Messi inspires Argentina to World Cup title in thrilling final in Qatar
Captain Lionel Messi scored two goals and another in the penalty shootout to inspire Argentina to the FIFA World Cup 2022 title at the Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen, Qatar, on Sunday night (December 18).
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022 awards, prize money: Golden Boot, Golden Ball and other winners
In the final against defending champion France, 35-year-old Messi’s dream of winning a World Cup trophy was fulfilled after a thrilling contest that was decided on penalties.
This was Argentina’s first World Cup trophy since 1986, which the team won under Diego Maradona. Overall, this was La Albiceleste’s third World Cup trophy (1978, 1986, 2022).
Also read: Full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022
Epic final
Argentina won 4-2 on spot kicks with Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and Damian Martinez scoring. For France, Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani found the target while Kingsley Coman’s attempt was saved by Emi Martinez, and Aurelien Tchouameni missed.
After extra time, the score was level 3-3.
It was an epic final that had its share of twists and turns and it came down to the brilliance of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammates Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick, to lift their teams.
Also read: Messi vs Mbappe: Stats, records, honours
Argentina twice had the lead – 2-0, and 3-2 only to see a France comeback. After it was 2-2 in 90 minutes, Messi again put his team in advantage in the 108th minute but Mbappe equalised in the 118th minute, scoring from the penalty spot.
Messi finished with seven goals in the tournament and overall 13 in World Cups. He later won the Golden Ball, becoming the first man to win the award twice. He had claimed it in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany 1-0 in the final in Brazil.
It was a great comeback by Argentina after being stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in the opener at the same stadium on November 22.
The moment he’s dreamed about 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xGq3thFQvI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022
Mbappe’s 2 goals in 97 seconds
Earlier, France made a stunning comeback into the game in the second half with Mbappe’s two goals in the space of 97 seconds.
Argentina held a 2-0 lead until the 80th minute but Mbappe had other plans as he first converted a penalty and scored a second just one minute later.
In the first half, Messi scored in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after a foul on Angel Di Maria.
This was Messi’s 12th World Cup goal and sixth in the tournament in Qatar.
Di Maria made it 2-0 thirteen minutes later with Messi involved in a superb team move into the opposition box.
The next edition of the FIFA World Cup will be played in 2026 with the US, Canada, and Mexico with the participation of 48 teams, an increase of 12 from the Qatar tournament.
Argentina’s route to FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy
- Lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1
- Beat Mexico 2-0
- Beat Poland 2-0
- Round of 16: Beat Australia 2-1
- Quarter-final: Beat the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties (2-2 after extra time)
- Semi-final: Beat Croatia 3-0
- Final: Beat France 4-2 on penalties (3-3 after extra time)
🎶 𝙈𝙐𝘾𝙃𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙎 🎶 pic.twitter.com/TVVt04TVMW
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022