartbreakers there, but the process was correct on game flow. Thankfully, while searching for value, we still come out slightly ahead.

Let’s see what we can do in extra time!

Second half: Argentina vs France

90+7 min: Chance, Argentina! LIONEL MESSI NEARLY WINS IT BUT LLORIS MAKES AN INSANE SAVE! This is sensational stuff!

The corner doesn’t come to anything, and with France breaking, Marcos Acuna stops it with a foul, which he sees a card for. The over hits!

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

90+4 min: Chance, France! Emiliano Martinez makes his first save of the match, somehow keeping France away from a late winner! The shots on target bet is cashed! Olivier Giroud gets a yellow card from the bench, which doesn’t count annoyingly, because no cards to players or coaches on the bench count.

90th min: Eight minutes of stoppage time! Just need one more card, need one more France shot on target, need two more France corners, need one more goal in either direction…

87th min: Oh wow, Marcus Thuram goes down in a heap in the penalty area, and instead of a penalty, the official shows a yellow card to Thuram for diving. That’s a huge call, but the right one on review. It’s almost a penalty, but the defender gets his leg away at the last moment.

HIGHLIGHT: USA

85th min: PICK — This game has LIT UP. There’s only five minutes plus stoppage time to go, but there’s a ton of value in taking a pair of picks to see either team win this in regulation.

• PICK: Correct score — 3-2 (+550 on BetMGM)
• PICK: Correct score — 2-3 (+500 on BetMGM)

Disbelief. pic.twitter.com/QFC9rVDyj6

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022

81st min: GOAL! FRANCE! What on earth has happened!?!? Kylian Mbappe with a brace out of NOWHERE and now France are level!!! This is MADNESS! Argentina have crumbled again! Two goals in 93 seconds, and not only are France level, but Mbappe now leads the Golden Boot race!

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

79th min: PENALTY, FRANCE! Nicolas Otamendi is beaten by Randal Kolo Muani, and the isolation works! Otamendi yanks Kolo Muani down by the shoulder, and the referee points to the spot!

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

Mbappe steps up, and…GOAL! FRANCE! Game on! Emi Martinez gets a hand to it, but he’s still beaten by a good effort.

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

77th min: Eduardo Camavinga kicks Rodrigo De Paul, who’s been hacked all game. Somehow…still no yellow card. Poor Argentine midfielder has been battered the whole way through, and there has been little action from the referee to keep it from happening.

71st min: France have their first shot! Kylian Mbappe puts it miles over the bar. A good cut inside but he was wildly off balance, and sails over. Eduardo Camavinga and and Kingsley Coman come on, with Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez are withdrawn, which is surprising. Those two have been excellent all tournament.

Camavinga slots in at…left back? What is Didier Deschamps doing?

Didier Deschamps has withdrawn Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, and Theo Hernandez with 3 of his 4 subs.

Those 3 have been France’s best players not named Kylian Mbappe this World Cup. I get making subs based on game flow, but at some point you have to trust your best players.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 18, 2022

68th min: France have their second corner, but Randal Kolo Muani puts his header wide. Kingsley Coman preparing to come on for France, as is Eduardo Camavinga. Still zero shots, on or off target…

64th min: Chance, Argentina! Hugo Lloris has to come out and make a tackle on Rodrigo de Paul! Lots of contact with Lloris, de Paul, and French defender Dayot Upamecano, but no call. It’s great defending last-ditch, and keeps Argentina out.

Angel Di Maria is off, and likely finishes his international career. Marcos Acuna comes in to replace him in what seems to be a pre-planned change.

This has been a magnificent performance from Angel Dí María. He has terrorized #FRA all game. He is just made for these big matches. My MOTM so far. #ARG are less than 30 minutes away from winning their first World Cup since 1986.

— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) December 18, 2022

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

61st min: PICK — France are going to get on the ball soon, they’re slowly working their way forward more as Argentina start sitting back little by little. Les Bleus hardly have seen a look on goal, but these are the defending world champions after all, and it’s hard to imagine they’ll go quietly into the night as this half moves on.

• PICK: France 3+ shots on target (+300 on FanDuel)

France have had zero shots after 62 minutes… 😬 pic.twitter.com/p8arHwPsVH

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 18, 2022

56th min: Adrien Rabiot draws a yellow for hacking down Rodrigo De Paul, and then Nicolas Tagliafico fouls Randal Kolo Muani. The latter gets away without a booking, but our earlier pick on yellow cards seems to be tracking well. Now Kylian Mbappe kicks De Paul right in the back of the let, and he too somehow gets no caution.

France finally starting to get a few looks on the ball, we’re thinking about a shots on target pick soon, either on a French player (Kylian Mbappe currently -110 to have 1+ shots on target) or on the French team. Standby…

51st min: France have their first corner, but it’s straight into the arms of Emi Martinez. Good news for the earlier pick, they need to get at least four to cash. Les Blues are sure to have heavy pressure as the game drags on.

47th min: Argentina already on the front foot, and France look horrific as there’s already a mistake to see a ball slowly roll out of play. The crowd has a collective laugh. Rodrigo De Paul has a go on the volley, which goes into the gut of Hugo Lloris.

France have to get Kylian Mbappe on the ball, he had 11 touches in the first half, the fewest of any outfield player who started.

Argentina’s passing network shows a team working in almost perfect harmony – France’s leaves a lot to be desired…

💻 @johnspacemuller#ARG | #FRA | #ArgentinaVsFrance | #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/lzIdytoZit

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 18, 2022

46th min: The second half is under way. No halftime changes for France, who have already used a pair of substitutions and one sub window.

Teams leading by multiple goals at halftime of men’s World Cup KO stage games are 25-0-0 👀 pic.twitter.com/dk6eyjlyXD

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022

HALFTIME: Argentina 2-0 France

7 mins to 2nd half: PICK — Here at the halftime break, the question becomes can France grab any kind of attacking impetus? Or will Argentina continue to pour on the pressure? Judging by the flow of the game so far, the latter is far more likely. France became the first team in World Cup history (since data became available in 1966) to fail to register a single shot or touch in the opposition box through the first half of a final. There’s zero indication they can turn this around, and we make our picks on the information available to us — if they turn it around, tip your cap and move on.

Yes, Argentina have already blown a 2-0 lead in this tournament, but the Netherlands looked much better on the whole of that match than France have so far, and it took a pair of completely wacky goals for that to happen. Argentina have done extremely well defensively all tournament, and they should get a third as France pour numbers forward. It’s definitely possible to see France score a goal, or the half to finish scoreless, but for the value at over 2/1, this is the way to play.

• PICK: Argentina to win the 2nd half (+220 on FanDuel)

0 – France failed to attempt a shot or register a touch in the opposition box in the first half. Zéro. pic.twitter.com/jfyuvJOzxv

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022

Halftime: What a first 45 minutes. A stunning performance by Argentina, a total team contribution. France failed to gain a foothold in the match, and they failed to produce a single shot on target as a result.

Only one other World Cup winner managed to turn around a two-goal deficit to hoist the trophy. Can France produce a turnaround to become the second? They have the talent to do so, and Argentina have already blown a 2-0 lead earlier in this tournament (Netherlands, Round of 16), but judging by that first half performance, it’s a long way away.

The #FRA body language looks awful. Completely stunned at how they’ve come out for a World Cup final. This is shocking

— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) December 18, 2022

Argentina vs France: First half

45+6 min: There’s seven minutes of stoppage time, and it’s been mostly calm. A foul here by Enzo Fernandez draws the first yellow card of the match, which is great for our over!

41st min: Angel Di Maria is fouled by Jules Kounde, and two players will be coming on for France. An early panic button from Didier Deschamps as he yanks Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele before halftime, with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani both coming on. A MASSIVE call from the France boss, who has seen his team overrun in midfield. I’m surprised there was no change in the middle of the field.

Deschamps taking off Dembele is the right move…but Giroud yanked, and no midfielder brought on???

EXTREMELY questionable. I don’t like it. Deschamps can’t be the one to panic for France.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 18, 2022

36th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Angel Di Maria has Argentina’s second!!! They’re FLYING now! This one comes on the counter, and Alexis Mac Allister feeds his elder statesman who slots home easily. The two emotional leaders of this Argentina side, both in their final World Cup, are the ones to score for their side. Fitting.

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

One of the best World Cup final goals?#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/OUzgFrtC9G

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 18, 2022

33rd min: PICK — France don’t have a single corner yet, as Argentina have dominated possession. They’re trailing already and will likely make attacking changes at halftime if it stays this way. Surely at the end if Les Bleus still trail they’ll rack up the pressure and look to get set piece chances. Over 4.5 corners at nearly 4/1 is tempting, but that’s a high bar to clear in just 60 minutes for the team struggling for possession.

• PICK: France over 3.5 corners (+162 on FanDuel)

Meanwhile, a BRILLIANT tackle from Dayot Upamecano on Lionel Messi. That was well done, but France still look nervy at the back.

27th min: PICK — There have been a number of heavy challenges so far in this match, as you’d expect from a World Cup final. Our pre-match best bet was for 4.5 yellow cards, and while that’s a very high bar to clear, we’ll take the plus odds on 3.5 from this point on.

The ugly Lusail Stadium pitch will probably also help things get a little chippy.

• PICK: Over 3.5 yellow cards (+120 on FanDuel)

The pitch is not good.

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 18, 2022

22nd min: PENALTY, ARGENTINA! Angel Di Maria with the foul inside the box, he clowns one defender before he’s clipped by Ousmane Dembele in the penalty area while dribbling laterally! It’s a horribly soft penalty to concede, but it’s the right call.

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

Lionel Messi steps up to take, and…GOAL! ARGENTINA! Messi puts Argentina in front! Our bet of Argentina to score first cashes, and Messi becomes the first player in World Cup history to score in every knockout stage round possible.

HIGHLIGHT: USA | Canada

19th min: Good free-kick chance for France on the left side of the penalty area just inches outside the box. Good counter from the French, as they have had very little of the ball. Olivier Giroud comes flying in with a header, and even though he put it over, he’s called for a foul.

16th min: PICK — Argentina has another great attack after a bad giveaway from France in midfield, but Angel Di Maria puts it miles over. We’re rolling with the early pressure for Argentina, as they look like they’re knocking on the door.

• PICK: Argentina to score first (-105 on BetMGM)

13th min: Hugo Lloris is up after a few minutes of treatment for a collision with Cristian Romero. He’s up and ok. France have had one good attacking possession, otherwise it’s all Argentina. Lionel Messi looks lively at the top of the penalty area.

This is the most uncomfortable we’ve seen France all World Cup.

— Eric Krakauer (@EricKrakauer) December 18, 2022

8th min: PICK — Our first selection of the match. Argentina have held the majority of possession, and Julian Alvarez is proving a dangerous presence in the middle. He’s not had a shot yet, which is a good thing, because his odds are spectacular at the moment, at over 4/1. Too good to pass up.

• PICK: Julian Alvarez 2+ shots on target (+410 on FanDuel)

5th min: The first shot on target falls to…Alexis Mac Allister! It’s an easy save for Hugo Lloris who gets it straight into his bread basket. Argentina with the early advantage possessionally. Their shots on target odds are dropping.

3rd min: Julian Alvarez has a half-chance up front which Hugo Lloris comes down to save, but the flag is up. It’s a good early buildup for the South Americans.

There’s a lot of fouling early here, as Lionel Messi goes down after an aerial duel with Dayot Upamecano. The propensity for a yellow card here is building…

2nd min: Argentina holding the early possession, with Enzo Fernandez playing the No. 10 role and both Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria as true wingers. Expect both to pinch at times.

France pressing high early on, but we don’t expect that to continue throughout the match. Trying to create something early, but Les Bleus are fine sitting back as well. Rodrigo de Paul gets an early chat from referee Szymon Marciniak after fouling Adrien Rabiot.

Kickoff: THE WORLD CUP FINAL HAS KICKED OFF!!!!! Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappe for all the marbles.

Soak it in for a few minutes, then let’s get to work!

90 minutes to decide history. 💫 pic.twitter.com/xPtusHyq3s

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 18, 2022

LETS GOOOOOO #ARG #FRA #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2Z2IWz8VN8

— Zayn Jinah (@zaynjca) December 18, 2022

Argentina vs France: Prematch stats, analysis, and tips

5 mins to kickoff: Almost here! The WORLD CUP FINAL, folks!

Things we’re looking at as the game nears a start include yellow cards and corners. We’re expecting a low energy and highly physical game flow through the first half on the whole. There could be a lot of adrenaline at the opening kickoff, and the first 5-10 minutes won’t necessarily reflect how the rest of the match will progress, but it could serve to help boost the odds on things we are looking at overall.

🇫🇷🏆🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/pd7Zlotjhq

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) December 18, 2022

19 mins to kickoff: With kickoff right around the corner, one more check of the odds confirms what we’ve seen throughout the last few days: the public is all aboard the Lionel Messi train. This match opened with odds very slightly favoring France, and those have flipped from about even-money yesterday to a full swing in Argentina’s favor. Right now, at BetMGM, Argentina sit as a +165 favorite, compared to France’s +188.

There’s also been a huge swing towards goals, as the under was a -190 favorite to open, but is now at -160, while both teams to score has moved all the way to an even -120 to each option. Fans have made it clear what they want to see!

Updated France-Argentina Match Results (regular time only) betting at @BetMGM

Argentina open +175, now +165
▪️ 55% of bets, 58% of money on 🇦🇷

Tie open +200, now +220
▪️ 9% of bets, 5% of money on Tie

France open +175, now +180
▪️ 36% of bets, 37% of money on 🇫🇷

— John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) December 18, 2022

31 mins to kickoff: One reason this match might be so low-scoring is that both teams have defended in low-energy, low aggression ways. Neither team presses high, and both have been successful in their own right.

Argentina have been the best defensive side at the tournament in terms of expected goals per 90 minutes. Meanwhile, France have defended well in their own half, looking to spring counter-attacks at pace going the length of the field rather than pressing and creating turnovers high up the pitch.

Argentina have been very impressive defensively at the #FIFAWorldCup, conceding just 1.96 expected goals in their six matches #ARG#ARGFRA pic.twitter.com/HqFuvGw3Zx

— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) December 18, 2022

There are many different ways to win a World Cup. #FRA are going to attempt to do it defending almost exclusively from their own half#ARGFRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GfqWm1P2tz

— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) December 18, 2022

43 mins to kickoff: While it’s not quite the Super Bowl, a few sports books have gone the extra mile ahead of today’s match with some fun World Cup final bets. Sports Interaction in Canada have done the best to provide fans with an entertaining slate of match-specific bets, including if there will be a pitch invader (+510) or will the winning captain drop the trophy (+3300).

Check out all the World Cup final specials from around the world here!

Who will be the Man of the Match in the World Cup Final?

Lionel Messi +150
Kylian Mbappe +200
Antoine Griezmann +750
Damian Martinez +900
Hugo Lloris +900
Julian Alvarez +900
Olivier Giroud +900 pic.twitter.com/CqTFxbFoxF

— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) December 18, 2022

56 mins to kickoff: Obviously, it goes without saying that today, all eyes will be on superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on opposite ends of the pitch. These finals often deliver matchups between world-class players, but rarely is all the focus on one singular player from each side.

Messi has been the best player in the entire tournament, and could become the first player in World Cup history with a goal in each of the knockout stage rounds if he scores today. Mbappe took the early Golden Boot lead, but has been quiet through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Who will take the next step towards becoming the best player of all time? Messi has the lead, but if Mbappe won his second World Cup at just 23 years old, he would have an inside track to finishing his career with that title.

France vs. Argentina

Mbappé vs. Messi

Who will go on to lift the #FIFAWorldCup ? pic.twitter.com/d5sthDhYXx

— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) December 18, 2022

1 hr 6 mins from kickoff: There’s been a change to one of the starting lineups. Argentina have gone with Nicolas Tagliafico at left-back. It’s a big miss for Argentina, as Marcos Acuna has been imperative to the Albiceleste’s success, but he’s been carrying a core injury (reports indicate it’s a sports hernia, ouch) for much of it and was suspended for the semifinal for yellow card accumulation. Tagliafico has filled in and done just fine when called upon.

Tagliafico could be a yellow card candidate in this match, something to watch. He committed the most fouls of any player in the semifinal.

1 hr 19 mins from kickoff: Polish official Szymon Marciniak will be in charge of today’s World Cup final. It is his third match as lead official this World Cup, and second of the knockout stage. He has seen both these teams once before, taking charge of France’s group stage game against Denmark as well as Argentina’s Round of 16 win over Australia.

Marciniak has been lenient in his previous two matches, whistling for just 18 fouls combined in the two games, and showing a total of five yellow cards.

He was also in charge of the famous 3-3 Champions League draw between Barcelona and Inter at the Camp Nou that saw the Spanish side out of this year’s competition. There were six yellow cards in that heated and emotional game.

pic.twitter.com/1FTEXXvTal

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 15, 2022

1 hr 34 mins from kickoff: Lineups are in already, and there’s zero surprises on either side. Angel Di Maria starts for Argentina, having only played eight minutes in the knockout stage due to injuries.

Dayot Upamecano returns for France after missing the semifinal due to illness, who revert to the same starting lineup they used against England. It’s unlucky for Ibrahima Konate, who was excellent in the semifinal, but drops to the bench for the regular starter. Appears there was nothing to the rumors of a flu around the France camp, as Adrien Rabiot starts as do all others expected to be involved.

The #FIFAWorldCup final team sheet

Angel di Maria comes in for #ARG

Adrien Rabiot & Dayot Upamecano return for #FRA, who name the same XI that beat #ENG in the quarter-finals pic.twitter.com/m3wf9b53DW

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 18, 2022

1 hr 45 mins from kickoff: Just how incredible has Antoine Griezmann been in this World Cup? Moving back to a No. 8 role, he’s been the most creative player in the tournament by a mile. His expected assists (xA) are nearly double any other player in the entire competition.

There aren’t many sportsbooks in the U.S. that allow for betting on more specific stats like tackles, but in the U.K. you can get a parlay of Antoine Griezmann to have 2+ tackles and 1+ assists for around 5/1. Add in France to win, and you get 8/1 odds, as seen below.

Antoine Griezmann is the only player this tournament with:

◉ 5+ shots
◉ 5+ clearances
◉ 5+ chances created
◉ 5+ possession won def ⅓
◉ 5+ possession won mid ⅓
◉ 5+ possession won final ⅓

This N’Griezmannté Bet Builder is 8/1. 😅

18+ | Ts&Cs | BeGambleAware | #Ad

— Squawka (@Squawka) December 17, 2022

I wrote about how Didier Deschamps took a France team beset by injuries to key players and, somehow, made them better than when they won the World Cup in 2018. Griezmann’s position change is a massive part of that.

2 hrs from kickoff: As we get set to break down Argentina vs France in the World Cup final, we’re looking at this match from all angles. For a full statistical breakdown of the match, check out our huge stat preview of the 2022 World Cup final.

If you told me before the tournament that Nicolas Otamendi would already be considered the best center-back in the tournament before the final even kicks off, I would have laughed in your face. But here we are. He is third in the World Cup in passes completed and touches, second in aerial duels won.

🎯 Nicolas Otamendi has made 57 successful long passes from his own half to the opposition half at #Qatar2022; only Rodri (82) has made more #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qHWwlWRXDu

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 13, 2022

There’s also a bit about Raphael Varane’s incredible record in finals, which is hard to believe. He’s already beaten Lionel Messi twice in finals, from their days as El Clasico rivals with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

😤 Raphael Varane has played in 16 finals in his career… and won 14 of them!

😏 Two came against Lionel Messi – will he make it a hat-trick today? pic.twitter.com/puGaB4WkA4

— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) December 18, 2022

Argentina vs France odds (pre-match)

Below are the odds for this one, which were released a few days before the match.

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).

Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except ‘to advance.’

Argentina vs France score prediction

• Moneyline lean: Draw (+200)
• Score prediction: Argentina 1-1 France (Argentina to win on penalties)

Two of the best three teams on the planet (in my estimation) in the World Cup final, and there’s almost nothing to separate them.

There are reasons to worry about either side. France have been put under pressure for long stretches of games, and the only match they’ve kept a clean sheet in was the semifinal against Morocco, where Les Bleus were pummeled on both sides of halftime.

Argentina, meanwhile, have struggled at times to take their chances, and have not been as clinical as some of their scorelines at this tournament might suggest. 

Argentina vs France pre-match best bet

• Pick: Over 4.5 yellow cards
• Odds: +106 (FanDuel)

France haven’t been a team that pick up yellow cards at this World Cup (they have had five this tournament), but the game of theirs that profiles similarly to what we may see in this final is the clash with England. France were sloppy in that match, and picked up a trio of cautions.

Argentina, meanwhile, are one of the most physical teams in the field. Their 12 bookings so far is joint-second of anyone in the World Cup, level with Serbia and two back of Saudi Arabia.

Even in a comfortable 3-0 win over Croatia in the semifinals, they picked up two bookings, and in the quarterfinal war with the Netherlands they earned an insane nine cards. The speed of the France attack will force them into a few clumsy or late tackles.

How to watch Argentina vs France

The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina vs France will be played at Lusail Stadium.

Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.