It is a long pass from the past to the future. When France and Argentina meet at the World Cup in Qatar, some backpasses to history are bound to happen. The teams with the reputation of two World Cups will enter the field for the third title on Sunday 18 December 2022.
Who will win the third World Cup title?
Argentina in their sixth final, France in their fourth
Argentina is playing in the final for the sixth time in the history of World Cup football. France for the fourth time. What makes the teams similar is that both teams have won the title twice each. It will be the team’s third title win when they meet in Qatar.
Who will it be? Messi’s Argentina or Hugo Lloris’ France?
Argentina France’s World Cup history
Argentina lifted the cup for the first time in 1978 with Mario Kempes holding his hand. Diego Maradona was the captain of the team that created the way to victory in 1986. Fans are wondering if Lionel Messi can succeed Kempes and Maradona. Zinedine Zidane’s playmaker will end France’s World Cup title drought. The team lifted the trophy for the first time in 1998. After two decades in 2018, Hugo Lloris and his team kissed the crown again.
Argentina 1978
Score: Argentina- 3 Netherlands- 1
Argentina won in the final which went to extra time. Mario Kempes scored a brace. Riccardo Daniele Berthoni also scored. Dirk Nanninga scored for the Dutch team.
- Team Captain- Daniel Passarella
- Team Top Scorer- Mario Kempes (6 Goals)
- Man of the Tournament – Mario Kempes
- Final XI: Ubaldo Fillol, Lui Galván, Jorge Olguín, Daniel Passarella, Alberto Tarantini, Osvaldo, Ardilles, Americo Gallago, Daniel Berthoni, Mario Kempes, Leopoldo Luque, Oscar Ortiz.
Argentina 1986
Argentina- 3 West Germany- 2
Raised to the pinnacle of excellence by the magic of Diego Maradona, Argentina ended the challenge of West Germany won the title for the second time. Jose Brown, Jorge Alberto Valdano, and Jorge Burruchaga scored for Argentina. Karls-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voller scored for Germany.
- Team Captain: Diego Maradona
- Team Top Scorer: Diego Maradona (5 goals)
- Player of the tournament: Maradona
- Final XI: Neri Pompidou, Sergio Batista, Jose Brown, Jorge Burruchaga, Jose Cucciufo, Maradona, Jorge Valdano, Hector Entic, Riccardo Giusti, Julio Olerticoche, Oscar Ruggeri.
France 1998
Score: France-3 Brazil-0
France lifted the cup by defeating Brazil who came with hopes of the title. Playmaker Zinedine Zidane shone with two goals. Emmanuel Petit was also on target.
- Team Captain: Didier Deschamps
- Team Top Scorer: Thierry Henty (3 goals)
- Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Fabian Barthes
- Final XI: Barthes, Youri Yorkeff, Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram, Franck Leiboeuf, Didier Deschamps, Zidane, Christian Karembu, Stephane Guivares, Petit.
France 2018
Score: France- 4 Croatia- 2
Maintaining an unbeaten record, France inches closer to claiming the title with their exceptional performance. Despite Croatia’s unexpected resistance in the final, they couldn’t match the sheer professionalism of the French team. Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappe scored for France. The team also got an own goal from Mario Mandzukic. Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic scored for Croatia.
- Team Captain: Hugo Lloris
- Team Top Scorer: Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe (4 goals)
- Best Young Player: Kylian Mbappe
- Final XI: Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Griezmann, Mbappe, Blaise Matiudi, Olivier Giroud.