The World Cup final marks the beginning of an era's end. Lionel Messi will play his last ever match on football's biggest stage on Sunday.
All that remains to be seen is whether he will bow out as world champion or fade into retirement without ever winning the game's top prize.
Argentina have named their starting lineup as they face France in their third World Cup final since last winning the tournament in 1986, making a late change to their team because of an injury to defender Marcos Acuna.
La Albiceleste made a dreadful start to Qatar 2022 with defeat to Saudi Arabia but have been dynamite since, with a blend of veteran stars and exciting young talents driving them to the final.
The Sporting News looks at how Argentina have lined up in the World Cup so far, their key players and how they are approaching the final.
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Argentina World Cup roster
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has tinkered consistently throughout the tournament, rolling out a different formation for each match.
The South Americans lost to Saudi Arabia in a 4-4-2 formation, with Angel Di Maria and Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez providing the width, Messi and Lautaro Martinez starting up top.
Inter Milan striker Martinez has been one of Argentina's biggest disappointments in Qatar and Scaloni has gradually phased him out of the starting XI, with Julian Alvarez taking his starting spot.
They switched to a 4-3-2-1 for their win over Mexico, with Gomez replaced by Guido Rodriguez and Messi dropping back to the attacking midfielder spot, whilst Marcos Acuna and Alexis Mac Allister replaced Nicolas Tagliafico and Leandro Paredes.
There was another change in the final group game match against Poland. Enzo Fernandez was drafted into the side after his substitute goal in the previous match, and Alvarez started in place of misfiring Martinez – partnering Di Maria up front.
An injury to Di Maria caused the only change for the Round of 16 clash against Australia, with Papu Gomez replacing him. Argentina switched to a back five during the match, when Lisandro Martinez replaced Gomez and dropped into the defence.
Despite a late push from Australia, coach Scaloni liked what he saw, as he maintained that 3-5-2 shape for the quarterfinal.
It worked very well for the most part against the Netherlands and their dangerous fullbacks; with Acuna and Nahuel Molina posted high up the pitch to pin back the flying Dutch wingbacks and offer support on the overlap. Scaloni's plan was in action for the opening goal, as Molina latched onto Messi's magical assist.
Argentina managed to cruise through their semifinal without Acuna – and they will hope to be unaffected again in his absence against France.
MORE: Who is Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni? Clubs, style, career as Messi's teammate
Argentina key players vs France
Lionel Messi
Argentina's captain, inspiration and most deadly weapon, this World Cup final is all about one man: Lionel Messi.
This is his moment. It's now or never for the PSG forward, who has vowed to never play another World Cup after this, his fifth attempt.
Messi has been devastatingly effective all tournament. Five goals have drawn him level with Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, making the final a straight shoot-out between veteran icon and presumed successor.
A mesmerising assist and cooly finished penalty helped Argentina beat Croatia in the semifinal. France clumsily gave away two penalties against England and got away with it, but surely Messi won't make the same mistake.
by far the best video i’ve ever taken #messi pic.twitter.com/vJglh088Dr — Connor Kalopsis (@ConnorKalopsis) December 13, 2022
Although the 35-year-old missed his penalty against Poland, he's kept his cool to score four spot-kicks in Qatar.
If France lose their focus or afford Messi an inch too much space, he'll be ready to pounce. It's the biggest game of his career since the 2014 World Cup final.
Alexis MacAllister
Messi can't do it alone and Alexis MacAllister has been one of the players to make a huge step up at this tournament.
The midfielder has impressed in the Premier League for Brighton and brought his form to Qatar, functioning as a hard-running support for Messi, Alvarez and Co in attack.
The midfield battle will be crucial on Sunday, when MacAllister will be relied upon to help close down the likes of Antoine Griezmann to stop them putting Mbappe into dangerous positions.
Enzo Fernandez
A true World Cup revelation, Enzo Fernandez has shown the world he is destined for the top. The 21-year-old is now being pursued by Liverpool – and it's clear to see why.
Fernandez had made just five appearances for his national team before the World Cup but came off the bench in the first two games. He scored a magnificent goal against Mexico, assisted by Messi, that convinced Scaloni to start the midfielder against Poland.
El golazo de Enzo Fernández para el 2-0 de Argentina sobre México.
— Cesar Augusto Londoño (@cesaralo) November 26, 2022
Golazo grabado por mi hijo David, que estudió seis años cine. pic.twitter.com/GLtV3tq0sX
An assist vindicated that decision, and Fernandez has been a constant in the side ever since.
Although he missed a penalty in the quarterfinal shoot-out, Fernandez's dynamism, quality going forward and energy in the press has revitalised a misfiring Argentinian midfield.
He is among the players who could be the difference-makers against France.
MORE: Enzo Fernandez transfer latest: Liverpool 'sign agreement' with World Cup star
Emi Martinez
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been worth his weight in gold for Argentina, though his antics have split opinion in Qatar.
Australia put the Argentinian back-line under pressure with a late goal in their last-16 clash, but was there to smother it: pulling off a miraculous stop from Garang Kuol in the final seconds to keep his team ahead.
Martinez has procured a reputation as a shoot-out specialist, proving himself once again versus the Netherlands. He used every trick in the book to distract and disrupt the Dutch players... and it worked. Two crucial saves to helped Argentina win 4-3 on penalties.
The Aston Villa stopper kept a clean sheet against Croatia in the semifinal and he'll be need in top form against France, with finishers like Olivier Giroud lurking in the box.
MORE: Who is Julian Alvarez? Argentina forward aiming for World Cup glory
Argentina confirmed lineup vs France
(4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico — 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister — 11. Di Maria, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez
Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico was a late replacement for the injured Marcos Acuna, while Angel Di Maria started on the right for an Argentina side otherwise at full strength except for Papu Gomez, who is injured.
Scaloni looks to have chosen a 4-3-3 formation, with Julian Alvarez only one goal behind Messi's total of five in the tournament before the final.
#Qatar2022
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽
Así formará @Argentina 🇦🇷 para el encuentro ante #Francia 🇫🇷 ¡Se viene la final! pic.twitter.com/WO4lPjvxZw — Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) December 18, 2022
Argentina vs France head to head
Argentina are out for revenge in this World Cup final. Their most recent clash with Les Blues saw them dumped out of the 2018 competition after an absolute thriller in Russia.
Kylian Mbappe gave their defence a torrid time throught the Round of 16 meeting but Messi and Co fought back. France took the lead before Argentina turned the game around, only for Mbappe to wrestle back control with two goals in four minutes.
• Seven goals
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 16, 2022
• Eight cards
• Game of the tournament
This is what happened the last time Argentina faced France at a World Cup...pic.twitter.com/SgbQk82t6C
These nations have met 12 times overall, with Argentina holding a clear advantage head-to-head. The South Americans have beaten France on six occasions, drawing three times and losing three.
Three of those came at World Cups, with group stage victories for Argentina at the 1930 and 1978 tournaments before finally meeting again in Russia.
MORE: Argentina World Cup top scorers: Messi, Maradona, Batistuta and more
Argentina vs France: Previous meetings
| Date | Competition | Result | Scorers |
| June 30, 2018 | World Cup (Round of 16) |
France 4 Argentina 3 |
Griezmann (13'-pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68'); Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90') |
| February 11, 2009 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 2 |
Gutierrez (40'), Messi (83') |
| February 7, 2007 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 1 |
Saviola (15') |
| Mar 26, 1986 | Friendly | France 2 Argentina 0 | Ferreri (15'), Vercruysse (80') |
| June 6, 1978 | World Cup (Group stages) |
Argentina 2 France 1 |
Pasarella (45'- pen), Luque (73'); Platini (60') |
| Jun 26, 1977 | Friendly | Argentina 0 France 0 | N/A |
| May 18, 1974 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 1 | Kempes (22') |
| Jun 25, 1972 | Friendly | Argentina 0 France 0 | N/A |
| Jan 12, 1971 | Friendly | Argentina 2 France 0 | Laraignee (4' - pen), Madurga (75') |
| Jan 8, 1971 | Friendly | Argentina 3 France 4 | Brindisi (55'), Nicolau (73'), Laraignee (90' - pen); Loubet (3'), Djorkaeff (50' - pen), Lech (64'), Revelli (89') |
| June 3, 1965 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 0 | N/A |
| July 15, 1930 | World Cup (Group stages) |
Argentina 1 France 0 |
Monti (81') |
Argentina squad at WC 2022
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Minutes at WC | Goals at WC | Assists at WC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | 23 | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 25 | 570 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | 12 | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (ESP) | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 2 | Juan Foyth | Villarreal (ESP) | 24 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 25 | Lisandro Martinez | Man United (ENG) | 24 | 15 | 301 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 26 | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 26 | 478 | 1 | 1 |
| DEF | 4 | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (ESP) | 25 | 21 | 88 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 19 | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 99 | 570 | 0 | 1 |
| DEF | 6 | German Pezzella | Real Betis (ESP) | 31 | 34 | 53 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 13 | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 18 | 428 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 3 | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 47 | 252 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 8 | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (ESP) | 30 | 48 | 318 | 0 | 1 |
| MID | 7 | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 28 | 50 | 500 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 24 | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 9 | 443 | 1 | 1 |
| MID | 17 | Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez | Sevilla (ESP) | 34 | 17 | 109 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 20 | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 13 | 439 | 1 | 0 |
| MID | 14 | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 23 | 47 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 5 | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 50 | 206 | 0 | 1 |
| MID | 18 | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (ESP) | 28 | 27 | 57 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | 9 | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 18 | 364 | 4 | 0 |
| FWD | 16 | Thiago Almada | Atlanta United (USA) | 21 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | 11 | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 128 | 226 | 0 | 1 |
| FWD | 21 | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 35 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | 15 | Angel Correa | Atletico Madrid | 27 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | 22 | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 45 | 221 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | 10 | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 171 | 570 | 5 | 3 |