Most in the stands and many around the planet are hoping Argentina win, France has been slotted into a spoiler role.
“I know that Argentinians; Messi, the people, maybe some French people too, would like to see him win,” said France head coach Didier Deschamps said Saturday. “But we don’t really agree with that, so we are going to do everything we can to get what we want.
No other country has won back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Yet unlike those Brazilian teams, few outside of its own country want France to win. The spotlight, the pressure and the expectations are all on Argentina, and heading into the game it feels like a coronation for a player who has been at the top for nearly two decades.
“I believe when you are French, playing a World Cup final, regardless of the opposition, it is always a big event,” Lloris said. “But to be facing Argentina at this point in the competition makes it even bigger. We hope this game will go down in the records of French soccer. Just getting to the final again was a huge accomplishment for France. The last team to win the tournament and then get to the final the following tournament was Brazil in 1998, who lost to France in the final.Prior to France winning in 2018, the previous three winners, Germany, Spain and Italy, failed to get out of its group the following tournament. Italy has not even qualified for the last two World Cup tournaments.
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