France has been infected with a virus that could cause the team’s starting center-back duo, Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate, to miss the World Cup final, as per reports.
Raphael Varane reportedly has mild symptoms of flu, and fellow defender Ibrahima Konate has reportedly fallen ill with flu-like symptoms.
After Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot missed the semifinal victory over Morocco due to illness, France’s coach Didier Deschamps stated that efforts were being taken to prevent a virus from spreading throughout the team.
“In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time,” Deschamps confirmed after Morocco win.
“We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread, and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.”
Rabiot and Upamecano have reportedly recovered, according to sources who spoke to ESPN, and Deschamps said they would play against Argentina on Sunday.
“Dayot will be fit. Since Saturday he wasn’t well for three days … had a fever, and that had an impact on his strength,” he said.
“Given the tough match we had, I decided not to play him and play Konate instead as he’s shown he’s good enough to play at this level.
“Rabiot was sick, was better this afternoon but not well enough, so he stayed in the hotel. We have four days to rest, so he should be better and available for Sunday.”
This is France’s most recent blow after key players including Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, and Christopher Nkunku were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injuries.
Ousmane Dembele stated at a news conference on Friday that the team was not concerned about the infection spreading to other players.
“We’re not scared of that virus,” he said. “Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache; I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
“Dayot got better, and I think everyone will be ready. We’ve been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food, and he was back with everyone the next day.”
Since Brazil in 1962, Les Bleus are attempting to become the first group to successfully defend the World Cup crown.
World Cup Final
France and Argentina will clash in the World Cup final on Sunday for the 13th time in men’s international soccer.
In their previous 12 encounters, Les Blues had only prevailed three times while Argentina had done so six times.
Many people will view Sunday’s encounter as a duel between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
The last time France faced Argentina in a World Cup match, both players starred.
Four years ago, France defeated Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Russia thanks to two goals from Mbappe and two assists from Messi.
The last time Argentina defeated France was in 2009, a year in which Messi scored.
Head To Head
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wins | 3 |
| 3 | Draws | 3 |
| 15 | Goals Scored | 11 |
Results Between Argentina And France
| Year | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | France 0-1 Argentina | World Cup |
| 1965 | France 0-0 Argentina | Friendly |
| 1971 | Argentina 3-4 France | Friendly |
| 1971 | Argentina 2-0 France | Friendly |
| 1972 | Argentina 0-0 France | Brazil Independence Cup |
| 1974 | France 0-1 Argentina | Friendly |
| 1977 | Argentina 0-0 France | Friendly |
| 1978 | Argentina 2-1 France | World Cup |
| 1986 | France 2-0 Argentina | Friendly |
| 2007 | France 0-1 Argentina | Friendly |
| 2009 | France 0-2 Argentina | Friendly |
| 2018 | France 4-3 Argentina | World Cup |
The 2022 World Cup final has been scheduled, and it’s going to be a doozy. On December 18 at 10 a.m. ET, Lionel Messi and Argentina will take on Kylian Mbappe and the reigning champions Les Blues.
Will Messi achieve the same accomplishment as Diego Maradona, a legend of Argentina, while securing his place as the GOAT? Or will Mbappe and company become the first champions to win back-to-back titles since Brazil and Pele 60 years ago?
We can’t wait for this Sunday’s match at the Lusail Iconic Stadium outside of Doha, no matter how it plays out.
