After a 120 minute hard-fought encounter and six goals thriller Messi’s Argentina have the last laugh with winning the World Cup 2022 title defeating the reigning champions France in tie-breaker at the Lusail Stadium .
With a huge uncertainty of 90 minutes and the extra 30 minutes game ended on 3-3 draw and the championship was decided by tie-breaker with Argentina won by 4-2.
It was third title for Argentina after the ‘Great Maradona’ won the feat in 1986 and after a long interval of 36 years another great footballer of all times Lionel Mesi regains the trophy at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Right after the kick off by France, up to 10 minutes Argentina enjoyed the possession much, when they also rushed into the danger area at least for three times.
France, on the 14th minute could break the defence to enter into the Argentine box, when Mbappe provided a through pass but to no avail.
On the17th minute, it was a real threat for France with a unique move through the right side, Messi set a good pass for Di Maria, who was left free inside the box, but the veteran forward could not keep the ball into net but to unbelievably shot the ball far over the post.
Argentina continue their danger processions following a survival of a free kick from some five feet away to box, had a penalty on the 20th minute and Messi converted a penalty to lead Argentina.
It was also a lovely build up and strong proceeding down the right, Messi made the final pass the ball for onrushing Di Maria but Juventus winger suckered Ousmane Dembele into a clumsy foul in the area, albeit with minimal contact, and Messi duly scored his sixth goal of the tournament, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way to enhance his hopes of elusive World Cup glory (1-0).
After 15 minutes of taking lead, Argentina doubled the lead with Di Maria shot the keeper giving no chance when kept his cool having a perfect help from Mac Allister inside the area. It was a quick counter attack when Argentines just destroyed the back-line of France, who looked at a loss to deal with constant attacks, as most of the Di Maria was left free inside the area.
McAllister, taking the ball from Messi released for Di Maria, the experienced forward, who was in the starting list for the first time this World Cup, just showed some of his glimpse of experienced foot-work beating hapless goalkeeper sending ball into far post (2-0).
France coach Didier Deschamps, who 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, initially looked the newly assembled squad was clicked, as the full opening 45 minutes Argentina dominated the game.
But the Deschamps boys turned into danger to justify the coach’s choice, making a surprised bounce back after the break to equalise level at the late hour through Kylian Mbappe. After trailing by 0-2 France were onslaught just from the restart the match after the opening 45 minutes and continued the stance to put Argentina into back with enormous pressure and Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in a span of two minutes on 80 and 81st minute to make an incredible 2-2 draw.
Kylian Mbappe tees up a France free kick inside the Argentina half. He becomes just the fourth player (Zidane, Pele, Vava) to score in two World Cup finals. He is only the second (Vava) to score in consecutive World Cup finals.
On the 79th minute France won a penalty when Nicolas Otamendi gets himself in as last defender tangled and brings down on gaol-bound Randal Kolo Muani inside the area and Les Bleus have a huge lifeline, as referee made no late to call for penalty, Mbappe found enough placement and power to get it past the keeper into the bottom left corner on 80th (1-2).
Mbappe scored the equaliser right in the next minute when he one-to-one went with Marcus Thuram and crashed the ball across Emi Martinez (2-2).
And 90 minutes plus added time don't separate these two as it ends 2-2 in regulation period.
In the extra time also France looked a bit more aggressive but Argentina took a few minutes to make real response with Messi scored his second of the match and the seventh in this World Cup on 109 - minute to give Argentina 3-2 lead but Kylian Mbappe again levelled the margin just four minutes of 120 minutes game’s final whistle (3-3).
Finally in the penalty shootout Argentina converted four and France could score only two when goalkeeper of Argentina denied one and one was went outside the post.