Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has been included in France's starting line-up for their World Cup final showdown with Argentina in Qatar this afternoon - but there is no place for Lisandro Martinez in Argentina's starting XI.
Varane, who has been excellent for United so far this season, has been included in Didier Deschamps' plans from the start for the showpiece event at the Lusail Stadium, despite having been a doubt because of illness over the last few days. The centre-back was one of a handful of players to contract a flu-like illness, putting him at risk of missing out.
The former Real Madrid man has played a key role in helping France move to within one game of retaining their world crown, starting five of their six games so far in Qatar. He sat out the opening group game against Australia due to not being fully fit.
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Varane started the 2-1 win over England at the quarter-final stage and partnered Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate in the heart of the defence for the 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco on Wednesday evening. France have only lost two of the 17 World Cup matches Varane has featured in during his career.
However, Varane's centre-back partner at United, Martinez, has not been included in Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni's plans from the start. He has been named among the substitutes, with Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi preferred in the heart of the defence.
The 24-year-old, who has been a revelation since joining United from Ajax during the summer, has not played as influential a part in Argentina's run to their second World Cup final in the last three tournaments, starting just two of their opening six games in Qatar.
He started the enthralling quarter-final win over the Netherlands just over a week ago but was named on the bench for the 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia on Tuesday. His other start came in the 2-0 win over Mexico in Argentina's second group game.
Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at how United's fans have reacted to the mixed emotions Varane and Martinez will be currently experiencing, while blasting Argentina's decision to bench the latter:
France starting line-up: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe.
Argentina starting line-up: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez.
Kick-off at the Lusail Stadium is 3pm GMT.
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