PreviewIbrahima Konate aiming for World Cup final success with France

The Liverpool defender and his nation meet Argentina in the deciding match of the 2022 edition of the tournament, with Les Bleus aiming to achieve back-to-back triumphs after lifting the trophy four years ago.

Konate has made a significant contribution to Didier Deschamps’ side’s run back to the showpiece, appearing on four occasions at the World Cup so far.

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He started the group-stage contests with Australia and Tunisia, and was used as a second-half substitute in the win over Denmark in between.

The 23-year-old watched from the bench as France defeated Poland and then England in the knockout stages, but was called upon again for Wednesday’s last-four tie versus Morocco and delivered a highly-praised performance in a 2-0 victory.

Konate played the whole of the semi-final and helped register a clean sheet that ensured the goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani sent the holders through.

It has been a whirlwind spell for the Reds No.5, who earned a spot in France’s World Cup squad just weeks after returning to club duty following a two-month injury.

Indeed, the Parisian’s first senior international appearance arrived in June of this year, Konate having enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at Anfield in 2021-22.

Now the centre-back will hope for an opportunity to feature as his country try to become the first since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to successfully defend the trophy.

Standing in their way for Sunday’s 3pm GMT kick-off will be Lionel Messi and Argentina, who advanced to the last hurdle by defeating Croatia 3-0.

The South Americans have recovered from defeat by Saudi Arabia in their opening group-phase game to reach a second final in three attempts.

Runners-up in 2014, Lionel Scaloni’s team will look to go one better having eliminated Australia, the Netherlands and then Croatia en route to meeting France.