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South American duo seek to end Europe's modern hegemony

It's almost two decades now since it was asserted that poverty and dictatorships were indispensable ingredients in producing great footballers.

Alas, since that maxim was enshrined on the public record, the World Cup has exclusively been the preserve of first world countries in the European Union (the Italians have flirted with exiting that category from time to time).

In the past 20 years, the game's grandest prize has been scooped by Italy, Spain, Germany and France, in that order.

Once upon a time, in the 20th century, Jules Rimet zinged back and forth between the two continents, depending on where it happened to be held. The Europeans triumphing on European soil (save for 1958), the South Americans invariably winning when it was held in the Americas.

The lesson of the past two decades was clear, however. The South Americans had been left behind by the Europeans, with their state-of-the-art infrastructure and their armies of clipboard brandishing coaches.

But is Europe's modern monopoly about to end?

South America's traditional standard bearers arrive at this tournament in rude health - Argentina are threatening a world record - with doubts suddenly cropping up around several of the European bluebloods.

Reigning champions France, who made such an abjectly miserable fist of their last title defence 20 years ago, are hobbled by the absence of both N'golo Kante and Paul Pogba in midfield.

England's form has been decidedly scratchy in 2022, without a win in their last six games, the fanbase and the press have grown weary of the caution of their once beloved manager. One gets the impression that their morale hasn't fully recovered from the Euros letdown and there's a nagging sense in the air that their wave may have crested.

Italy,

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