By Sportswriter Michael Place
DOHA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- There has been no shortage of attacking flair at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but, apart from the finalists, few teams have seen prolific campaigns from their forwards.
There was a stunning hat-trick from Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos in his team's 6-1 rout of Switzerland in the round of 16 and notable braces from Brazil's Richarlison against Serbia and Spain's Ferran Torres against Costa Rica.
But finalists Argentina and France have had the tournament's most prolific attacking players.
For Argentina, Lionel Messi has scored five goals and created three assists, but the surprise for the South American side has been Julian Alvarez.
The Manchester City player started the first two group-stage games on the bench but, since then, he and Messi have formed a lethal attacking partnership for the Albiceleste.
Alvarez has scored four goals and will be one of the biggest threats facing France in Sunday's final.
For Didier Deschamps' men, Kylian Mbappe has also netted five times and was brilliant against Poland in the last 16 with two goals and an assist.
The 23-year-old hasn't looked as dangerous in his team's past two games against England and Morocco and there are whispers he may be feeling the effects of a flu that is circulating in the France squad.
Mbappe's pace makes him pivotal for Les Bleus and he is the man that Argentina will be hoping stop in the title decider in Lusail.
Olivier Giroud also needs to be mentioned. He is a completely different type of forward to Mbappe. He is 36 years old, is tall, good in the air and skillful. And he has made it the hard way, beginning his career in France's second division and dropping to the third tier in his early 20s before working his way to the top. ■
