Lionel Messi and Argentina are the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup champions after beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after it ended 3-3 after extra time in Sunday evening’s final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
It was a shootout that decided the game, that saw France come back twice, first from two goals down to level matters at 2-2 at 90 minutes, and then again in extra time after Argentina had grabbed the lead again.
France may geographically be a lot closer to Qatar, but Argentinean supporters at the stadium outnumbered the French many times over. Both nations were chasing a third World Cup trophy, but while France were defending champions, Argentina last won the trophy 36 years ago in 1986.
And it was the Argentineans with the early impetus, Alexis Mac Allister testing Hugo Lloris with a long shot in the fifth minute, but it was safely dealt with by the French captain. Rodrigo De Paul’s effort three minutes later was deflected wide.
Angel Di Maria fired over in the 16th minute as Argentina continued to dominate the proceedings and had the lion’s share of possession.
And that domination was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute after Di Maria was brought down by Dembele, the French defender clipping the Argentinean’s ankle as he dribbled into the box.
The final was not only a battle for the Mundial but had also set up a showdown between PSG teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Boot, as they had both gone into the game tied on five goals.
And it was Messi who would take the early advantage, as he stepped up to score from the penalty spot, sending Lloris the wrong way for his sixth goal of the tournament.
It was 2-0 in the 36th minute. A memorable team goal by the Argentinians, with Di Maria at the end of the move to finish off after running onto a perfect pass from Mac Allister. It was Messi who started it in his own half with a great one-touch pass to Julian Alvarez, who in turn set Mac Allister free down the right, before his pin-point through ball for the goalscorer.
It was a first half to forget for the French, who failed to get a single shot at goal and decided to make tactical substitutes as early as the 40th minute with Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele being replaced by Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. The French had flu in their camp in the build-up to the final, and perhaps that was a reason they were a pale shadow of the team many expected.
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Lloris was back in the thick of things saving from De Paul in the 50th minute, as the Argentineans looked to maintain their stranglehold on the game. Alvarez’s attempt on the hour mark also needed a save from the French skipper.
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Kolo Muani’s header attempt in the 68th minute was off target, but it was the first attempt the French had at goal. Two minutes later a second followed, but Mbappe fired over.
Just when things looked to be going Argentina’s way, France were handed a lifeline in the 79th minute when Kolo Muani was brought down in the box by Nicolas Otamendi. Mbappe picked up the ball to take the spot kick and made no mistake to make it 2-1, his power enough to beat Emiliano Martinez, who had dived in the right direction.
And all of a sudden France were back in the game as Mbappe volleyed in the equaliser, an incredible finish after an assist from Thuram, less than 100 seconds after scoring the penalty.
It was 2-2, and Mbappe with seven goals was now the leading goalscorer, one ahead of Messi.
Lloris had to make a good save to stop Messi’s goal-bound effort in the 97th minute, but at the end of 90 minutes and stoppage time, the scores remained level and extra time, and perhaps penalties, was needed.
Extra time followed, but the question was would a winner come in the extra 30 minutes, with all previous games needing extra time at this World Cup going to penalties?
After a goalless first 15 minutes, it seemed to be heading that way, as the French defence, Dayotchanculle Upamecano in particular, made some key blocks to deny Argentina the go-in-front goal.
Lloris saved from Messi early in the second half of extra time, but could do nothing to stop the Argentinean in the 109th minute as he tapped in from close range, following up after Lautaro Martinez’s initial attempt was saved. Messi back with Mbappe on seven goals.
The drama continued and in the 116th minute France were awarded a penalty for a handball by Gonzalo Montiel, after the ball struck his elbow.
Mbappe stepped up to take the spot kick, and fired in for his hat-trick and to make back as top goalscorer with his eighth goal of the tournament, to level matters at 3-3.
Emiliano Martinez made a terrific save to stop Kolo Muani just before the end of the 120 minutes of action, but in the end, it would be penalties that would decide who lifted the trophy.
Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty while Aurelien Tchouameni shot wide, and Gonzalo Montiel scored the all-important winner to make it 4-2 in the shootout.
Argentina World Champions for the first time in 36, and Messi finally gets to lift the trophy.
