DOHA, Dec 17, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Penpix of the probable
starting line-ups for Sunday's World Cup final between
Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium:
ARGENTINA
GOALKEEPER
EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa/ENG)
Age: 30
Caps: 25
-- Established himself as Argentina's number one during last
year's Copa America victory, and saved two penalties in the
quarter-final shootout win over the Netherlands
DEFENCE
NAHUEL MOLINA (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Age: 24
Caps: 26
-- Broke into side at last year's Copa America and has become
a regular at right-back. Set up opening goal in crucial group
game with Poland and netted first goal in quarter-final against
Dutch.
CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)
Age: 24
Caps: 18
-- Shrugged off a sluggish start to tournament after struggling
with hamstring injury. Argentina nearly paid heavily after removing
him with two-goal lead against Netherlands.
NICOLAS OTAMENDI (Benfica/POR)
Age: 34
Caps: 99
-- Appearing at third World Cup after missing cut in 2014.
The former Manchester City man has played every minute in Qatar
and brings vast experience to the backline.
MARCOS ACUNA (Sevilla/ESP)
Age: 31
Caps: 48
-- A survivor from the 2018 squad who has emerged as the first
choice at left-back since the loss to the Saudis. Missed the
semi-final against Croatia through suspension.
MIDFIELD
RODRIGO DE PAUL (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Age: 28
Caps: 50
-- Key operator in central midfield has started all six
games on run to the final. Has rewarded coach Lionel
Scaloni's faith after being heavily criticised following
the opening loss.
LEANDRO PAREDES (Juventus/ITA)
Age: 28
Caps: 50
-- In and out of the team but played first hour of the
semi-final against Croatia. Lucky not to be sent off against
the Netherlands, later converting a penalty in the shootout.
ENZO FERNANDEZ (Benfica/POR)
Age: 21
Caps: 9
-- Earned his first cap in September and played his way into
the starting line-up at the tournament after a fine goal as a
substitute against Mexico in the second group game.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG)
Age: 23
Caps: 13
-- Unused during the defeat by Saudi Arabia, he has started
every game since and scored the opening goal against Poland.
Father Carlos played a handful of times for Argentina.
ATTACK
LIONEL MESSI (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Age: 35
Caps: 171
-- The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has one final shot at
winning the World Cup, the only glaring omission from a CV
that includes 37 club trophies, a Copa America title and
Olympic gold medal.
JULIAN ALVAREZ (Manchester City/ENG)
Age: 22
Caps: 18
-- Has scored four goals but his movement and work rate in
attack have been equally as instrumental in Argentina's
turnaround since a shock loss to Saudi Arabia, for which
he was a substitute.
FRANCE
GOALKEEPER
HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)
Age: 35
Caps: 144
-- France's most-capped player has yet to put a foot
wrong in Qatar, providing an increasingly reassuring
presence behind a defence that has been hit by injury
and illness.
DEFENCE
JULES KOUNDE (Barcelona/ESP)
Age: 24
Caps: 17
-- Brought into the team after a shaky display by Benjamim
Pavard in the opening game. A natural centre-back but
capable of filling in on the right as he has done for club
and country.
RAPHAEL VARANE (Manchester United/ENG)
Age: 29
Caps: 92
-- Elegant and composed centre-back has looked solid after
returning to team in second group game, having recovered
from leg injury which jeopardised his participation.
DAYOT UPAMECANO (Bayern Munich/GER)
Age: 24
Caps: 11
-- Made starter after Presnel Kimpembe was ruled out just
before departure for Qatar. Left out for the semi-final
against Morocco because of illness, but expected to be
fit for the final.
THEO HERNANDEZ (AC Milan/ITA)
Age: 25
Caps: 12
-- Replaced older brother Lucas at left-back after he tore
his ACL. Can be exposed down the left but a dynamic threat
going forward and scored opener against Morocco in the
semi-final.
MIDFIELD
AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI (Real Madrid/ESP)
Age: 22
Caps: 20
-- Hugely influential in a midfield shorn of Paul Pogba and
N'Golo Kante. Scored brilliant long-range goal against
England in the quarter-finals before conceding penalty.
ADRIEN RABIOT (Juventus/FRA)
Age: 27
Caps: 34
-- Has mended fences after refusing to go on standby list
for 2018 World Cup. Tireless worker in midfield, but stayed
at team hotel for the semi-final with flu-like symptoms.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Age: 31
Caps: 116
-- A revelation in a deeper-lying midfield role. Over a year
since his last international goal but set up winner against
England and excelled as Morocco threatened a comeback in the
semi-final.
ATTACK
OUSMANE DEMBELE (Barcelona/ESP)
Age: 25
Caps: 34
-- His pace and trickery on the right wing keeps defences
on their toes. Has started all but one game but not as
effective in the knockout rounds as in group matches.
KYLIAN MBAPPE (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Age: 23
Caps: 65
-- Joint top scorer with five goals and aiming to become
youngest two-time world champion since 21-year-old Pele
in 1962. Largely kept in check by both England and Morocco
in the past two rounds.
OLIVIER GIROUD (AC Milan/ITA)
Age: 36
Caps: 119
-- France's all-time record scorer with 53 goals. Gives
the attack and focal point and allows Mbappe licence to
roam. Has four goals in tournament and headed home late
winner to sink England.
