Roy Keane has named his two favourites to win the World Cup and is confident that both teams will meet in the final in the coming weeks.
With the knockouts firmly underway, it was co-hosts Canada who became the first side to punch their ticket into the last 16 with a 1-0 victory over South Africa.
Brazil edged past Japan thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp winner, while Paraguay and Morocco both prevailed on penalties, knocking out Germany and the Netherlands, respectively.
England get their knockout campaign underway on Wednesday as they take on DR Congo in Atlanta, with Thomas Tuchel’s side looking to build on their 2-0 win over Panama in their final group-stage encounter.
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But Keane does not expect to see the Three Lions in the final on July 19 in New Jersey, and is instead backing a repeat of the 2022 final in Qatar between France and Argentina.
‘The French attacking players are as good as any,’ Keane said on ITV. ‘But then we saw that with Brazil. We’ve seen it with England’s main lads turning up against Panama.
‘Probably France have got, obviously, more in numbers. But then again, listen, I think Argentina (do as well).
‘I think Argentina and France are the teams that have the players and the good options. There’d be no surprise if they end up meeting in the final. I’d be surprised if they don’t meet in the final.’
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou concurred, saying of France: ‘Just to put everyone at ease about England’s chances, even in France they’re not happy with the national team.
‘No one is ever happy with their national team. There’s always areas to improve.
‘But I’ve been impressed, because the thing with France for me is, I look at their front five, six, any combination of that, are just absolutely world-class and elite.’
Speaking recently, former England full-back Micah Richards insisted that France were his favourites to win, despite backing Spain prior to the tournament starting.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: ‘I said Spain would win the World Cup, but I’m telling you now, France.
‘I don’t know what it is about them, but when the tempo needs to be risen a little bit, their electric pace on the counterattack, I’ve not seen that at the tournament.
‘I’ve seen teams play well, I’ve seen teams be organised, in the low-block. Argentina are playing for Messi, Morocco look strong, England looked really good against Croatia in that second, but a team that can turn it on – I’ve not seen a team like France.
‘So I think they are now my favourites.’
France face Sweden in the round of 32 on Tuesday in New York, with a very winnable last-16 clash against Paraguay awaiting them.
Argentina, meanwhile, face tournament debutants Cape Verde in their first knockout match.
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