Argentina and Lionel Messi are 45 minutes away from World Cup final glory, as they lead France 2-0 at the break after a sensational first-half display. Les Blues made a terrible start and it was no surprise therefore when they fell behind as Angel Di Maria skipped past Ousmane Dembele and was brought down in the box. Messi strolled up and rolled the penalty into the bottom corner, as Hugo Lloris went the wrong way.
The lead was doubled ten minutes before the break, a stunning team move cutting France open. Mac Allister was set away down the right and he squared to perfectly for Di Maria, who provided the calm finish. Didier Deschamps made two first-half changes in response, neither Dembele or Ousmane Dembele making it to half-time as the France boss reacted to a woeful showing from his side.
Follow the World Cup 2022 final LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick, Nizaar Kinsella and Simon Collings at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
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75 mins: Mbappe tries to drive into space, the door is slammed shut by Romero though.
Deschamps is getting increasingly annoyed on the touchline, not much to cheer him up on the pitch.
72 mins: Messi with a typically jinking run, played inside to Fernandez and he curls an effort straight at Lloris.
Still fairly cautious from France, despite their somewhat better moments. Blue shirts not exactly flooding forward.
71 mins: France have woken up here, it’s taken long enough but it’s much better.
Mbappe drifts inside, onto his right foot and it’s a decent chance from the edge of the area. Blasted over the bar though.
Hernandez and Griezmann brought off, Camavinga and Coman on.
68 mins: There is a shot! At last.
Kolo Muani should do better too, corner swung in and it’s pretty much a free header. Gets it all wrong though.
Simon Collings at Lusail Stadium
Di Maria off after what has been a dream final for him. Redemption after he could not play in the final eight years ago.
67 mins: Kolo Muani tries to get the better of Tagliafico, not happening though.
We’re midway through the second-half, and France are yet to have a shot. Not one shot. Of any kind. Madness.
64 mins: Nearly brilliant again, Alvarez nearly opens France up again.
Mac Allister looked to be in on goal, Upamecano gave him a bit of a shove to knock him off course. Just about gets away with that.
Di Maria is off, Acuna on. What a display.
61 mins: Another lovely Argentina move, Di Maria has been so, so impressive.
His cut back falls for Messi at the back post, Rabiot does well to quickly get across and close him down before the shot comes in.
No sign at all of a French comeback.
59 mins: Mbappe now kicks out at De Paul, frustration starting to get the better of France.
Alvarez is away for Argentina and gets the shot away from a tight angle, Lloris down to save that comfortably enough.
Simon Collings at Lusail Stadium
Teams have shown at this World Cup that this France team has weaknesses – mainly out wide – but no-one has exposed them like Argentina.
Incredible performance so far.
