Di Maria doubled Argentina's lead in the 36th minute after Lionel Messi scored on a penalty to make it 1-0 for Argentina against France.
Di Maria started for the first time since sustaining a foot injury against Poland in the final round of group matches.
The 34-year-old took the place of Leandro Paredes in midfield as Argentina again rolled out a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi one of the two forwards.
Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthäus.
Messi's matches have been spread over five World Cups, starting in 2006. It was Messi's 12th World Cup goal.
Like France, Argentina are seeking a third World Cup title — after 1978 and 1986 — to move into outright fourth place in the all-time list. It would end a 36-year wait for football's biggest prize, since Maradona's string of virtuoso performances in Mexico in 1986.
Read more: Messi evokes Maradona comparisons on road to World Cup final
That made Maradona forever a hero in Argentina and an icon around the football world. Messi now appears to be at that level.
Messi has evoked comparisons with Maradona in the way he has pushed Argentina to the final, scoring six goals, thrilling his team's legion of fans, who have poured into Qatar throughout the World Cup in numbers only really matched by those from Morocco.
Read more: ARG-FRA 2-2 after Mbappe drags France back into final