Argentina and France go head to head for the biggest prize in football on Sunday when they face off in the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
A mouth-watering tussle between two international heavyweights is complete with sub-plots galore - not least the battle of the talismans as Lionel Messi looks to finally get his hands on the trophy in his last dance, while his Paris Saint-Germain teammate and heir apparent Kylian Mbappe looks to add a second winners' medal to his collection at the age of just 23.
Argentina themselves have not been crowned world champions since 1986 but were in the final as recently as 2014, whereas France are looking to become the first team to successfully retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will win the World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Barney Corkhill, Editor - Argentina
My head may be saying France, but my heart is saying Argentina - purely for Lionel Messi to finally get his hands on the ultimate prize, which his career merits.
The 35-year-old's place as the greatest of all time is already secured for me, regardless of what happens on Sunday, but there are plenty out there who feel that his GOAT status may all come down to one game this weekend, rather than the more-than 1,000 which have preceded it.
In truth, I believe Kylian Mbappe at his very best right now can be even more devastating than Messi, simply because of his electric pace, which can be impossible to defend against.
France also have more attacking weapons than Argentina, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud among those who can be game-changers and match-winners.
However, Messi has dragged Argentina through this tournament - with help from Julian Alvarez and others - and I cannot bet against one final flourish from the genius on the biggest stage; he is a big-game player, and I will be hoping that his World Cup career comes to a fitting end this weekend.
France's defence has not looked particularly sturdy in recent games, and they were arguably second best for much of their games against both England and Morocco - Argentina are unlikely to be so wasteful with chances.
Both have players in their squad with World Cup final experience - albeit of contrasting success - and I feel with their incredible support behind them, Argentina will get the job done.
Matt Law, Football Editor - France
It has not always been the case down the years, but this is a 50/50 final for me. Neither side is an underdog, but there is also not a clear favourite, which adds to the intrigue.
It might be a battle between two Paris Saint-Germain teammates in the shape of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, but Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud have also been brilliant at the tournament, finding the back of the net four times each.
France's preparations have been hit by the outbreak of a virus and some injury problems, but it appears that Didier Deschamps will have a full squad for this match, with the likes of Raphael Varane and Aurelien Tchouameni able to train on Saturday.
I would not be surprised to see Argentina win on Sunday, and it might well be Messi's moment. This France team has a brilliant habit of grinding out victories when they are not at their best, though, and I just have a feeling that the Blues will emerge victorious to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups.
Darren Plant, Senior Reporter - France
On paper, this is a 50-50 match, and nothing I say is going to lead anyone into thinking any different. Despite the quality on show, a part of me feels that it is going to descend into a game of cat and mouse, brief explosions of action after periods of toying with each other.
Both teams will be happy to play like that. Argentina will be happiest in possession and getting Lionel Messi involved without their star man having to become embroiled in work without the ball, while France will want to get the most out of Kylian Mbappe with sharp attacks on the break.
What will the end result be? Who knows, but the best bet is a cagey 90 minutes with moments of brilliance mixed in with tenacious tackling from both sides. Extra time and penalties are a possibility, one which France may edge due to the extra pressure which is on Argentina's shoulders.
Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Argentina
While France arguably have the stronger squad on paper, even with the plethora of injured and ill absentees, Argentina possess the best player in Lionel Messi who will be desperate to bow out on a high in his final World Cup match.
Argentina have gone from strength to strength since their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, improving at both ends of the pitch, while their No.10 continues to turn up when it matters in the final third, contributing to eight of their 12 goals in Qatar.
La Albiceleste struggled to cope against two Dutch target men in the last 16 and they may find it challenging to defend against France striker Olivier Giroud, while the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are sure to have their say for the current world champions.
However, the sheer desire of the entire Argentina team to win the World Cup for Messi is clear. It is their mission to crown the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner with the biggest prize in football that has eluded the 35-year-old throughout his legendary career. I can see Argentina just edging this intriguing contest to give Messi the send-off he deserves.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter - France
There are arguments to be made for both France and Argentina to capture Sunday's World Cup final with storylines and potential plot twists abound heading into the big game. From Messi winning his first World Cup, to France becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 and Didier Deschamps with a chance to be the first manager since Italy's Vittorio Pozzo to win back-to-back World Cups.
I believe the French backline will face more quality in the attacking third than in any match at this tournament on Sunday though I don't think they will be put on their heels quite as much because Argentina simply do not have anyone who is effective at pressing.
Messi will be the man to watch out for of course as Argentina will be the sentimental favourites heading into the last World Cup match for the PSG striker. I think Argentina will need more than Messi to beat Les Bleus this weekend.
The flu bug hitting the French squad comes at an inopportune moment and could force a shift in tactics for Deschamps on Sunday, however they have dealt with significant losses throughout the competition and found a way to get the job done. There is no reason for me to believe that will change on Sunday.
Even without Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and others the French always seem to do enough to get by. Both sides have quality and experience but for me France has more depth and their front players pose bigger threats with the speed, dribbling and touches of Mbappe, perhaps the best playmaker at the tournament in Antoine Griezmann and the power of Olivier Giroud.
For me the French have a little more versatility in their game than the Argentines, combine that with their depth and experience in matches of this calibre and I expect a narrow 1-0 triumph for Les Bleus.
Joshua Ojele, Reporter - Argentina
France have been deadly at the attacking end of the pitch, particularly when on the counter, thanks to their lightning pace on both flanks. However, Lionel Scaloni has proven to know his onions tactically and the 44-year-old should set up Argentina to deal with Les Bleus' tricky wing play.
With an in-form and unstoppable Lionel Messi leading their line, the South American champions stand a chance against virtually anyone and I predict the little magician will lead La Albiceleste to their third World Cup title.
Marvelous Adepoju, Reporter - France
Didier Deschamps's men have a knack of getting the job done without necessarily playing well and that could come to the fore in a game where the defending world champions are expected to get behind the ball and look to play on the counter with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Andrew Delaney, Reporter - Argentina
While pragmatic approaches have proved very successful for a number of sides at this World Cup, Argentina have often found a way of beating sides looking to restrict them offensively, namely Holland and Croatia, with speed and efficiency.
France have played with a similar pragmatic style and were rather fortunate that England and Morocco did not take their chances against them in the previous two rounds, but the likes of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez will not be as wasteful.
Dominic Lund, Reporter - France
Argentina will give it all their all to win their first World Cup since 1986, but they are too reliant on one player, Messi, while France have a better all-round team.
Not only that, but France were in this position before in 2018, and have the experience of getting the job done in a huge match.
Carter White, Reporter - France
After a tournament full of surprises and lower-ranked teams upsetting the odds, a heavyweight clash between Argentina and France seems the perfect way to conclude a unique World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni's side began this tournament as one of the favourites, but after a limp showing against Saudi Arabia, football fans were left wondering how exactly Argentina had gone 36 games unbeaten previous to that awful showing in their opening match.
Since then, Lionel Messi has taken centre stage in Qatar but has importantly been supported by exceptional performances from the likes of Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez, meaning the South Americans have more than just their magical number 10 to rely on at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
France have been blighted by injuries as well as illness before and during this tournament, but have remained a frightening opponent as they look to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
Plans to nullify the threat of Kylian Mbappe have left room for other shining lights such as Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud to decide knockout matches, with Les Bleus possessing a know-how in the crucial moments that I believe makes them unique in international football at this time.
For that reason - as much as myself and the majority of the world will be hoping for a fairytale ending to this World Cup for Messi - I am backing France to make it successive triumphs on football's biggest stage, although I expect Sunday's final to be a close affair which could go all the way to penalties.
George Priestman, Reporter - Argentina
Firstly, we are being treated to a brilliant final between two very strong teams, lead by two stars jostling to be called the best player in the world. It seems almost written in the stars that Lionel Messi will finally triumph at the World Cup, but France will be their toughest test and they also possess Antoine Griezmann, a player who's been arguably the best player at the tournament.
However, I believe Argentina's stubbornness and desire to fight for the title, as well as for Messi, coupled with their potent strikeforce could see them outwork France in what should be a tight final that will end with Messi's crowning moment.
Joe Simon, Reporter - France
Success in tournament football so often relies on a team being difficult to break down, as well as having multiple avenues to goal. France have both of these aspects in spades.
If it is not the magic of Mbappe that will get you, it will be the speed of Dembele, the class of Griezmann or the wiliness of Giroud.
Behind the ball, Deschamps has set up his France side to perfectly cover his attacking talent, and Argentina will be lost for answers. France 2-0.
Read more on Argentina vs France
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- World Cup leading goalscorers of all time: Lionel Messi eyes Pele mark in final
- World Cup clean sweep: Messi, Mbappe vying to join exclusive club
- A look at Argentina's route to the 2022 World Cup final
- A look at France's route to the 2022 World Cup final
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