It wasn't to be for William Saliba and France as Lionel Messi lead Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
Earlier in the week, there were suggestions of a surprise start for the Arsenal defender when RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, revealed that both members of Les Bleus' pairing for the semi-final win over Morocco had fallen ill: "Two other players caught cold. Defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate," he said. Their situation is not alarming but the staff will closely monitor their state of health."
As things turned out in a huge boost for France, the Manchester United ace and the Liverpool defender were passed fit for the final, although the former kept his place in the side and was partnered by Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano who had missed the Morocco game with the flu himself.
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That meant yet another watching brief from the bench for Saliba. In truth, he wouldn't have enjoyed what France offered up in the first half as they fell behind to Lionel Messi's penalty before conceding another nine minutes before the interval as Angel di Maria was afforded too much space and was left with a simple task of a tap-in.
To Didier Deschamps' credit, he did attempt to spark a reaction from his side by making two substitutions before the end of the first half as Ousmane Dembele and former Gunners striker Olivier Giroud were replaced by Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.
However, it was another double change in the second half that had the desired effect with Eduardo Camavinga and Kingsley Coman entering the fray. Firstly, Kylian Mbappe reduced the deficit from the penalty spot before expertly tucking the ball away minutes later to equalise.
Those strikes sent the game into extra-time, Messi thought he won the game but Mbappe equalised once again from the spot thus ensuring the 2022 World Cup final would be settled by a penalty shootout and in the end, it was Argentina who prevailed by four goals to two.
Unsurprisingly as the final whistle blew at the Lusail Stadium there were contrasting emotions from the Argentina and France players. Joy for the former and disappointment for the latter.
As for Saliba, unlike some of his teammates such as Matteo Guendouzi and Hugo Lloris, he opted to keep his runners-up medal around his neck as the France squad posed for a team photo on the podium before Messi lifted the World Cup.
Now as Arsenal are back in action on Boxing Day - eight days after the final - it is very likely that Saliba's ever-present record in the Premier League this season will come to an end against West Ham United with Rob Holding among three options to replace him in central defence for the London derby.
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