FIFA World Cup 2022: How set pieces could play a key role in the final – set-piece analysis

Sunday, 18th December is the date that many have been waiting for. France will face Argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022. France will look to win back-to-back trophies, becoming only the third team to do so, while Argentina will attempt to win their third World Cup, the first in 36 years.

Set pieces have been a fairly quiet theme during this World Cup, but in a game as tight as this one, one corner could be the difference between winning and losing the World Cup. From the get-go, Argentina look to be disadvantaged in this part of the game, due to their smaller squad in terms of height. Only Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are over 180cm tall for Argentina based on their predicted starting lineups, and should Lisandro Martinez start over one of them, Argentina will be left with only one outfield player over 180cm.

On the other hand, Frances squad is filled with a physical presence, with six of their predicted starters being over 180cm tall. The mismatch in height has the odds swayed in Frances favour, and this preview will look in depth to see if France are clear favourites from set pieces.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics that both France and Argentina have used for corners and free kicks. There will be an analysis of every set piece that each team has taken in the World Cup to determine the effectiveness of both sides. Furthermore, we will look at how the two sides match up with their offensive and defensive strategies, and where chances may appear during those set plays.

The set-piece analysis will show discuss both team strengths and weaknesses, and come up with ways in which both teams could shock one another to create chances from set-pieces.

Frances threat

Frances set-piece taker for both corners and free kicks has been Atletico Madrids Antoine Griezmann. His deeper role in this tournament has highlighted his passing skillset, which is as good as any other part of his game. He has taken nearly every set play that was available to him, and his strong pinpoint deliveries have led to a number of goals and great goalscoring opportunities.

Below we can see a map of his shot assists during the World Cup. This map also has a couple of assists from open play, but to have nearly 3 xA from five starts shows just how creative Griezmann is, and we will likely see more of his teasing deliveries in the final.

Antoine Griezmann takes corners from both sides of the pitch, and Frances attacking movements depend on the side the corner is taken from. On both sides, rather than precoordinated movements, France rely on individual aerial quality, which they have in abundance, to make the first contact. All the players start between the penalty spot and the edge of the box and make their movements once the kick is taken.

From the left-hand side, where the ball is out swinging, Frances players stay deep around the penalty spot. As the ball is delivered, it naturally starts closer to the keeper before curling away. As a result, it is difficult to place outswinging corners in and around the six-yard box, where it is easier for the goalkeeper to claim the deliveries. The delivery is therefore aimed towards the penalty spot, where its impossible for the goalkeeper to claim it, and France are reliant on the individual quality of their players to generate the power and accuracy of a floated ball. This is not a problem for France, as the usual five players attacking corners; Giroud, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Varane and Konate/Upamecano, are all capable of beating most opponents aerially and have the heading ability to cause danger from 12 yards out.

From the right side, Griezmanns inswing cor