Dembélé and Kounde march on to the World Cup final

The French national team, featuring Ousmane Dembélé and Jules Kounde, have defeated surprise package Morocco by 2-0 in the second WC semi-final in Qatar. Both Barça players started the game and Kounde saved a goal on the line in the final minutes as Morocco pushed to get back into the game.

This means the current world champions will have the chance to retain their title on Sunday 18 December, kick off 4pm CET.

Two key players for Deschamps

Barça started the World Cup with 17 players in Qatar and only two are left to compete for the biggest prize in international football. These are Dembélé and Kounde, who have both proved key players for Didier Deschamps throughout the competition. 

Dembélé has played every World Cup match, providing two assists and playing a very important role in the French attack. The only game the winger didn't start was in the group stage against Tunisia when France were already through. Dembélé has played 393 minutes.

Kounde has gradually grown into the tournament. He started the World Cup on the bench and is now the French side's starting right back. Kounde has played 362 minutes.

The big final against Messi's Argentina

Sunday 18 December is the date for the 2022 World Cup final at the Musial stadium in Qatar. It will be Argentina v France, the first time they have met in a World Cup final.

Should the Argentinians win, it will be their first title since 1986 and the third in their history. They reached the 2014 final in Brazil, losing to a late Götze goal in the final minutes of extra time against Germany. The game will be particularly significant for Messi as he aims to add the only title missing from his outstanding collection.

This will be France's second consecutive final. After winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Deschamps' side will be looking to retain the title, which hasn't happened since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962. This would also be the third World Cup title for France, having won their first on home soil in 1998.