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A dream fulfilled: Argentina's Messi (ah) lays hands on WC trophy, beats France on penalties

Messi is definitively in the pantheon of soccer’s greatest ever players, alongside Pele — a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil — and Diego Maradona, the late Argentina great with whom Messi was so often compared.

FIFA World Cup
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Published : Dec 18, 2022, 7:12 PM IST

Updated : Dec 19, 2022, 12:43 AM IST

Match Report:

LUSAIL, Qatar: Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion. Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw Sunday to claim a third World Cup title despite Kylian Mbappé scoring the first hat trick in a final in 56 years.

Now there’s no debate. Messi is definitively in the pantheon of soccer’s greatest ever players, alongside Pelé — a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil — and Diego Maradona, the late Argentina great with whom Messi was so often compared.

Messi achieved what Maradona did in 1986 and dominated a World Cup for Argentina. The torch will one day pass to Mbappé, whose late goals lit up one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament’s 92-year history and emulated Geoff Hurst’s hat trick for England in 1966, but not just yet.

“Let’s go, Argentina!” Messi roared into a microphone on the field in the post-match celebrations after playing in a record 26th World Cup match. Messi was in scintillating form from the start, putting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and playing a part in Angel Di Maria’s goal that made it 2-0 after 36 minutes.

Mbappé, on the other hand, was anonymous until scoring two goals in a 97-second span — one a penalty, the other a volley from just inside the area — to take the game to extra time. Messi tapped in his second goal in the 108th minute, leaving Argentina on the brink of the title once again, but there was still time for another penalty from Mbappé to take the thrilling game to a shootout.

Gonzalo Montiel scored the clinching penalty kick after Kingsley Coman had an attempt saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.

“This is my dream,” Martinez said. Europe’s run of four straight World Cup winners came to an end. The last South American champion was Brazil, and that was also in Asia — when Japan and South Korea hosted the tournament in 2002.

Argentina won its previous World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986. In Qatar, the country backed up its victory from last year’s Copa America, its first major trophy since 1993. It’s quite the climax to Messi’s international career, which might not yet be over at the age of 35 because he is playing as well as ever. After all, he finished the World Cup with seven goals, one behind Mbappé’s tournament leading eight.

It was quite the finale, too, for a unique World Cup — the first to be played in the Middle East and the Arab world. For FIFA and the Qatari organizers, a final between two major soccer nations and the world’s two best players represented a perfect way to cap a tournament laced in controversy ever since the scandal-shrouded vote in 2010 to give the event to a tiny Arab emirate.

The years-long scrutiny since has focused on the switch of dates from the traditional June-July period to November-December, strong criticism of how migrant workers have been treated, and then unease about taking soccer’s biggest event to a nation where homosexual acts are illegal.

On Sunday, there was one narrative at play for most people: Could Messi do it? He could, despite the 23-year-old Mbappé — Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain — doing all he could to emulate Pelé by winning his first two World Cups. Messi became the first player to score in the group stage and each of the knockout rounds at a single World Cup.

Ever since Argentina’s unthinkable 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, Messi has been a man on a mission — embracing the responsibility of leading his national team at his final World Cup and playing in the spirit of Maradona by coupling his dazzling skills with rarely seen aggression.

Maradona never scored in a final, though. Messi has, allowing him to erase memories of his only other World Cup final — in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany 1-0 and Messi squandered a great chance in the second half. On that night at the Maracanã Stadium, Messi stared down at the golden World Cup trophy that escaped him.

Eight years later, he will raise it aloft in the biggest moment of a career like no other. (With AP)

Mbappe has scored his third goal. France and Argentina are 3-3.

GOAL!

Lionel Messi does it for Argentina. Argentina leads 3-2.

First half of extra time has ended, we proceed into the next half.

At the end of normal time, France and Argentina are 2-2. The final match has gone into extra time. Kylian Mbappe after scoring first goal on a penalty, provided the lead just one minute after netting, on a volley.

--------------------------------

2 GOALS IN A ROW!

The game is not over yet as France infuses life into a game dominated by Argentina. Mbappe scores through penalty and then gets another. All this in a matter of two minutes. It's 2-2 now. Mbappe has brought his country back on track. Game on!

--------------------------------

Argentina is certainly dominating the game, with more possession and are playing the attacking game while France looks lethargic. The score stands at 2-0 in favour of Argentina at 67th minute of the game.

  • Argentine have 56.6 percent of possession while France have 43.4.
  • They have 4 shots on target while France have none.
  • Argentina have 4 offsides, while France have 0.
  • Corners won: Argentina have 3, France have 1.
  • 334 number of passes for Argentina, France have 257

Second half is underway

At half time, goals from Lionel Messi through penalty and Angel Di Maria has provided Argentina a lead of 2-0 in the first half of the game against France.

Messi scored on a 23rd-minute penalty kick after a foul on Di Maria. Thirteen minutes later Di Maria finished off a flowing team move involving a deft flick from Messi. Messi now has 12 World Cup goals — the same as Brazil great Pelé — and is the first player to score in the group stage and every round of the knockout stage in a single edition of the tournament.

--------------------------------

-- Second Goal, it's Di Maria this time, and what a pass from Lionel Messi. The stuff of folklore!

Attempts at Goal

Argentina: 5, France: 0

Attempts on target

Argentina: 2

France: 0

GOAL!

Lionel Messi strikes through penalty, Argentina smells blood! And the magic continues...

-- Lionel Messi has scored on a penalty to make it 1-0 for Argentina against France. It was Messi’s 12th World Cup goal.

--------------------------------

Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthaus. Messi’s games have been spread over five World Cups, starting in 2006. He has 11 goals in total, tied for sixth in the all-time list. Messi has said this is likely to be his last World Cup.

--------------------------------

Here we go!

-- National anthems of the respective teams are underway...

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Lusail stadium for the World Cup final. About 45 minutes before kickoff, Macron was chatting in the VVIP section with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who played for four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who has had to watch the entire World Cup from the sidelines due to an injury.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final.

Pogba scored in the final when France won the 2018 World Cup but was not fit for selection at this tournament. Macron also attended the final four years ago, when France beat Croatia 4-2, and later celebrated with players in the locker room.

--------------------------------

  • The closing ceremony for the World Cup featured artists from around the world performing songs from the official soundtrack of the tournament in Qatar. The performers at Lusail stadium included Nigerian singer Davido and Qatari-based songwriter Aisha, Congolese artist Gims and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna.
    Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team.
    Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team.
    A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France.
    A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France.
  • The show, featuring fireworks and a light show, was meant to celebrate the world coming together for the monthlong tournament in the Gulf emirate.

The closing ceremony kicks off at the Lusail Stadium...

"I hope we will make it to get the three stars. Looking forward to see our victory," Antony Lyon, a professor from Paris, who has been following French football for over two decades, told ETV Bharat.

The lineups for the World Cup final:

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.

France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

--------------------------------

The Badshah of Bollywood in the house! Shah Rukh Khan appeared at the Mumbai studio that analyses FIFA World Cup games in Qatar, and did a Wayne Rooney, which leaves us wondering what this guy can't do?

This was followed it up by Shah Rukh's signature step where he spread both his hands. Rooney aped it to perfection. Atmosphere building up in India!

"Pathaan is the guy who you call at the last minute, when you are all tied up and you can't find a solution or you can't get a goal. And you know the guy is going to get it for you, when you are in trouble, when you need a break, when you need a goal, when you need a victory. Who are you gonna call? Mr. Wayne Rooney," he said as Pathaan hit the theatres next month on the 25th.

--------------------------------

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly left for Qatar this morning to attend the World Cup and he is rooting for Argentina's Messi.

At the airport, he told ETV Bharat:

"The World Cup final is always anybody's game. Everyone will jump to win and whoever has the skill, stamina and strength, the cup will be theirs. Last time champions France are playing together for a long time now. Mbappe is a very mature player now and he plays with Messi in the same team. As a result, both of them know each other. Argentina will have to perform well to beat them. The reverse is also true."

--------------------------------

The final showdown is here. At the illuminated Lusail Stadium in Qatar will be the rivetting clash between Argentina and defending champions France.

As the intensity builds, anticipation runs sky-high, and prayers to rouse Lionel Messi to get through the final hurdle -- the only smudge in his otherwise glittering career -- take over even among the atheists, there is probably one certainty. We are in for a grand contest at the grandest of stages -- the FIFA World Cup final.

Rolling the reel to the past matches, Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 with goals from Messi and Julian Alvarez. France too stormed into the finals, halting Morocco's rise 2-0.

Head-to-Head: The stats have Argentina's dominance written all over it. Both the sides have faced each other 12 times where Argentina have won six, France have defeated them 3 times and three matches have ended in a draw.

Total matches: 12

Argentina: 6

France: 3

Draw: 3

Head-to-Head in World Cups:

In World Cups too, Argentines have asserted their domination with both sides facing each other three times where Argentina won 2 of the games and France had a sole win.

Total matches: 3

Argentina: 2

France: 1

Draw: 0

Additional fodder for the aficionados:

  • Brazil was the last team from South America to win the WC trophy in 2002, thanks to Ronaldo's incredible run. It's been a long time waiting and Argentina will go on to become the first team since then to bring back the cup in the continent.
  • It may be too early for the choker's tag to be labelled with the Argentinian side but they have lost their last two finals in 2014 and 1990.
  • The run for the golden boot has intensified with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi tied at 5 goals each, Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez have 4 goals apiece. History records reveal that Ronaldo, with 8 goals in the tournament back in 2002, was the last player to have won the boot from the winning team.
  • Brazil have held the title five times, Germany and Italy together have four to their name. In Argentina's win, the country will join the elite club with three or more victories.
  • If France wins tonight, they will become the only third team to have defended the title, the previous being Italy who won in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
  • Much to the joy of Argentina's fans, their team have scored the opening goal against their opposition in the last six matches.
  • In a World Cup tournament, Brazil stands atop with 237 goals, next to them are Germany with 232 goals. Argentina current number of goals stands at 149 and are on the cusp of becoming the third team with maximum number of goals and earn the distinction of 150 goals.
  • France have been dominant in the World Cups. They have reached the finals four times in the last seven times the team featured in the tournament.

Welcome to the Live updates of Argentina vs France at the FIFA World Cup final...

Match Report:

LUSAIL, Qatar: Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion. Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw Sunday to claim a third World Cup title despite Kylian Mbappé scoring the first hat trick in a final in 56 years.

Now there’s no debate. Messi is definitively in the pantheon of soccer’s greatest ever players, alongside Pelé — a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil — and Diego Maradona, the late Argentina great with whom Messi was so often compared.

Messi achieved what Maradona did in 1986 and dominated a World Cup for Argentina. The torch will one day pass to Mbappé, whose late goals lit up one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament’s 92-year history and emulated Geoff Hurst’s hat trick for England in 1966, but not just yet.

“Let’s go, Argentina!” Messi roared into a microphone on the field in the post-match celebrations after playing in a record 26th World Cup match. Messi was in scintillating form from the start, putting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and playing a part in Angel Di Maria’s goal that made it 2-0 after 36 minutes.

Mbappé, on the other hand, was anonymous until scoring two goals in a 97-second span — one a penalty, the other a volley from just inside the area — to take the game to extra time. Messi tapped in his second goal in the 108th minute, leaving Argentina on the brink of the title once again, but there was still time for another penalty from Mbappé to take the thrilling game to a shootout.

Gonzalo Montiel scored the clinching penalty kick after Kingsley Coman had an attempt saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.

“This is my dream,” Martinez said. Europe’s run of four straight World Cup winners came to an end. The last South American champion was Brazil, and that was also in Asia — when Japan and South Korea hosted the tournament in 2002.

Argentina won its previous World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986. In Qatar, the country backed up its victory from last year’s Copa America, its first major trophy since 1993. It’s quite the climax to Messi’s international career, which might not yet be over at the age of 35 because he is playing as well as ever. After all, he finished the World Cup with seven goals, one behind Mbappé’s tournament leading eight.

It was quite the finale, too, for a unique World Cup — the first to be played in the Middle East and the Arab world. For FIFA and the Qatari organizers, a final between two major soccer nations and the world’s two best players represented a perfect way to cap a tournament laced in controversy ever since the scandal-shrouded vote in 2010 to give the event to a tiny Arab emirate.

The years-long scrutiny since has focused on the switch of dates from the traditional June-July period to November-December, strong criticism of how migrant workers have been treated, and then unease about taking soccer’s biggest event to a nation where homosexual acts are illegal.

On Sunday, there was one narrative at play for most people: Could Messi do it? He could, despite the 23-year-old Mbappé — Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain — doing all he could to emulate Pelé by winning his first two World Cups. Messi became the first player to score in the group stage and each of the knockout rounds at a single World Cup.

Ever since Argentina’s unthinkable 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, Messi has been a man on a mission — embracing the responsibility of leading his national team at his final World Cup and playing in the spirit of Maradona by coupling his dazzling skills with rarely seen aggression.

Maradona never scored in a final, though. Messi has, allowing him to erase memories of his only other World Cup final — in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany 1-0 and Messi squandered a great chance in the second half. On that night at the Maracanã Stadium, Messi stared down at the golden World Cup trophy that escaped him.

Eight years later, he will raise it aloft in the biggest moment of a career like no other. (With AP)

Mbappe has scored his third goal. France and Argentina are 3-3.

GOAL!

Lionel Messi does it for Argentina. Argentina leads 3-2.

First half of extra time has ended, we proceed into the next half.

At the end of normal time, France and Argentina are 2-2. The final match has gone into extra time. Kylian Mbappe after scoring first goal on a penalty, provided the lead just one minute after netting, on a volley.

--------------------------------

2 GOALS IN A ROW!

The game is not over yet as France infuses life into a game dominated by Argentina. Mbappe scores through penalty and then gets another. All this in a matter of two minutes. It's 2-2 now. Mbappe has brought his country back on track. Game on!

--------------------------------

Argentina is certainly dominating the game, with more possession and are playing the attacking game while France looks lethargic. The score stands at 2-0 in favour of Argentina at 67th minute of the game.

  • Argentine have 56.6 percent of possession while France have 43.4.
  • They have 4 shots on target while France have none.
  • Argentina have 4 offsides, while France have 0.
  • Corners won: Argentina have 3, France have 1.
  • 334 number of passes for Argentina, France have 257

Second half is underway

At half time, goals from Lionel Messi through penalty and Angel Di Maria has provided Argentina a lead of 2-0 in the first half of the game against France.

Messi scored on a 23rd-minute penalty kick after a foul on Di Maria. Thirteen minutes later Di Maria finished off a flowing team move involving a deft flick from Messi. Messi now has 12 World Cup goals — the same as Brazil great Pelé — and is the first player to score in the group stage and every round of the knockout stage in a single edition of the tournament.

--------------------------------

-- Second Goal, it's Di Maria this time, and what a pass from Lionel Messi. The stuff of folklore!

Attempts at Goal

Argentina: 5, France: 0

Attempts on target

Argentina: 2

France: 0

GOAL!

Lionel Messi strikes through penalty, Argentina smells blood! And the magic continues...

-- Lionel Messi has scored on a penalty to make it 1-0 for Argentina against France. It was Messi’s 12th World Cup goal.

--------------------------------

Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthaus. Messi’s games have been spread over five World Cups, starting in 2006. He has 11 goals in total, tied for sixth in the all-time list. Messi has said this is likely to be his last World Cup.

--------------------------------

Here we go!

-- National anthems of the respective teams are underway...

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Lusail stadium for the World Cup final. About 45 minutes before kickoff, Macron was chatting in the VVIP section with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who played for four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who has had to watch the entire World Cup from the sidelines due to an injury.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final.

Pogba scored in the final when France won the 2018 World Cup but was not fit for selection at this tournament. Macron also attended the final four years ago, when France beat Croatia 4-2, and later celebrated with players in the locker room.

--------------------------------

  • The closing ceremony for the World Cup featured artists from around the world performing songs from the official soundtrack of the tournament in Qatar. The performers at Lusail stadium included Nigerian singer Davido and Qatari-based songwriter Aisha, Congolese artist Gims and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna.
    Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team.
    Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team.
    A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France.
    A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France.
  • The show, featuring fireworks and a light show, was meant to celebrate the world coming together for the monthlong tournament in the Gulf emirate.

The closing ceremony kicks off at the Lusail Stadium...

"I hope we will make it to get the three stars. Looking forward to see our victory," Antony Lyon, a professor from Paris, who has been following French football for over two decades, told ETV Bharat.

The lineups for the World Cup final:

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.

France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

--------------------------------

The Badshah of Bollywood in the house! Shah Rukh Khan appeared at the Mumbai studio that analyses FIFA World Cup games in Qatar, and did a Wayne Rooney, which leaves us wondering what this guy can't do?

This was followed it up by Shah Rukh's signature step where he spread both his hands. Rooney aped it to perfection. Atmosphere building up in India!

"Pathaan is the guy who you call at the last minute, when you are all tied up and you can't find a solution or you can't get a goal. And you know the guy is going to get it for you, when you are in trouble, when you need a break, when you need a goal, when you need a victory. Who are you gonna call? Mr. Wayne Rooney," he said as Pathaan hit the theatres next month on the 25th.

--------------------------------

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly left for Qatar this morning to attend the World Cup and he is rooting for Argentina's Messi.

At the airport, he told ETV Bharat:

"The World Cup final is always anybody's game. Everyone will jump to win and whoever has the skill, stamina and strength, the cup will be theirs. Last time champions France are playing together for a long time now. Mbappe is a very mature player now and he plays with Messi in the same team. As a result, both of them know each other. Argentina will have to perform well to beat them. The reverse is also true."

--------------------------------

The final showdown is here. At the illuminated Lusail Stadium in Qatar will be the rivetting clash between Argentina and defending champions France.

As the intensity builds, anticipation runs sky-high, and prayers to rouse Lionel Messi to get through the final hurdle -- the only smudge in his otherwise glittering career -- take over even among the atheists, there is probably one certainty. We are in for a grand contest at the grandest of stages -- the FIFA World Cup final.

Rolling the reel to the past matches, Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 with goals from Messi and Julian Alvarez. France too stormed into the finals, halting Morocco's rise 2-0.

Head-to-Head: The stats have Argentina's dominance written all over it. Both the sides have faced each other 12 times where Argentina have won six, France have defeated them 3 times and three matches have ended in a draw.

Total matches: 12

Argentina: 6

France: 3

Draw: 3

Head-to-Head in World Cups:

In World Cups too, Argentines have asserted their domination with both sides facing each other three times where Argentina won 2 of the games and France had a sole win.

Total matches: 3

Argentina: 2

France: 1

Draw: 0

Additional fodder for the aficionados:

  • Brazil was the last team from South America to win the WC trophy in 2002, thanks to Ronaldo's incredible run. It's been a long time waiting and Argentina will go on to become the first team since then to bring back the cup in the continent.
  • It may be too early for the choker's tag to be labelled with the Argentinian side but they have lost their last two finals in 2014 and 1990.
  • The run for the golden boot has intensified with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi tied at 5 goals each, Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez have 4 goals apiece. History records reveal that Ronaldo, with 8 goals in the tournament back in 2002, was the last player to have won the boot from the winning team.
  • Brazil have held the title five times, Germany and Italy together have four to their name. In Argentina's win, the country will join the elite club with three or more victories.
  • If France wins tonight, they will become the only third team to have defended the title, the previous being Italy who won in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
  • Much to the joy of Argentina's fans, their team have scored the opening goal against their opposition in the last six matches.
  • In a World Cup tournament, Brazil stands atop with 237 goals, next to them are Germany with 232 goals. Argentina current number of goals stands at 149 and are on the cusp of becoming the third team with maximum number of goals and earn the distinction of 150 goals.
  • France have been dominant in the World Cups. They have reached the finals four times in the last seven times the team featured in the tournament.

Welcome to the Live updates of Argentina vs France at the FIFA World Cup final...

Last Updated : Dec 19, 2022, 12:43 AM IST

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