Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina wins World Cup title after beating France in sensational final. At the end of a crazy final, France were edged on penalties by Argentina.
It was the trophy he wanted the most. It was the finish he wanted the most. And didn’t he put the show for it. A goal from the spot kick. A goal in extra time to put Argentina up ahead again. And a penalty as sweet as the breeze around. Lionel Messi did it all at the Lusail Stadium to claim the trophy he wanted the dearest and will now get to lift the World Cup in his last World Cup match.
After a 3-3 thriller across 120 minutes, Argentina bested France 4-2 on penalties to win their third World Cup, after 36 years. earlier, while Argentina took a 2-0 lead via Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, it was Kylian Mbappe, who got France back with a brace inside 97 seconds in the second half. Messi would find the net once again in extra time but France hit back via another goal from Mbappe from the spot.
In the history of World Cup, title has been decided based on penalty shoot outs only twice. In 1994, Brazil scored a 3-2 over Italy in the final with Roberto Baggie missing the fifth penalty for Italy. In 2006, Italy won against France 5-4 in penalties.
France coach Didier Deschamps reverted to his preferred lineup after centre back Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot shook off a virus that had ruled them out of the semi-final against Morocco. Upamecano starts alongside Raphael Varane after the Manchester United defender also recovered from a virus, while Olivier Giroud starts up front flanked by Kylian Mbappe on his left and Ousmane Dembele on his right.
With Messi clearly the standout man after Argentina’s penalty win, you have to give a hand to France.
The manner in which they fought back from nowhere to take the South American side the distance is quite some feat.
This is definitively a World Cup final for the ages.
