France will now face Argentina in the final of Qatar 2022 looking to defend their World Cup title from Russia 2018. So, what is Les Bleus’ head-to-head record against La Albiceleste?
Well, Sunday’s match at the Lusail Iconic Stadium will be the 13th fixture between the two nations across all competitions. France also won their last meeting with Argentina en route to the 2018 World Cup final. But a Bleus result has proven to be rare over their encounters.
Argentina hold the superior head-to-head record to France since they first met back at the inaugural World Cup in 1930. The global stage has been the scene for three of their past 12 fixtures with another tie at Argentina 1978. They have also disputed eight friendlies so far.
What is the head-to-head record between France vs Argentina?
France took just the third win in their head-to-head record with Argentina with a 4-3 result at the 2018 World Cup. Les Bleus eliminated La Albiceleste in the Round of 16 in Russia en route to lifting their second crown to date. Argentina have also won the World Cup twice.
The South Americans, likewise, beat their European opposition en route to winning a FIFA title back in 1978. Argentina hosted the 11th edition of the World Cup and would end the tournament as the champions. They beat Les Bleus during the opening group stage round.
The 1978 and 2018 World Cups marked the second and third tournaments to feature a tie between Argentina and France. They also met during Group 1 at the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Luis Monti struck the only goal on 81 minutes for Argentina to win 1-0.
Monti’s moment in Montevideo returned the first of Argentina’s six wins in their head-to-head record with France. The two nations have also drawn 0-0 in three matches, including friendlies in 1965 and 1977. They also drew 0-0 during the 1972 Brazil Independence Cup.
So, Argentina go into Sunday’s World Cup final at Qatar 2022 with a head-to-head record of six wins over France. Les Bleus, on the other hand, have won 25% of their meetings with La Albiceleste and drawn 25%. France have never beaten Argentina in successive meetings.
France have never won successive ties vs Argentina in their head-to-head record
Didier Deschamps will hope history does not repeat itself as the France boss bids to guide Les Bleus to successive World Cup titles. The 1998 and 2018 champions have never beaten Argentina in back-to-back meetings. Their only wins came during 1971, 1986 and in 2018.
Only their win at Russia 2018 also came during a competitive meeting with their previous results coming in friendlies. Argentina, meanwhile, have won twice at the World Cup and in four friendlies. The 1972 Brazil Independence Cup returned their only competitive draw yet.
Also, France’s 4-3 win over Argentina in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia is the last time that the two nations have met before the Qatar 2022 final. A Kylian Mbappe brace secured Deschamps’ squad a 4-2 lead and the win before Sergio Aguero’s late reply.
What is the Brazil Independence Cup?
The Brazil Independence Cup, also known as Minicopa, was a tournament Brazil held back in 1972 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of its declaration of independence. Brazil also beat Portugal in the final of the tournament, which featured 20 teams and 15 stadia.
Argentina finished fourth after advancing from Group A in the first round at the expense of France. Les Bleus had to beat La Albiceleste in their final fixture to go through as they held an inferior goal difference. But the Estadio Fonte Nova in Salvador witnessed a goalless tie.
Argentina beat France en route to winning the 1978 World Cup
The 1970s alone featured six of the 12 encounters in Argentina and France’s head-to-head record before the 2022 World Cup final. They had only met twice, in 1930 and 1965, before the ‘70s. They have also only met since in 1986, 2007, 2009 and 2018 ahead of Qatar 2022.
France also took their first win over Argentina in the first of their six meetings in the 1970s in a friendly in 1971. While La Albiceleste won the last of those six matches en route to the 1978 World Cup title. It capped their most dominant spell with a five-match unbeaten run.
FIFA scheduled the 1978 edition to include two group stages that determined who reached the final and third-place play-off. Argentina finished second to Italy in Group 1 after losing 1-0 to the Azzurri following 2-1 wins over Hungary and France at the Estadio Monumental.
Argentina later returned to the ground in Buenos Aires in the final with the Netherlands and won 3-1 after extra time. La Albiceleste would top Group B against Brazil, Poland and Peru to reach the final. France, on the other hand, returned home after finishing Group 1 in third.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
