Argentina will be bidding to lift the World Cup trophy for the third time when they take on the reigning champions France in the final of the competition on Sunday afternoon.

The White and Sky Blues last won the competition in 1986, but they have reached the final on two further occasions since then in 1990 and 2014.

Lionel Scaloni's side have beaten Australia, Netherlands and Croatia in the knockout rounds of this year's competition to advance to the final.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how Argentina have reached the final in Qatar, starting with their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Group Stage - Top of Group C

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Argentina's World Cup got off to the worst possible start on November 22, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, who came from behind to record what was a famous victory at Lusail Iconic Stadium.

The South American nation returned to winning ways against Mexico, though, as goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez handed them a 2-0 success over Gerardo Martino's side.

Argentina then beat Poland 2-0 on November 30 courtesy of efforts from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, which saw them claim first position in Group C with six points, two points ahead of Poland.

It was far from a spectacular group stage from Scaloni's side, but they responded impressively to the setback of the Saudi Arabia defeat by recording two strong wins.

Last 16 (2-1 win vs. Australia)

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Australia gained plenty of new fans for their performances in Qatar, and the Socceroos put in a strong display during their last-16 contest with Argentina in Al Rayyan.

Messi sent the South Americans ahead in the 35th minute of the contest before Alvarez made it 2-0 just before the hour, which left Australia in a very difficult position.

An own goal from Fernandez sent up a grandstand finish in the last-16 affair, and Argentina did have to survive a couple of late scares, but they were deserving of a position in the quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals (penalty shootout win vs. Netherlands)

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Argentina's quarter-final with the Netherlands was a very dramatic affair, with the White and Sky Blues ultimately winning on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Scaloni's side led 2-0 on the night courtesy of goals from Nahuel Molina and Messi, but Netherlands answered back in the latter stages through Wout Weghorst, with the striker's second coming in the 11th minute of added time at the end of the 90, which took the contest into extra-time.

Argentina scored four of their five penalties, while the Netherlands netted three, with the two-time world champions advancing to the semi-finals to take on Croatia, who incredibly overcame Brazil.

Semi-finals (3-0 win vs. Croatia)

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Croatia were always going to be up against it in the last-four affair despite gaining huge confidence from their victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Messi scored from the penalty spot in the 34th minute to hand Argentina an advantage, and Alvarez then netted a brace to move the South Americans three goals ahead in Lusail.

Croatia were bidding to reach a second successive World Cup final, but they ultimately came up short against an Argentina side that have improved as the tournament has progressed.

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