Messimerising Argentina

It was a fitting finish to an unprecedented FIFA World Cup – dubbed the best-ever edition in the history of the global tournament. Argentina ended their 36-year World Cup  title drought beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in a classic final in front of 88,966 spectators at the iconic Lusail Stadium. 

Hailed as the “Greatest of all Time” Lionel Messi – the record seven-time Ballon d’or winner - finally clinched football's top prize in his fifth and final World Cup appearance to complete his trophy collection. 

The Qatar 2022 triumph handed Argentina their third world title and first since 1986 when late Diego Maradona led the side to glory in Mexico.   

“It hasn’t yet sunk in but this is a moment to enjoy, especially the people,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the victory. 

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after winning the World Cup. REUTERS

“We who live by this have had ups and downs, we’re used to these things happening to us, taking blows,” he added after the remarkable final. 

It looked Messi and Argentina’s night from the start until Kylian Mbappe led France’s dramatic fightback late in the match, smashing a lightning 97-second brace (80 and 81 minutes) to take the match into extra time.         

The Scaloni’s men had completely subdued France for over an hour with Messi opening the scoring through a spot-kick in 23rd minute. Angel Di Maria, starting for the first time since the group stage in Qatar, struck Argentina’s second in 36th minute before Mbappe’s hit from the spot and a superb volley take the thriller into extra time.

The second half of extra time witnessed another exchange of goals with Messi completing his brace with a strike in 108th minute and Mbappe replying with another penalty kick ten minutes later to complete his hat-trick. 

The 23-year-old became only the second man after England’s Sir Geoff Hurst (1966) to score a World Cup final hat-trick. Mbappe also edged Messi in race for Golden Boot with his tally of eight goals with Argentine captain being declared as Best Player of Qatar 2022.    

However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – the Golden Glove winner – gave Argentina advantage in the shootout as France’s night ended in agony.      

Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after receiving the Golden Ball award as he celebrates after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Martinez blocked Kingsley Coman’s hit after Mbappe was on target with Aurelien Tchouameni hitting his shot wide in France’s third attempt, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to hit the winning penalty.

Messi after finally achieving his dream to win the World Cup collapsed to his knees in glory with his jubilant teammates mobbing the legend. 

“This is what happened today, they (France) reacted and that’s huge credit to them,” said Scaloni, 44, who also guided Argentina to Copa America victory last year. 

“Above all, it is an incredible enjoyment to be at the top, as we are, it’s something unique.”

Dominant start for Argentina 

From Messi’s first touch of the match that drew loud cheers from the fans, it was Argentina who ran riot on France in the first half. 

Les Bleus – perhaps affected by colds to several of their players ahead of the final – looked a different side from the previous six matches as they were at the receiving end right from the beginning. 

While Mbappe was nowhere to be seen, Messi was creating problems for Didier Deschamps’ side as Argentina made six attempts with three shots on target in the first session. 

Apart from Olivier Giroud’s header that flew over the bar from an Antoine Griezmann delivery in the 18th minute, France did not make any attempt in the first session. 

Argentina players celebrate after winning the World Cup as teammate Gonzalo Montiel scores during the penalty shootout. REUTERS

Di Maria gave an early scare to France before Alexis Mac Allister fired a long range shot straight at Hugo Lloris hands as Argentina launched attacks at short intervals. 

After Di Maria missed the target in another attempt, Ousmane Dembele paved the way for Argentina’s first goal bringing down the 34-year-old with a slight contact but the referee immediately pointed to the spot – in what arguably was a soft penalty. 

A confident Messi slotted in comfortably, sending Lloris the wrong way as huge roars from the crowd followed.   

Di Maria doubled the lead in a move initiated by Messi, who played a ball to Julian Alvarez. After receiving the ball from Alvarez, Mac Allister fired a cross to Di Maria, who shot across Lloris and burst into tears of joy after doubling the lead for Argentina. 

Deschamps did not wait for the half-time and made double substitution in the 41st minute sending in Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani for Dembele and Giroud. 

But Argentina remained aggressive in the second half and launched an attack soon and it took a rapid movement from Lloris to thwart Mac Allister’s attempt.  

Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel scores during the penalty shootout to win the World Cup. REUTERS

France’s dramatic fightback 

France were not impressive in the final third and a solid Argentina defence was adding to their woes as they struggled to make a fightback in the match.

But the situation changed as France started showing signs of their brilliance after making their first attempt in the 67th minute. 

From there on it was Les Bleus, who dominated with Mbappe – spearheading the attack - making his first attempt of the match in 71st minute.      

The PSG star reduced the lead from the spot with a strike to the left after Muani was brought down by Nicolas Otamendi inside the box. Mbappe instantly leveled the score with a superb volley into the bottom corner, shocking Scaloni’s men and their fans.

France made several attacks seeking a winner but Messi’s dangerous strike from 25 yards – saved brilliantly by Lloris – took the game into extra time.     

Argentina substitute Lautaro Martinez got a golden opportunity to score in first half of extra time but he missed the target while hitting in haste to avoid a running Lloris in one-on-one.       

Messi too saw his shot on target saved by a diving Lloris in second half of extra time before he struck his second goal to send Argentina into the lead again. 

Mbappe completed his hat-trick with another clinical strike from the spot. The goal was followed by breathtaking exchanges from the two teams prior to the shootout in which La Albiceleste dominated. 

“We had the game under control but the team was doomed to suffer. France almost scored a winner, too, but thank God we are here. The World Cup is something I have been dreaming of. I have no words to express what I’m feeling,” said Martinez.

Best Young Player Award winner Enzo Fernandez, Golden Ball Award winner Lionel Messi, Golden Gloves Award winner Emiliano Martinez and Golden Boot Award winner Kylian Mbappe pose for a photo with their trophies. 

SPECIAL AWARDS

FIFA Fair Play Trophy: England

Adidas Golden Boot Award: 

Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Silver Boot: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 
Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France)

Adidas Golden Glove Award:

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) 

Adidas Golden Ball Award: 

Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 
Silver Ball: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Bronze Ball: Luka Modric (Croatia)

Young Player Award: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) 

World Cup winners

1930 - Uruguay
1934 - Italy
1938 - Italy
1950 - Uruguay
1954 - West Germany
1958 - Brazil
1962 - Brazil
1966 - England
1970 - Brazil
1974 - West Germany
1978 - Argentina
1982 - Italy
1986 - Argentina
1990 - West Germany
1994 - Brazil
1998 - France
2002 - Brazil
2006 - Italy
2010 - Spain
2014 - Germany
2018 - France
2022 - Argentina