CHRIS SUTTON: The three key clashes that could decide the World Cup final

The World Cup final could likely be decided by the various mouthwatering match-ups all over the pitch. 

A lot has been written and said about Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi and their respective threats, and it will be down to Argentina and France, respectively, to keep those two main players quiet. 

These are the three match-ups that could decide Sunday’s World Cup final. 

Griezmann v. Fernandez 

Watching Antoine Griezmann against Morocco, if you didn’t know he was one of football’s best forwards of the last decade, you would have thought he was one of the best midfielders. His defensive work was seriously impressive in that semi-final win. But Griezmann is lethal with the ball, too, and this will be the ultimate test of the defensive instincts of Argentina’s young breakout star Enzo Fernandez. It’s a midfield battle I can’t wait to watch unfold.

The midfield battle between Antoine Griezmann and breakout star Enzo Fernandez will be key

Fernandez has been one of the emerging stars of this World Cup – with the Benfica midfielder touted for a big summer move

Mbappe v. Molina 

There was so much talk of Kylian Mbappe versus Kyle Walker and England’s right back handled him well in the one-v-ones. Now it’s the turn of Argentina’s right back, Nahuel Molina. 

Molina will want to tie down French roadrunner Mbappe but he also likes to fly forward himself to add to Argentina’s attacks. Morocco posed France problems down this wing using Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech. Mbappe wasn’t tracking back because, well, he’s Mbappe. But that makes this match-up with Molina so intriguing.

Kylian Mbappe will look to get the better of Nahuel Molina and add to his tally of five goals

Molina will be looking to take a page out of Kyle Walker’s book in keeping the Frenchman quiet

Tchouameni v. Messi 

Aurelien Tchouameni will be operating in the deep-lying midfield role for France, most likely alongside Adrien Rabiot.

That is going to be a key area of this World Cup final when Lionel Messi drifts into that space, as he has been doing at this tournament to excellent effect. Messi can be quiet at the start of fixtures when it’s ferocious. But once the game settles down, and small gaps start to appear, that’s when you see him pop up in them and cause carnage. Tchouameni and Co have a big job to do.

Tchouameni will have to be wary of where Messi looks to pick up space in his midfield area

Messi has been quietly effectual in games – going about his business before striking with a killer blow