Graham Ruthven: World Cup Final Bet Builder

Argentina v France – Both Teams to score

The 2022 World Cup will conclude with a blockbuster finale between Argentina and France with both teams chasing history. Argentina haven’t been crowned world champions since Diego Maradona led them to glory all the way back in 1986 while Les Blues are seeking to become the first nation to lift the trophy at back-to-back tournaments since Brazil in 1962.

Argentina and France will carry an attacking threat in Sunday’s final. Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are tied on five goals in the Golden Boot standings and the final will be largely determined by the effectiveness of both teams in providing a supply line to their primary difference-maker in the final third.

Even if Mbappe and Messi are kept quiet, the likes of Olivier Giroud, Julian Alvarez, Ousmane Dembele, Enzo Fernandez and Antoine Griezmann will keep the attacking quality high in this match. Argentina have scored in every match they have played at the 2022 World Cup while France have drawn a blank only once – in the final group game against Tunisia when they were already through.

Argentina v France – Julian Alvarez to score

Alvarez has been the surprise star of Argentina’s run to the 2022 World Cup final. Many expected Lautaro Martinez to be La Albiceleste’s number nine for the tournament, but Alvarez has proved himself as the perfect strike partner for Messi, as demonstrated by the youngster’s brace against Croatia in the semi-final.

11 of Argentina’s 12 goals scored have come with Julián Álvarez on the pitch and all 5 conceded came when he was off. Such an important player and has Argentina defending from the front Via @OptaJavier pic.twitter.com/AKf4d0JA5O

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) December 14, 2022

There will be space in behind Theo Hernandez for Argentina to exploit in quick transition and that’s where Alvarez could make an impact. The Manchester City forward is extremely dangerous on the break and has a good awareness of where to position himself to make the most damage – see his movement for Argentina’s third goal against Croatia.

Angel di Maria could come back into the Argentina lineup for the final after starting on the bench against Croatia in the semi-final, but Lionel Scaloni is almost certain to start Alvarez such is the importance of the 22-year-old. He is a good bet to continue his goal-scoring form at the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina v France – Cristian Romero to get a card

Argentina boast a lot of talent, but they also aren’t afraid to get stuck in. Cristian Romero has been booked in his last two matches at the 2022 World Cup and the Tottenham Hotspur defender will be in the firing line against a France attack that will see him face the likes of Mbappe, Giroud and Dembele.

Scaloni has a lot to think about before Sunday’s final. He could drop Argentina’s defensive line deeper to prevent Mbappe and Dembele from exploiting space in behind. However, this could concede control of the midfield area to France which could pin them back. The other option is to stay high and take your chances covering the space in quick transition.

Romero is renowned for making a mark on an opponent early on in matches and he could do that against France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. The 24-year-old must ensure he doesn’t cross the line and leave Argentina a man down, but he will be in the referee’s sights for much of the match.

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