Argentina vs France, FIFA World Cup 2022: After a 3-3 thriller across 120 minutes, Argentina bested France 4-2 on penalties to win their third World Cup, after 36 years.
World Cup 2022 Final Live Scorecard: Argentina vs. France: Argentina won its third World Cup victory by defeating France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw that featured two goals from the 35-year-old Messi and a hat trick from France forward Kylian Mbappé. This was likely the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history.
Messi and Mbappé converted the first penalties for their respective teams. Emi Martinez of Argentina stopped a shot from Kingsley Coman, and after Aurelien Tchouameni of France missed, Gonzalo Montiel had the chance to put the game to a conclusion. He successfully converted the penalty to the left, setting up a riot of cheers.
Since 2006, Europe has won four consecutive World Cups, but that streak came to an end. Brazil won the last South American championship, which took place in Asia in 2002 when Japan and South Korea jointly hosted the event.
Argentina repeated its Copa America triumph from the previous year in Qatar, claiming its first significant prize since 1993. It’s a thrilling conclusion to Messi’s international career, which is still ongoing. After the game, he declared that he will keep competing for his country.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.
Lionel Messi on Sunday insisted that he is not retiring from international football after guiding Argentina to the World Cup glory in Qatar.
“Obviously, I wanted to complete my career with this, (I) can’t ask for more,” Messi said. “Finishing my career this way is impressive. After this, what else? I have a Copa América, a World Cup. Almost at the very end.
“I love soccer, what I do. I enjoy being part of the national team, the group. I want to enjoy a couple of more matches being a world champion.”
As Messi wins the biggest prize that eluded him for his whole career, for many fans, he also settles the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) debate, once and for all. While undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever play the game, the FIFA World Cup trophy-sized hole in his cabinet was often cited as the biggest gap in his career. Not anymore. Like his footballing predecessor, Diego Maradona, Messi has shepherded his football-crazy country to the pinnacle of the world game.
Messi: The Greatest of all time