Argentina won their third World Cup on penalties after one of the greatest finals in tournament history at Lusail Stadium, thanks to Lionel Messi’s heroics.
Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game that culminated in the much-anticipated clash between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France counterpart Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick – the first in a World Cup final since 1966 – but still lost.
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As Argentina cruised into a two-goal lead, Messi appeared to be securing the one major honour missing from his glittering collection, only for an explosive intervention from Mbappe to turn a spectacular encounter on its head with two goals inside a minute late on.
Messi scored Argentina’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Ousmane Dembele fouled Angel Di Maria. He became the first player in World Cup history to score in a single tournament’s group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
He then added a deft touch to a magnificent counter-attack that resulted in Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later.
Argentina were untroubled until the final stages, when Mbappe gave France a lifeline from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining – then restored equality moments later with a magnificent volley.
Argentina took the lead again in extra time, but Mbappe completed his treble from the spot two minutes later, capping off a frantic, chaotic added period.
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So it went to penalties, with the two greats scoring first. However, Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s shot before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, allowing Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup.
Messi, finally a World Cup winner, collapsed to his knees in the center circle and was engulfed by ecstatic Argentina teammates.
