Argentina squad for World Cup final 2022

The World Cup final marks the beginning of an era's end. Lionel Me si will play his last ever match on football's biggest stage on Sunday.All that remains to be seen is whether he will bow out as world champion or fade into retirement without ever winning the game's top prize.Argentina have named their starting lineup as they face France in their third World Cup final since last winning the tournament in 1986, making a late change to their team because of an injury to defender Marcos Acuna.La Albiceleste made a dreadful start to Qatar 2022 with defeat to Saudi Arabia but have been dynamite since, with a blend of veteran stars and exciting young talents driving them to the final.The Sporting Newslooks at how Argentina have lined up in the World Cup so far, their key players and how they are approaching the final.MORE: | Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has tinkered consistently throughout the tournament, rolling out a different formation for each match.The South Americans lost to Saudi Arabia in a 4- Larry Ogunjobi Jersey 4-2 formation, with Angel Di Maria and Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez providing the width, Me si and Lautaro Martinez starting up top.Inter Milan striker Martinez has been one of Argentina's biggest disappointments in Qatar and Scaloni has gradually phased him out of the starting XI, with Julian Alvarez taking his starting spot. Getty Images They switched to a 4-3-2-1 for their win over Mexico, with Gomez replaced by Guido Rodriguez and Me si dropping back to the attacking midfielder spot, whilst Marcos Acuna and Alexis Mac Allister replaced Nicolas Tagliafico and Leandro Paredes.There was another change in the final group game match against Poland. Enzo Fernandez was drafted into the side after his substitute goal in the previous match, and Alvarez started in place of misfiring Martinez partnering Di Maria up Chad Thomas Jersey front.An injury to Di Maria caused the only change for the Round of 16 clash against Australia, with Papu Gomez replacing him. Argentina switched to a back five during the match, when Lisandro Martinez replaced Gomez and dropped into the defence.Despite a late push from Australia, coach Scaloni liked what he saw, as he maintained that 3-5-2 shape for the quarterfinal.It worked very well for the most part against the Netherlands and their dangerous fullbacks; with Acuna and Nahuel Molina posted high up the pitch to pin back the flying Dutch wingbacks and offer support on the overlap. Scaloni's plan was in action for the opening goal, as Molina latched onto Me si's magical a sist.Argentina managed to cruise through their semifinal without Acuna and they will hope to be unaffected again in his absence against France.MORE: Lionel Me siArgentina's captain, inspiration and most deadly weapon, this World Cup final is all about one man: Lionel Me si.This is his moment. It's now or never for the PSG forward, who has vowed to never play another World Cup after this, his fifth attempt.Me si has been devastatingly effective all tournament. Five goals have drawn him level with Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, making the final a straight shoot-out between veteran icon and presumed succe sor.A mesmerising a sist and cooly finished penalty helped Argentina beat Croatia in the semifinal. France clumsily gave away two penalties against England and got away with it, but surely Me si won't make the same mistake.by far the best video ive ever taken Connor Kalopsis (@ConnorKalopsis) Although the 35-year-old mi sed his penalty against Poland, he's kept his cool to score four spot-kicks in Qatar.If France lose their focus Sione Takitaki Jersey or afford Me si an inch too much space, he'll be ready to pounce. It's the biggest game of his career since the 2014 World Cup final.Alexis MacAllisterMe si can't do it alone and Alexis MacAllister has been one of the players to make a huge step up at this tournament.The midfielder has impre sed in the Premier League for Brighton and brought his form to Qatar, functioning as a hard-running support for Me si, Alvarez and Co in attack.The midfield battle will be crucial on Sunday, when MacAllister will be relied upon to help close down the likes of Antoine Griezmann to stop them putting Mbappe into dangerous positions. Enzo FernandezA Olivier Vernon Jersey true World Cup revelation, Enzo Fernandez has shown the world he is destined for the top. The 21-year-old is and it's clear to see why.Fernandez had made just five appearances for his national team before the World Cup but came off the bench in the first two games. He scored a magnificent goal against Mexico, a sisted by Me si, that convinced Scaloni to start the midfielder against Poland.El golazo de Enzo Fernndez para el 2-0 de Argentina sobre Mxico.Golazo grabado por mi hijo David, que estudi seis aos cine. Cesar Augusto Londoo (@cesaralo) An a sist vindicated that decision, and Fernandez has been a constant in the side ever since.Although he mi sed a penalty in the quarterfinal shoot-out, Fernandez's dynamism, quality going forward and energy in the pre s has revitalised a misfiring Argentinian midfield.He is among the players who could be the difference-makers against France.MORE:Emi MartinezGoalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been worth his weight in gold for Argentina, though his antics have split opinion in Qatar. Getty Images Australia put the Argentinian back-line under pre sure with a late goal in their last-16 clash, but was there to smother it: pulling off a miraculous stop from Garang Kuol in the final seconds to keep his team ahead.Martinez has procured a reputation as a shoot-out specialist, proving himself once again versus the Netherlands. He used every trick in the book to distract and disrupt the Dutch players... and it worked. Two crucial saves to helped Argentina win 4-3 on penalties.The Aston Villa stopper kept a clean sheet against Croatia in the semifinal and he'll be need in top Trevon Coley Jersey form against France, with finishers like Olivier Giroud lurking in the box.MORE: (4-3-3, right to left):23. E. Martinez (GK) 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister 11. Di Maria, 10. Me si, 9. AlvarezLeft-back Nicolas Tagliafico was a late replacement for the injured Marcos Acuna, while Angel Di Maria started on the right for an Argentina side otherwise at full strength except forPapu Gomez, who is injured.Scaloni looks to have chosen a 4-3-3 formation, with Julian Alvarez only one goal behind Me si's total of five in the tournament before the final. Once inicial confirmado! As formar para el encuentro ante Se viene la final! Seleccin Argentina (@Argentina) Argentina are out for revenge in this World Cup final. Their most recent clash with Les Blues saw them dumped out of the 2018 competition after an absolute thriller in Ru sia.Kylian Mbappe gave