Argentina and France contest the 2022 Fifa World Cup Final on Sunday and the betting suggests there will be very little between the sides.
Odds provided by Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Argentina
Argentina booked their place in the final with a 3-0 win over Croatia in Tuesday's semi. After a slow start to the game Messi put them in front from the penalty spot on 34 minutes, Alvarez made it 2-0 just 5 minutes later and a second from Alvarez sealed the win on 69 minutes.
Argentina's quarter final match up with the Netherlands went the full distance with the South American's eventually coming through on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. Messi provided a first half assist for Molina to open the scoring and Messi doubled the advantage from the penalty spot on 73 minutes. The Dutch came back with a goal on 83 minutes and an equalizer deep into a lengthy spell of injury time and the game boiled over with 17 yellows cards in total and 1 red for a Dutch player and Argentina keeper Emi Martinez saved 2 spot kicks.
Argentina came up against Australia in the Round of 16 and they came through with a 2-1 win. Messi and Julian Alvarez put them in charge before Australia grabbed a consolation.
Argentina topped Group C with 6 points, 2 clear of Poland who edged out Mexico on goal difference. In their opening match Messi put them in front from the penalty spot against Saudi Arabia. It could have been 4 or 5 by half time but amazingly Saudi turned it around in the second half to win 2-1. Argentina then put themselves on the board with a 2-0 win over Mexico (Messi and Enzo Fernandez). Coming into their final group match all 4 nations had some sort of chance to qualify and Argentina held their nerve with a 2-0 win over Poland thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Argentina's last World Cup title came back in 1986 and they were runners up in 1990 and 2014
France
On Wednesday defending champions France saw off giant killers Morocco with a 2-0 semi final win. Theo Hernandez opened the scoring on 5 minutes, Giroud them missed a sitter but Morocco stayed in the game and threatened an equailzer before substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed victory on 79 minutes.
France edged out England 2-1 in the quarter finals. Tchouaméni scored the opening goal on 17 minutes, England equalized from the penalty spot in the second half and Giroud scored the decisive goal on 78 minutes. There was further drama with England missing a second spot kick inside the final 10 minutes,
France eventually made pretty short work of Poland with a 3-1 win in the Round of 16. After a pretty even opening Giroud gave them the lead just before half time and 2 quality goals from Mbappe saw them home before the Poles grabbed a consolation at the death.
France topped Group D with 6 points, ahead of Australia on goal difference with Tunisia third and Denmark fourth. Raibot, Giroud (twice) and Mbappe were the French scorers in the 4-1 win against Australia in their opening match. They saw off Denmark 2-1 next time out with Mbappe scoring both goals in the second half, either side of a Denmark equalizer. France had already sealed a last 16 place regardless of what happened in their final group match against Tunisia. They made wholesale changes and Tunisia pulled off a surprise 1-0 win
France beat Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final in Russia, they were runners up in 2006 and winners in 1998.
Recent World Cup Finals
2018 France 4-2 Croatia
2014 Germany 1-0 Argentina (aet)
2010 Spain 1-0 Netherlands (aet)
2006 Italy 1-1 France (aet) Italy won the penalty shoot out
2002 Brazil 2-0 Germany
1998 France 3-0 Brazil
The Betting:
Argentina are 18/10 to win in regulation time with the draw at 2/1 and France can be backed at 17/10
A game of 3 goals or more (90 minutes) is priced at 13/10 and it's even money for both teams to score (90 mins).
Messi is 7/2 to score the first goal of the game and 17/10 to score any time (90 mins)
Mbappe is 4/1 to score the first goal of the game and 2/1to score any time (90 mins)
To lift the trophy by any method of victory Argentina are 9/10 and France are 17/20
The Verdict:
The tale of the tape suggests this will be very even. Up front Messi and Mbappe both have 5 goals and Alvarez and Giroud both have 4 and how the respective defences handle those 2 leading scorers will go a long way to deciding the contest.
In keeping with 3 of the last 4 finals I'm thinking this goes beyond regulation time and I'm with the draw. I toyed with 1-1 in the correct score market and HT/FT Draw/Draw but have opted to keep it simple.
If I'm correct in the match result market and we go into extra time, gut feel is that Argentina might have the stronger bench and I will nibble at them to snatch it.
Other markets might come onto my radar nearer kick off and any further bets with be added on the Fifa World Cup thread on our discussion forum.
Bets: Regulation time, draw at 2/1 with Sportingbet
Argentina to win in extra time at 11/1 with Sportingbet
Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
More tips, news and views are available on the Fifa World Cup thread on our discussion forum. If you are new to our community you can open an account here.
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