Mueez Ajao
– Argentina beat France on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup after a 3-3 draw in a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
– Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute penalty, with teammate and surprise starter Angel Di Maria doubling their advantage shortly after as Argentina looked increasingly likely to run out comfortable winners.
– But France, who took until 71 minutes to register a single shot, burst into life in the final stages and were rewarded when substitute Randal Kolo Muani won a penalty with little more than 10 minutes remaining, which Mbappe scored.
Also Read: BREAKING: Messi gets first goal against France
– Mbappe emerged again almost immediately after as France won the ball back at the halfway-line before eventually feeding Mbappe with a floated pass on the edge of the box that he volleyed into the bottom right corner, sending the game to extra time.
– Argentina thought they had won in extra-time when Messi pounced to slot home a parry from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but France equalised again before time was out as Mbappe completed his hat trick with another penalty following a Gonzalo Montiel handball, sending the game to a shootout.
– Mbappe and Messi converted the two opening penalties, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved the next two France efforts from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni before Montiel stepped up and converted to help Argentina to a 4-2 win on penalties.
– The result means Messi, who was playing in his record 25th and final World Cup match, achieves a fairy-tale ending as he lifts the trophy for the first time — the only major honour to have eluded him in his career.
Argentina win the World Cup on penalties! 🏆 @adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022
