Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni believes that his team "is at its best" ahead of Sunday's World Cup 2022 final against France at the Lusail Stadium.
Since suffering a shock 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening group-stage match, La Albiceleste have won five successive matches in Qatar to reach their sixth World Cup final and their first since 2014.
Argentina followed up their penalty-shootout triumph over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday, and they are now just one win away from lifting their first World Cup since 1986.
Jubilant scenes were sparked in the stands, on the pitch and back home in South America as soon as the full-time whistle blew against Croatia, and Scaloni is hopeful that his side can provide Argentina supporters with more "joy" by winning the biggest prize in football.
"I am proud and enthusiastic about the moment we are living. We are at the door of a final but the important thing is the road," the 44-year-old said at a press conference on Saturday.
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"When you enjoy it, things taste different. I hope that all the people can join us and we give them joy. I think we have the best fans in the world. They needed joy and I think we're giving it to them.
"Football is more than a sport. People were happy during this World Cup and for us that's wonderful. I saw many images of people celebrating or watching the game. We are not exempt from that, we are very excited.
"Hopefully we can win the cup, it would be great. We know how to attack [France], we have a clear game plan."
Scaloni has talked up France star Kylian Mbappe ahead of Sunday's showpiece event, with the Paris Saint-Germain attacker battling with club teammate Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot award.
However, the Pujato-born boss has insisted that the 2022 final is not just about Mbappe and Messi, adding: "Tomorrow's game is Argentina against France, beyond Messi and Mbappe.
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"France has a team that supplies Mbappe and makes him an even better player. He is one of the great players, he is young and will continue to improve, [but] we know where we can hurt the opponent."
Scaloni feels that his side are peaking at the right time heading into the final and has revealed that he has already decided on his team selection to face the current holders.
"The group is at its best," Scaloni added. "Our greatest triumph is that everyone feels part of it. That is essential.
"I already have decided how we are going to form. We have to enjoy these moments until the game starts. All of this will go down in history."
Argentina have won six of their previous 12 meetings against France, but their last encounter ended in defeat as Les Bleus secured a thrilling 4-3 win in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup before going all the way to lift the trophy.
Oliver Thomas
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