Messi’s Argentina are World Champions

Argentina beat France in penalties by 4-2 to lift the World Cup trophy for the third time. The final match ended in a 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Back in 1986, The Albiceleste clinched their second World Cup trophy.

Argentina took a 2-0 lead in the first half but later they concede two in the second half. The drama was not finished yet as both sides score two more in the extra time and the game decided into penalties.

Lionel Messi gave his side the lead in the 23rd minute from the spot kick. He took a short run-up to the spot, just hesitating in front of the ball as he looked up at Hugo Lloris. The keeper dived to his right and can only watch as the ball flew into the opposite corner.

Later, Angel Di Maria doubled the lead in the 36th minute. It was Dayot Upamecano that lost the ball this time and Argentina broke on a quick counter. 

Messi flicked it past his marker to pick out Alexis Mac Allister's run and he surged into the box before unselfishly squaring it to Di Maria. Lloris rushed out but the winger's first-time shot beat him and nestled into the far bottom corner.

However, after the 80th minute, everything got changed as Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in just two minutes to help France back in the game.

Mbappe netted the first one from a penalty but the second one was a treat to the eye.

Kingsley Coman won the ball back on the halfway line and France quickly switched it out to the left side. Mbappe nodded it to Marcus Thuram and when it came back to him he hit the volley across the goal while off balance. Emiliano Martinez got a hand to it but failed to stop it from nestling in the corner.

The South American powerhouse took the lead again as Messi found the net for the second time. Lautaro Martinez fired his shot across the goal and Lloris parried it away. Messi was hovering just in front of him and touches it in.

Later, Mbappe equalized again as he completed his hat trick for a penalty again. Gonzalo Montiel was turning his back to try and block Mbappe's shot and his arm was away from his body when the ball hit it. The referee pointed straight to the spot and the French man did not make any mistake to score his seventh goal of the tournament.

It was a brilliant fightback from Les Bleus but that was not enough to snatch the victory away from Argentina as Martinez again showed his class and made a huge save before Aurelien Tchouameni missed. Argentina scored all of theirs, with Montiel scoring the winner.

Twists and turns in FIFA World Cup 2022 final:

23 mins - Argentina 1-0 France - Messi scores a penalty

36 mins - Argentina 2-0 France - Angel di Maria doubles Argentina's lead

80 mins - Argentina 2-1 France - Mbappe responds with a penalty

81 mins - Argentina 2-2 France - Mbappe equalises with a stunning volley

108 mins - Argentina 3-2 France - Messi restores Argentina's lead in extra-time

118 mins - Argentina 3-3 France - Mbappe nets his hat-trick to set up shootout decider