Argentina In Dreamland! Messi Finally Lifts World Cup
- Overwhelm France 4-2 on penalty shootouts
Despite talismanic striker Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick on the night, Lionel Messi finally led Argentina to a stunning World Cup victory, beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw over 120 minutes.
In a game that will go down in history as one of the greats, Les Blues came from behind twice to send the game to penalties.
Although Messi eventually took the headlines, Mbappe became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final after Sir Geoff Hurst did same with England in their 1966 triumph.
The seventh time Ballon d’or winner sent the Lusail stadium into raptures as he finally realised his dream of winning a World Cup title, guiding the Argentines to glory through a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against France in one of the greatest ever finals in Qatar.
Expectedly, Argentinian fans across the world erupted in wild celebrations as their team prevailed, scoring every spot kick while France squandered two of their efforts amid the mind games of Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The former Barcelona forward had scored a desperate goal in extra time to drag his team back in front of defending champions France – only for his PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe to seal a hat-trick and set up a nerve-wracking penalty shootout
The South American fans, who vastly outnumbered their French counterparts in Qatar, were powerless to contain their joy when the final penalty was scored, while the Argentinian players immediately burst into floods of tears as they mobbed their captain Messi.
Argentina had dominated for the opening 80 minutes and looked to be cruising to their first World Cup title since 1986 with Messi firing his side ahead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Ousmane Dembele was judged to have tripped Angel Di Maria – although it looked to be a soft decision.
Juventus winger Di Maria added Argentina’s second after a fine sweeping move – spearheaded by Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister – as France looked to be suffering from the effects of illness in camp during the week.
However, Les Bleus came roaring back into the tie when they were handed a lifeline in the 79th minute as the impressive Randal Kolo Muani was tripped by Nicolas Otamendi. Mbappe scored from the spot for his first of the evening, before adding a stunning second just 90 seconds later to take the game to extra-time.
Messi thought he had won it for his side as his rebounded strike was given by goal-line technology in the 108th minute. But, with just minutes to play, France were awarded another penalty after Gonzalo Montiel was penalised for handball.
Mbappe stepped up for a second time and once again beat Emiliano Martinez, hauling France back into the tie for a second time and sending the game to penalties.
The 23-year-old took the first kick of the shootout – netting his third penalty of the evening – before Messi replied.
Sadly, Kinsgley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni both missed their spot kicks for France as Argentina netted each of their remaining three, with Montiel firing home the winning penalty to gift the 2022 World Cup to the Copa American champions.
