Argentina Wins the World Cup, Defeats France (3-3) 4-2 pen.

Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, after a thriller in which they beat France following a penalty shootout. After 2-2 in the regular 90 minutes, they were more concentrated when taking the penalties, scoring four and allowing just two goals.

Messi, Dybala, Paredes and Montiel scored for the Argentinians, while Mbappe and Kolo Mouani netted for France, with Koman and Tchouameni.

The fans had the opportunity to see one of the best finals ever, an unreal 120 minutes. Lionel Messi, on one, and Kylian Mbappe, on the other side, marked this spectacle, scoring a brace, and a hat-trick, respectively.

Argentina took the lead in the 23rd minute when Messi hit the back of the net from the penalty kick, as Ousman Dembele brought down Angel Di Maria in the box. Di Maria, who was the motor of the Argentinian side in the opening 45 minutes, scored the second goal, eleven minutes later, shocking the French unit and providing his team with a comfortable lead before halftime.

Lionel Messi kissing the World Cup ❤️https://t.co/pkH40q7Cmu

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 18, 2022

Both teams traded blows in the second, but mostly in the midfield, and it looked like the Argentinians controlled the pace on the field. However, France exploded in the last 10 minutes, scoring two goals in less than a minute and a half, with Mbappe delivering both hits. The first was from the penalty, following a handball in the box, and the second came as a result of a perfectly placed kick from the left side of the box that ended beside Martinez into the net.

Messi was in the main role once again, scoring on a put-back, with Lloris deflecting the ball right in front of the No.10. That was in the 106th minute, deep into the extra time. Yet, two minutes before the end, we saw another penalty due to handball, and Mbappe kept his calm to beat Martinez for the third time.

The last few minutes were wild, with chances on both sides and Kolo Mouani emerging as the tragic figure of the French team. He had a chance to beat the goalkeeper a minute before the end, staying one-on-one but hitting Martinez in his leg because he hit the ball as hard as possible instead of routinely passing the ball into the net.

On the other side, Lautaro Martinez once again missed a dead chance, continuing his pretty negative streak that started at this World Cup. Inter’s player embarrassed himself one more time.

Lionel Messi might have won MOTM but this 120+3' save from Emiliano Martinez saved Argentina's World Cup 🇦🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/R9Lh0oxhHR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022

After 1978 and 1986, Argentina is the champion of the world, and with this trophy, Lionel Messi became immortal, and his bid for the GOAT debate received a massive boost. With seven goals in the tournament and three assists, PSG’s player was unstoppable, though four of his goals were from penalty.

He won the Golden Ball, while his teammate from PSG, Mbappe, received a Golden Ball, with eight goals netted. Mbappe became the all-time leader of goals scored in the finals, with four at the moment.

Yesterday, Croatia beat Morocco in the game for third place, 2-1, staying on the podium, following second place in Russia.

The next World Cup is in 2026, with three countries hosting that tournament, USA, Canada, and Mexico.