Google breaks 25-year record during Argentina-France WC final in Qatar

It was a record-breaking night on Sunday (December 18) for Lionel Messi and Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Off the field, search engine giant Google too broke a record during Argentina versus France final.

Also read: All winners of FIFA World Cup 2022 awards & prize money details

As 80,000-plus spectators, mostly Argentines, watched the thrilling summit clash at the Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen, there were millions of others who were glued to TV sets and searching on the internet about the game.

According to Google, the search traffic was the highest ever in 25 years during the FIFA World Cup 2022 final.

Also read: Full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022

Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to Twitter on Monday morning (December 19) to talk about the record.

“Search recorded its highest ever traffic in 25 years during the final of #FIFAWorldCup , it was like the entire world was searching about one thing!” he tweeted.

Search recorded its highest ever traffic in 25 years during the final of #FIFAWorldCup , it was like the entire world was searching about one thing!

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) December 19, 2022

In another tweet, he spoke about the game. “One of the greatest games ever. Well played Argentina and France. Jogo Bonito. Nobody deserves it more than #messi, imho the greatest ever to play the game. What a swansong. #FIFAWorldCup (sic).”

One of the greatest games ever. Well played Argentina and France. Jogo Bonito. Nobody deserves it more than #messi, imho the greatest ever to play the game. What a swansong. #FIFAWorldCup

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) December 18, 2022

On the field, Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick went in vain as Argentina edged France 4-2 on penalties to win its third World Cup trophy. Messi inspired the team to glory by scoring two goals and another in the penalty shootout.

Mbappe was the first man in 56 years to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. The last man was Geoff Hurst in 1966 when England won the trophy beating West Germany 4-2.

The 35-year-old broke several records in Qatar on way to lifting the trophy. He is the third Argentine captain to win football’s biggest prize.

Messi became the first man to win two Golden Ball awards. He was voted the best player in Qatar and had claimed the prize in Brazil too in 2014 when his team lost to Germany 1-0 in the final.

He also became the most-capped World Cup player as he played his 26th match in the final. He broke Germany’s Lothar Matthaus’ record (25).