Argentina vs. France was an extraordinary match. It was an incredible night of drama, high emotion, and fluctuating fortunes, and the world applauded Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup in Lusail, Qatar, defeating France with a 3-3 (4-2 penalty) final score after a nail-biting match that concluded in a penalty shootout.
The final match of France vs. Argentina, delivered one of the all-time great finals to cap a wonderful tournament as its two-star players, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé delivered commanding performances on the biggest stage of all.
Highlights
• 120 minutes long match with a score of 3-3
• Argentina bested France in a shootout 4-2.
Line-ups
• Argentina XI (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Di María, Messi, Álvarez
• France XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé
The 3-3 thriller match across 120 minutes, was followed by a penalty shootout, which paved the way for Argentina who bested France 4-2 on penalties and won their third World Cup, after 36 years.
Argentina had the game in their hands for the first half as they claimed a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria and the legendary Lionel Messi.
As the match progressed into the second half, Argentina looked to secure their lead by slowing down their play. But France didn’t give up even at the last minute. They soon rallied to a tie with two consecutive goals from the fantastic Kylian Mbappé, the team’s 23-year-old star player. Mbappé had impressively earned both points within two minutes of each other, causing the French team to fight for a longer time.
The match did not conclude after 90 minutes. Messi gave Argentina a 108th-minute lead but Mbappe pulled off a hat trick and forced a tie-breaking shootout right before the end of 120 minutes as the game tied at 3-3.
During the shootout, Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani went on to convert their penalties for France, but the misses from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni cleared the way for an Argentine win.
For Argentina, Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and finally 25-year-old Gonzalo Montiel all found the back of the net, clinching the match.
Montel scored the match-winning penalty by making it 4-2 in the penalty shootout to help Argentina win their third FIFA World Cup title.
An extravagant award ceremony followed
The 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup concluded with an extravagant award ceremony following a thrilling game: the Golden Boot, Golden Glove, Golden Ball, Young Player, and Fair Play awards.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Award winner:
• Golden Boot Award: Kylian Mbappe
• Golden Ball Award: Lionel Messi
• Golden Glove Award: Emiliano Martinez
• FIFA Young Player Award: Enzo Fernandez
• FIFA Fair Play Award: England
Following medal hand-outs for both teams, the 35-year-old, legendary Lionel Messi finally had an opportunity to lift the trophy.
He was also given a traditional Arab robe by the Emir of Qatar while standing next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
The top 4 team Rankings: Argentina (Winner), France (2nd), Croatia (3rd), and Morocco (4th).
Lionel Messi completed the football
The long-awaited dream was lived as the 35-year-old who played his final World Cup today, finally lifted the trophy for his country.
Lionel Messi has completed football and his Trophy cabinet.
Lionel Messi scripted the perfect ending to his glittering Argentina football career with the World Cup title.
He has also become the player with the most appearances, minutes, and goal contributions in FIFA World Cup history.
By defeating France, Messi has fulfilled his ambition of winning the tournament.
As already stated by the star player that this Qatar World Cup final would be his last appearance for Argentina, and the 35-year-old has made it the perfect fairytale ending to his international career. Lionel Messi has won the biggest championship in football.
Messi has broken a host of records. He is the first man in FIFA World Cup history to score in all five rounds of a single tournament. He has become the first player in the world to win two Golden Ball awards in history. He won the player of the tournament award in the 2014 World Cup despite losing the final to Germany.
With 13 goals to his name, Messi is now the fourth-highest goal-scorer in World Cup history. He has surpassed Brazil’s legend, Pele in the list.
Following an astonishing 793 goals, 42 team titles, and seven Ballon d’Or, Messi earned his spot as one of the world’s greatest footballers.
Congratulations are in the order for Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé killed the match and no words are worthy enough to justify the 23-year-old player’s storming play in the finals for France. Mbappé had single-handedly forced a match nearly in Argentina’s hands to a penalty shootout.
The French superstar has become the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in the biggest game in football.
Kylian Mbappe at 18, 2018 Mbappé joined Pelé as the only teenager at a World Cup Final and led France to win the title. If France had won, he would’ve become the second-youngest player to win a World Cup back-to-back after Pelé.
The star player was inconsolable on France’s bench as he watched Lionel Messi lift the World Cup trophy.
Kylian Mbappe held his nerve under the highest of pressure to clinch the Golden Boot and keep his nation’s dreams alive.
The 29 days of anticipations, celebrations, and sorrows have finally given justice as the world cheered for Argentina.
The 22nd edition of the World Cup had now ended and we have to wait for another 4 years for the next World Cup.
The next World Cup in 2026 will be held across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
