World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Final

Dec 18, 2022 at 3pm UK

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Argentina
3 - 3
France

Messi (23' pen., 108'), di Maria (36')
Fernandez (45+7'), Acuna (90+8'), Paredes (114'), Montiel (116'), Martinez (126')

FT
(aet)

Mbappe (80' pen., 81', 118' pen.)
Rabiot (55'), Thuram (87'), Giroud (90+5')

Argentina win 4-2 on penalties

France 'handed fitness boosts ahead of World Cup final'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 December 2022

Ibrahima Konate and Raphael Varane will train alongside their France teammates on Saturday after recovering from illness, according to a report.

Central defenders Ibrahima Konate and Raphael Varane are reportedly set to train alongside their France teammates on Saturday after recovering from illness.

The duo had emerged as huge doubts for the World Cup final when it was revealed that they were suffering from a virus that has been causing problems in the France camp in recent days.

Both players were kept away from training on Thursday and Friday, instead staying in their hotel rooms, but according to L'Equipe, the pair have now joined back up with the squad.

The report claims that Konate and Varane are both in line to train alongside their teammates on Saturday and should therefore be cleared for the final with Argentina.

However, Kingsley Coman remains in his room, with the attacker still showing symptoms.

Ibrahima Konate in action for France on December 14, 2022 © Reuters

Konate was introduced into the starting lineup against Morocco on Wednesday, with Dayot Upamecano ruled out of the last-four contest through illness, while Adrien Rabiot was also absent for the same reason.

According to RMC Sport, coaching staff and the squad are wearing masks around the players impacted by the virus, as the Blues do not want to take any risks ahead of the clash with Argentina.

Upamecano and Rabiot are both being tipped to return on Sunday, while Konate and Varane should also be cleared to feature.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez also trained away from their teammates on Friday due to hip and knee injuries; the former is expected to be available, but the latter is said to be a doubt at this stage.

France coach Didier Deschamps on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

France boss Didier Deschamps has said that the national side are attempting to "manage" the sickness bug "as best as we can".

"We are trying to manage this as best as we can and remain calm and focused," Deschamps commented when asked about the current situation.

"We are doing our best to take precautions and adapt and live with it without going too far but doing what is necessary. We would have preferred not to face this but are managing it as best as we can."

There had been suggestions that Karim Benzema could be back in the squad against Argentina, but Deschamps has now officially ruled out a return for the Real Madrid centre-forward.

France will be looking to become just the third side in history to win back-to-back World Cups when they take to the field on Sunday.