Qatar World Cup 2022: Argentina held its nerves to oust France on penalties to win the final 2-0 on Sunday. Lionel Messi was on the scoring sheet, and so was Kylian Mbappe, as the former edged out, while fervent fans were jubilant.
The globe waited impatiently for Sunday's competitive 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar. As former two-time champion Argentina and defending two-time champion France squared off at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, the fans were initially somewhat depressed due to the lack of competition from the latter before it all opened up later. After goals from Lionel Messi (23 & 108) and Ángel Di Maria (36) put the Argentines in the driver's seat, Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick pulled the French back. Nevertheless, the La Albicelestes won it cleanly on penalties to hand the side their third WC title and the first since 1986, when late-great Argentine legend Diego Maradona lifted it the last time. Meanwhile, fans were both emotional and triumphant at the same time.
What an amazing World Cup Final. Feel for Mbappe - scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup Final and ending up on the losing side. Congratulations to Lionel Messi and Argentina on an incredible win, first in 36 years , a fitting tribute to the great Maradonna. pic.twitter.com/oJZtnNhNga
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)It all started in the 21st minute when Ousmane Dembélé brought down Di Maria inside the box, as referee Szymon Marciniak instantly pointed at the spot. As Messi overtook the spot-kick, it was an excellent and calm finish, sending Hugo Lloris to the wrong side to hand Argentina the opening lead.
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One of the greatest World Cup games of all time. Mbappe was outstanding for France but it was meant to be Lionel Messi’s crowning moment. Congratulations Argentina on becoming the champions.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)Meanwhile, La Albicelestes doubled the lead 13 minutes later, thanks to Alexis Mac Allister's timely assist to an unmarked Di Maria, who rushed in from the left to fire it past Lloris. It appeared game-over for France, as Argentina maintained the 2-0 lead at half-time. However, Les Blues had other plans in the second half.
Lionel Messi. The Best Ever. 🐐
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice)While the French seemed to be holding on to the ball and playing the game of possession, it was in the 79th when Nicolás Otamendi dragged Randal Kolo Muani inside the box, as they were handed a penalty this time. As Mbappe took charge for the spot-kick, he successfully converted it, despite Emiliano Martinez diving on the right side.
5 players have now won the Champions League, World Cup and Ballon D’or:
Rivaldo 🇧🇷
Ronaldo 🇧🇷
Ronaldinho 🇧🇷
Zinedine Zidane 🇫🇷
LIONEL MESSI 🇦🇷
The best of the best. 🤝😮💨 pic.twitter.com/zLYvP9Shu5
With Argentina still recollecting itself from the howler, Mbappe pushed in again. A timely assist from Marcus Thuram allowed the former from the left to hammer the second past Martinez, allowing Les Bleus to get themselves back into the game rightfully. France continued to push in and play attacking football as both sides reached a stalemate, forcing the contest into extra time.
This is the best game of football I've ever watched. Every emotion displayed and felt for 120 minutes and then through every take from the spot. What a show. What a sport. Lionel Messi 💙🤍
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11)As things moved into extra time, it was a stalemate in the first half of ET. As for the following half, Messi dramatically restored Argentina's lead in the 109th, as Lautaro Martinez's shot was a rebound off Lloris that landed in front of Messi, who fired it in, while Dayot Upamecano's attempt to clear it was in vain as he was well beyond the goal-line.
100 - Lionel Messi has scored his 100th career goal with his right foot. Timing. pic.twitter.com/0HQATDv1Nr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)And, just when it seemed that La Albicelestes had it within its grasp, nine minutes later, Mbappe's shot was elbowed by Gonzalo Montiel inside the box, resulting in a penalty, as the former successfully converted it again to script his hat-trick. It was followed by some close attempts again, but to no avail, as things went into the penalty shootout.
Magical Maradona must be smiling from the heaven ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/CGLXDVg9kg
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju)In the shootout, Mbappe and Messi began on scoring terms. However, Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni missed for France, while Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel were on target, handing the Argentines their historic third title while leaving the French in tears.
One more trophy for Lionel Messi ! pic.twitter.com/LpROfyN60a
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball)