ARG vs FRA, FIFA World Cup Final Highlights: Lionel Messi-led Argentina beat two-time world champions France 4-2 on penalties in a high-octane FIFA World Cup 2022 final at 80,000-seat jam-packed Lusail Iconic Stadium, Sunday. By virtue of tonight's win, Argentina won their third ever World Cup trophy, first since 1986.
Argentina had won the Copa America last year, country's first major trophy in 28 years. Carrying expectations of millions of his fans, desperate for a World Cup win, Messi single-handedly lifted his team to the final after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in tournament opener. The world and football Gods have tearful smiles as G.O.A.T Messi, who played his fifth and final World Cup on Sunday, walks away with the highly prestigious trophy in his last attempt, adding that 'one trophy', missing from his illustrious cabinet. Argentina, the Copa de America 2021 champions, finish their 2022 World Cup campaign as champions, which in many ways is a perfect tribute to one of the best sports personalities of all time, Lionel Messi.
Argentina were off to a dream start as they doubled their lead in the first-half. First goal of the match was scored by none other than Messi via penalty, his sixth goal in the ongoing tournament, while old warhorse Angel Di Maria's remarkable goal helped Argentina double their lead. By the end of first half, Messi-starrer Argentina had a commanding 2-0 lead over their formidable opponents.
Argentina were leading and all set for a win but Mbappe's brilliant brace brought France back level in a dramatic twist and took the summit clash into extra-time.
In the 109th minute of match, Lionel Messi scored one of the most precious goals of his entire career. He took another step towards immortality by making it 3-2 against France. Just when it seemed Argentina would seal the deal, Mbappe struck another goal, minutes after Messi's goal to pull France level 3-3 against Argentina, also completing his hat-trick. Both teams scored one goal each in extra time to keep scores tied 3-3 so that the match could be decided in the penalty shootout.
For Argentina, Montel scored the match-winning penalty, making it 4-2 in the penalty shootout to help Argentina win their third FIFA World Cup title.
The last time Argentina won FIFA World Cup trophy was in 1986, while they almost won it for the second time in 2014, losing to Germany in the final. In the previous edition of FIFA World Cup in Russia, Argentina's campaign ended after a 4-3 defeat against France in the last 16 round.
France became FIFA World Cup champions in 1998 and 2018, while Argentina won the title in 1978 and 1986. Argentina finished as runner-up in FIFA World Cup three times (1930, 1990, 2014). France was the runner up in 2006.