A World Cup final is normally a closely-contested game with neither side participating wanting to commit any errors in the first half, however France vs Argentina did not follow that format. Goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria after just 36 minutes put Argentina firmly in command against France at Lusali Stadium.
Ousmane Dembele felled Di Maria inside the penalty area with Messi calmly converting the spot-kick before Alexis Mac Allister's perfectly-weighted pass was finished by Di Maria. The Juventus forward had not started any of his nation's knockout games but was chosen to play in the front three with Messi and Julian Alvarez.
France had their own selection issues with Raphael Varane, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano all doubts with the latter two missing the semi-final win over Morocco but all three started the final.
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Olivier Giroud was also a doubt and following France's turgid start, Didier Deschamps was not keen to wait until half time to make a huge decision.
In the 41st minute, the fourth official approached the pitch with the substitutions board and held up the numbers of Dembele and Giroud with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani coming on to replace them.
Giroud had a knee issue that saw him miss some of France training in the build-up to the fixture which could certainly explain his early withdrawal. Dembele, on the other hand, endured a difficult start to the game with Di Maria causing a number of problems on the French right-hand side.
The Barcelona star did not seem to have any injury issues with Deschamps' decision likely tactical. The double change meant Mbappe was pushed into a central role with Thuram on the left and Kolo Muani on the right.
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