Legendary forward Lionel Messi, who is playing his last World Cup game, scored a goal from the penalty spot to give Argentina a lead in their Qatar 2022 final against France.
In what has sent fans of legendary forward Lionel Messi into a tizzy, the Argentinian icon scored a goal from the penalty spot to give the South American giants the lead in the Qatar World Cup 2022 final against France on Sunday. Doha's Lusail Stadium erupted with joy after the 35-year-old veteran, playing his last game at football's grandest stage, scored his sixth goal of the showpiece event.
Argentina got off to the better start of the two teams as Messi attempted to direct play from his regular spot behind Julian Alvarez. The first attempt of the day came from Alexis Mac Allister, whose 25-yard shot went straight to Hugo Lloris's neck.
France's first 15 minutes were tremendously tense as Didier Deschamps' team struggled to make the most of its attacking talents. And in the 22nd minute, when Ousmane Dembélé tripped Angel Di Maria inside the penalty area, that anxiety was evident.
Up stepped the iconic Argentinian Messi, with the PSG forward placing it into the bottom corner for the opening goal, leaving no chance for Lloris to save the strike.
With his penalty against , Lionel Messi has become the first man to register 20 goal involvements, surpassing Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose. |
➡️ https://t.co/I9DF2YRjim pic.twitter.com/fFUQqOiFBu
Moments later, Di Maria completed a brilliant counterattack, doubling Argentina's advantage in the grand finale. At half-time, the scores were Argentina 2 - France 0.
Following Messi's penalty, fans of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner took to Twitter to troll his arch-rival and Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Manchester United icon had a lacklustre campaign, with his nation being knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, some Ronaldo fans responded stating, "6 penalties awarded in 7 games for Lionel Messi this World Cup. But they get to call Cristiano Ronaldo “Penaldo". Imagine if this was him instead. This World Cup is so rigged.
Here's a look at some of the memes, jokes and reactions to Messi's penalty during Argentina vs France final at World Cup 2022:
Ronaldo watching Messi bang in another penalty 😭 pic.twitter.com/7OwheD1dRg
— Fredrick (@fredrickII)Messi dey put France for master class
Ronaldo dey grant interview say Coach no use am
Choose your GOAT well.... pic.twitter.com/bgT0e9W7xU
Ronaldo watching Messi score penalties this wc pic.twitter.com/NwBgfAVcyV
— Neeche Se Topper (@NeecheSeTopper)Cristiano Ronaldo fans watching Lionel Messi score another penalty pic.twitter.com/J3HcSN8QOZ
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible)6 penalties awarded in 7 games for Lionel Messi this World Cup.
But they get to call Cristiano Ronaldo “Penaldo“. 😂
Imagine if this was him instead. This World Cup is so rigged.
Everyone says Messi's just talent but he's a product of obsessive analysis and hard work. Has this computer in his brain.
Penalties were a weakness, he's mastered this wait and watch approach. Became a free-kick master later in his career. Continually adapted his role too.
A penalty in Quarter Final
A penalty in Semi Final
A penalty in Final
But they'll tell you Messi has done something impossible lmao. Most protected player ever.
Argentina's new flag pic.twitter.com/SVTQmZIH3D
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)6 penalties awarded in 7 games for Lionel Messi this World Cup.
But they get to call Cristiano Ronaldo “Penaldo“. 😂
Imagine if this was him instead. This World Cup is so rigged.
messi penalty *pretends to be shocked* pic.twitter.com/3YoN8g1wyS
— ag.🇫🇷🇫🇷 (@rashymyman)Messi’s just taken four of the most high pressure penalty anyone could ever take, and scored them all. Can we stop with the narrative that he can’t take pens or handle the pressure anymore?
— Neal 🇦🇺 (@NealGardner_)Clear penalty every day of the week.
People who deny it can’t handle Messi is the GOAT.
Appreciation post for whoever finally taught Messi how to take penalties
— Chris Dixon (@chrismd10)Ronaldo fans watching Messi's Penalty pic.twitter.com/IiStvWMsYQ
— Magical Xavi 🇦🇷 (@MagicalXavi)There’s never a debate! Ronaldo is clear. Infact Ronaldo at 35 ruled football, messi at 35 scoring penalties that are not even penalties https://t.co/Bwyt1Upa4u
— NotgoD_34 (@NikhilG_Anand)I’m seeing ronaldo fans complain that Messi scored a penalty… pic.twitter.com/iyIQM8RIC0
— Cal 🕊 (@12toSIXX)Ronaldo fans that said if penalties were so easy Messi should score them, are now complaining that Messi is scoring penalties pic.twitter.com/P77QoILamQ
— . (@Ishe__)The final has been sold to make Messi the GOAT 🐐 .. The penalty was orchestrated thoug.. Messi x Ronaldo argument is closed from today till thy kingdom come. ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Tawfiq (@1Don_SM4LYF)