Argentina vs France, head-to-head record: La Albiceleste have an edge over Les Bleus

The Argentina national football team and the France national football team are among the major powerhouses in the world of football.

The sporting rivalry between the two nations heads back to the 1930 World Cup when they locked horns for the first time.

Since then, Argentina and France have clashed in 13 matches across all competitions, with Argentina having an upper hand in the head-to-head record.

Argentina vs France head-to-head in all competitions 

As far as competitive football is concerned, Argentina and France have faced off in four World Cup fixtures so far, one each in 1930, 1978, 2018 and 2022.

The two sides took the centre stage at the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, which Lionel Messi’s Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out, helping the superstar bag the only laurel that was missing from his trophy cabinet.

Argentina vs France head-to-head in World Cups

Argentina 1-0 France (FIFA World Cup 1930)

The group stage clash in the FIFA World Cup 1930 was the first-ever match played between France and Argentina.

Following a goalless first half, Argentina midfielder Luis Monti netted the winner in the 81st minute to get La Albiceleste’s campaign up and running in the inaugural World Cup.

Argentina won all three of its group-stage matches to qualify for the semi-final, where they thumped the United States by 6-1.

However, they stumbled at the final hurdle as hosts Uruguay emerged victorious by 4-2 to win their first World Cup.

Argentina 2-1 France (FIFA World Cup 1978)

The two teams came head-to-head again in the group phase of the 1978 edition, with the Argentines winning this time out as well.

The 2-1 defeat was Les Bleus’ second loss on the trot, having lost by the same scoreline to Italy in the first match. The loss against Argentina meant they were eliminated in the group stage itself.

Argentina’s Daniel Passarella opened the scoring in the first half before Michel Platini, who features among France’s all-time top goal-scorers, levelled in the second half. Nonetheless, Leopoldo Luque’s 74th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides at the final whistle.

Cesar Luis Menotti’s men went all the way through to collect their first World Cup title, getting the better of Netherlands by 3-1 in the final.

France 4-3 Argentina (FIFA World Cup 2018)

Perhaps the most exciting contest between the two nations came in the 2018 round of 16 when the French team won a thrilling match by 4-3.

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace with Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Pavard netting one each to guide France to their first competitive win over Argentina. 

Interestingly, Pavard’s right-footed curler won him the Goal of the Tournament award.

Angel di Maria, Gabriel Marcado and Sergio Aguero were on the scoresheet for the Lionel Messi-led side.

Thereafter, France registered wins against Uruguay, Belgium and Croatia to bag their second World Cup.

Photo credit: Alamy