World Cup: Argentina triumph after classic final

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Argentina 3 - 3 France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)

Lionel Messi finally achieved his World Cup dream 

Argentina won their third crown on penalties in one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history.

Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France opposite number Kylian Mbappe. France's own superstar scored a hat-trick but still ended up on the losing side in Qatar.

Argentina World Cup Champions 2022

Photo credit - Joseph Hollick | Flickr 

Messi looked to be securing the one major honour missing from his glittering collection in comfort as Argentina were cruising with a two-goal lead.

There was then an explosive intervention from Mbappe, who scored two goals inside two minutes late on.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute following Ousmane Dembele's foul on Angel di Maria. It made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament.

Interior of Lusail Stadium in Qatar

He then contributed a delicate touch within a magnificent counter-attack that ended with Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later.

Argentina were untroubled until the closing stages, only for Mbappe to give France a lifeline from the penalty spot with nine minutes left - then restore equality with a magnificent volley moments later.

Messi bundled Argentina back in front in extra time. However, Mbappe completed his memorable hat trick from the spot a few moments later. Everyone around the world was stunned. What an amazing 120 minutes of football. What was going to happen now?

Argentina finally triumph after penalties

The two greats of Messi and Mbappe opened the scoring. However, Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman, before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup for his country and send the people of Argentina into party mode. 

Highlights

Footage from BBC Sport - YouTube

One YouTube user commented: "Probably the best match I've ever seen. The pure drama, the Messi story, the normal time comeback, the Mbappe volley, the extra time comeback and the crazy final few minutes of extra time. And of course the sheer drama that is penalties...and all that in a World Cup final. Messi completing football was the icing on the cake. This is why we love football!"

Scenes in Argentina

The video from Entertainment - Mediacorp - YouTube shows just a small amount of the incredible scenes that were on display in Argentina.

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