Argentina near full-strength for World Cup final against France

At a training session in the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday (December 15), the Argentine squad was missing a few of its players, including star forward Lionel Messi. No word was immediately available to explain their absence but starters in previous games are often given rest days to help recuperate their energy.
 

Former Argentina international Sergio Aguero, who abruptly retired exactly one year ago due to a heart condition, visited the team and watched the training session from the sidelines.

Defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna missed the semi-final as they were suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.

Left back Acuna was the biggest loss for Argentina in that game as he has been a critical part of coach Lionel Scaloni's set-up during the tournament, playing in all of their previous five games and starting four times.

In their quarter-final against the Netherlands, he was arguably one of Argentina's best players, winning nine of his 13 duels, completing 100% of his dribbles and earning the penalty from which Lionel Messi scored their second goal.

He could be critical if Argentina are to control that side of the pitch, where France have Ousmane Dembele in great form.

Montiel has been a squad player but he was also vital in their win over the Dutch, converting in the penalty shootout, which Argentina won 4-3.

The third piece of the puzzle that could be key to Argentina's success against France is midfielder Di Maria, who was left on the bench for the whole of the semi-final against Croatia as Argentina cruised home having taken a first-half lead.

Di Maria, who has been recovering from a thigh injury suffered against Poland in the group stage, has played only nine minutes in Argentina's last three matches. Yet he is expected to be fit and ready to go in Sunday's final.

The 34-year-old was Argentina's hero in last year's Copa America final against bitter rivals Brazil, scoring the goal that earned them their first major title in 28 years.

He and Messi are the only two Argentina players who were also in the squad that lost the 2014 World Cup final against Germany in Brazil.

Di Maria, who missed that match more than eight years ago due to injury, will get a second chance to get his hands on the most sought-after prize in world football and should be fresh for the final as Argentina go in search of a third World Cup title.