World Cup

France and Argentina will meet for a fourth time at a World Cup with the French winning most recently, a 4-3 triumph at Russia 2018. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

By the numbers: Argentina-France in the 2022 World Cup final

4 players apart from Messi and Mbappe who could make the difference in the final

Messi magic displayed in one moment against Croatia

World Cup Final: Three things to watch for as France battles Argentina

AL KHOR, QATAR - DECEMBER 14: Players of France celebrate their victory and players of Morocco get upset at the end of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Semi-Final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Mohammed Dabbous/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in France’s win over Morocco

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Ante Budimir and Ivo Grbic of Croatia at full time of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in Argentina’s win over Croatia

Lionel Messi is now co-leader in goals and assists at the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)

No surprise here: Lionel Messi, Argentina set new World Cup standards

Mexican referee Cesar Ramos has worked three World Cup matches so far and will be in charge of Wednesday's semifinal between France and Morocco. (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Ref Ramos selected to officiate France-Morocco semifinal

Croatia's players take part in a training session ahead of their 2022 World Cup football semi-final match against Argentina.(Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Two things to watch for in Argentina’s semifinal clash with Croatia

Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount disappointed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarterfinal match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. AP | Dutch Height | MAURICE OF STONE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in France’s win over England

Players of Brazil at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium on December 09, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Three things that stood out in Croatia’s win over Brazil

Harry Kane takes part in a training session at the Al Wakrah SC Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha, on December 7, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Two things to watch for in France’s quarterfinal clash with England

Luka Modric (C) and assistant coach Mario Mandzukic take part in a training session at the Al Erssal Training Site 3 in Doha on December 7, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.(Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Three things to watch for in Brazil’s quarterfinal clash with Croatia

DOHA - National coach Louis van Gaal and Jurrien Timber during a training session of the Dutch national team at the Qatar University training complex on December 6, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The Dutch national team is preparing for the quarterfinals against Argentina. ANP KOEN VAN WEEL (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

Three factors to watch for in Argentina’s clash with the Netherlands

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - DECEMBER 06: Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in Morocco’s shootout win over Spain

AL WAKRAH, QATAR - DECEMBER 05: Daizen Maeda of Japan battles with Dejan Lovren of Croatia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium on December 05, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in Croatia’s shootout victory over Japan

Portugal’s Gonçalo Ramos scores his third goal agaist Switzerland to complete the 51st hat trick in World Cup history. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Round of 16 in Qatar: By the Numbers

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 4: Olivier Giroud of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between France and Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Three reasons why France are the favorites to win the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo screams at referee César Ramos during a 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Uruguay. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

World Cup update: Mexico still making presence felt in Qatar

Haji Wright with DeAndre Yedlin at full time of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Defensive mistakes cost the USMNT against Netherlands

Son Heung-Min reacts at full time during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Portugal at Education City Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in South Korea’s stunning win over Portugal

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Luka Modric of Croatia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Two things that stood out in Croatia’s goalless draw with Belgium

Japan players celebrate after winning Group E at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Round of 16 nearly set, with quite a few surprises

Lionel Messi in action during the World Cup 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Fareed Kotb/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Two reasons behind Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland

A Denmark fan reacts prior to kick off in the World Cup 2022 Group D match between Australia and Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Youssef Loulidi/Fantasista/Getty Images,)

Two things that stood out in Australia’s 1-0 win over Denmark

El Tri crashed out of the World Cup earlier than expected and things have gone downhill from there. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

Suddenly resurgent, El Tri still comes up one goal short

Denmark's Christian Eriksen (left) reacts after Australia won 1-0 to knock the Danes out of the 2022 World Cup.(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Group D: Wild ending sees Australia through to knockout round

Mexico players appear to be in a light-hearted mood during a Tuesday training session. They'd better be all business today against Saudi Arabia. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

Punchless Mexico running out of time in Qatar