Argentina defeated France in a thrilling penalty shootout on December 17, ending Lionel Messi’s wait for World Cup success.
It was a match for the ages, with the game tied 3-3 after extra time and the momentum swinging both ways for the entire tense 120 minutes. Gonzalo Montiel then scored the game-winning penalty.
Messi, who was competing in his fifth and last World Cup, scored twice, but Kylian Mbappé of France scored an incredible hat trick, the first in a championship game since 1966, as the two superstars magnificently duked it out on the largest stage of them all.
Messi’s penalty and Angel di Maria’s goal in the first half appeared to have ended the match in regulation time, but Mbappé scored two goals in stoppage time, including one from the penalty spot, to tie the game for France.
Both teams were reeling after the thrilling conclusion when Messi appeared to have scored the game-winning goal in the 108th minute. However, Mbappé once more equalized from the spot to force a shootout.
Prior to Montiel securing Argentina’s third World Cup victory and a first since 1986, Kingsley Coman of France saw his penalty kick saved by Emiliano Martinez, who was awarded the competition’s top goalie. Aurelien Tchouameni also saw his effort miss the target.
Day of Messi
The World Cup was Messi’s lone remaining trophy after having won seven Ballon d’Or awards, 38 trophies, and over 1,000 games in his career.
Perhaps it is appropriate that the 35-year-old secured that coveted trophy in such an extraordinary game.
By matching his idol Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup 36 years ago, he has strengthened his case for being regarded as the best player in history.
After all the anticipation leading up to the match on December 18, Argentina got off to a better start than France, pressuring France hard and making mistakes as a result.
Mbappé didn’t see much of the ball in the early going, but Messi looked sharp right away, finding gaps and starting assaults.
Di Maria was ruled to have been fouled in the box by Ousmane Dembele in the 23rd minute. After the penalty was given, Messi was the center of attention.
The magnificent No. 10 held his composure and beat Hugo Lloris while bearing the weight of an entire country and the world’s attention on him.
The thousands of Argentine fans, who outnumbered the French supporters inside the Lusail Stadium, expressed their emotions visibly.
According to Opta, Messi’s goal made him the first player to score in a single World Cup group stage, the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
Argentina continued to gain strength after the opening goal, while France appeared to be trailing. The World Cup final is not the match to get off to a poor start, and after Di Maria completed a superb team play that had been initiated by Messi, France found themselves 2-0 down before the half.
Olivier Giroud and Dembele were replaced by France manager Didier Deschamps before halftime, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference at first as Argentina continued to dominate in the second half.
Mbappé motivates the French
However, just as it appeared that Argentina would win the championship, France had a lifeline when Randal Kolo Muani was hauled down in the area. Talisman Mbappé, who had played in the background for much of the game, converted the ensuing penalty in the 80th minute.
Momentum abruptly changed when France, out of nowhere, experienced a surge of energy, and Mbappé sensationally scored an equalizer a minute later.
Messi pounced on a loose ball to push it past the goal line as play continued into extra time with both teams having opportunities. Mbappé, 23, continued, and in front of a dumbfounded stadium, he finished his hat trick from the penalty spot.
Mbappé’s third goal earned him the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament’s best scorer after he scored eight goals in Qatar, but it wasn’t enough to propel France to back-to-back World Cup victories. He also became just the second player, after Geoff Hurst in 1966, to score three goals in a final.
Messi and Mbappé each made a successful attempt in the penalty shootout before Argentina goalkeeper Martinez went up to support his nation. The drama continued there.
Messi, who was voted player of the competition, was left with the golden trophy that Argentina had battled so hard to earn as the dust fell on a final unlike any other.
News Mania Desk
