In one of the most spectacular FIFA World Cup finals in history, Lionel Messi and his Argentina boys defeated the defending champions France in an epic 6 goal thriller followed by a penalty shoot out to lift their third world cup. Messi, one of the greatest players of the game, finally realized his career long dream of grabbing the most prized accolade in international football, having missed out on gold in the 2014 world cup final against Germany.
The title clash also featured arguably one of the most heroic performances where one player almost single-handedly steered his team to World Cup glory. French Captain Kylian Mbappe valiantly fought from the death and scored a hat-trick to bring his team level with Argentina by the end of regulation time after his team was trailing behind 2-0 at 75 minutes. The match also faced a fierce and clinical rivalry between both Messi and Mbappe, who were both committed to get their teams across the finish line.
The opening goal from a penalty converted by Messi at 23 minutes, followed by the second by Di Maria at 36 minutes put Argentina in the driver’s seat. Argentina had dominated most of the match with the first legit French attempt on goal coming only in the 70th minute. But it was there that France shifted gears and all hell broke loose for Argentina.
Kylian Mbappe scored two quick goals in a span of less than 100 seconds to help his team level the score. A penalty at 79 minutes, followed by his second goal just 97 seconds later, saw France back in the game. The action kept going back and forth with shot after shot on either goal. The match then headed into extra time. The first 15 minutes of added time produced no result and 15 more minutes were called for the match.
Messi then gave Argentina a crucial lead in the 108th minute with his second goal of the night, but Mbappe soon covered the gap with his third in the 118th minute. After 120 minutes of play, both teams were drawn at 3-3 and the world cup champions would be decided through penalties.
THE FINAL PENALTY SHOOTOUT!
France were up to begin with the penalties.
FRA – Captain Kylian Mbappe walked in to take the first shot for France as Emilaino Martinez braced himself. Mbappe fired the ball in for the first goal!
France (1) – Argentina (0)
ARG – Captain Lionel Messi came in to open for Argentina. He gracefully sends in a grounded shot down the left as the goalkeeper goes the other way.
France (1) – Argentina (1)
FRA – Coman takes the second shot for France but Martinez makes a fantastic save, diving to the left to take the ball on his chest.
France (1) – Argentina (1)
ARG – Young Argentinian Dybala walked into and scored the second goal for his time, sending the ball down the middle into the nets.
France (1) – Argentina (2)
FRA – Tchouameni takes the shot sending it down the left just wide off the post. A gift for Argentina!
France (1) – Argentina (2)
ARG – Parades comes in for a crucial strike. He puts the ball in for Argentina’s third, almost ascertaining his team the victory.
France (1) – Argentina (3)
FRA – Kolo Muani came in and sent in a flier, slamming the ball high into the nets. No chance for Martinez. France still has hope!
France (2) – Argentina (3)
ARG – Montiel came in for what could be the decisive goal for Argentina. He hops in and punches the ball in down the middle. He takes his shirt off in celebration. Argentina are the new world champions!
France (2) – Argentina (4)
It was truly a hard fought battle where both teams put in all their blood, sweat, and every last breath to get their hands on the World title, with Argentina eventually standing tall. Lionel Messi, a legend and one of the most gifted and loved players in the history of this game has finally lifted his first ever world cup, something that all his fans have been praying for since the beginning of this tournament, as this is very well his last major tournament for Argentina.
Who would’ve thought that Argentina, one of the most respected teams and tournament favorites, who lost their opening game to a much lesser experienced Saudi Arabia, would eventually be the ones to lift the world cup? Who would’ve thought that France, the defending champions, after such a dominant run in the tournament, would lose? Who would have thought that Mbappe’s heroic hat-trick won’t be enough to retain the world title?
The world cup final was an unthinkable affair, and both teams exceeded all expectations and lived up to the spirit of the game. Salute to Kyilan Mbappe for his one-man army show, as he ended the tournament as the leading goal scorer with 8 goals, winning the Golden Boot Award. Bow down to the all mighty Lionel Messi, who showed his class as well, scoring 7 goals, picking the world cup for his team and also taking home the Golden Ball Award for “Player of the Tournament ”.
A true spectacle at the grandest stage of football, Argentina lifted the world cup for the third time in history, beating France 4-2 on penalties after drawing the match 3-3 in regulation time. France fought hard to defend their title with Mbappe’s hat-trick going in vain. It indeed was indeed Mbappe’s night, but in the end it was Messi’s tournament! Thank you all for being such loyal followers of 90agency throughout the FIFA 2022 World Cup!