Argentina defeated France on penalties to claim their third World Cup title.
In what was arguably the greatest World Cup final ever, the Albiceleste got off to a dream start when Lionel Messi calmly scored a 23rd-minute penalty after Ousmane Dembele brought down Ángel Di María in the box.
The South American dominated proceedings for most of the game. Argentina barely allowed the French to settle, like the intensity and passing that Argentina displayed.
Argentina wins the World Cup final with a historic goal
Didier Deschamps’ French team never set foot in the game. And thirteen minutes later, Argentina made it 2-0 with a wonderful collective goal.
After winning the ball back in the middle, Lionel Messi found Julian Alvarez with a wonderful move, who then found Alexis Mac Allister thanks to his fast run. The Brighton midfielder served the ball on a platter to Di María, who scored with aplomb before Hugo Lloris’s charge into the French goal.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were by far the better team for 75 minutes, but a poor decision by centre-back Nicolás Otamendi saw France score a penalty after the Argentine defender brought down Randal Kolo Muani.
Kylian Mbappé, who until then had been calm for most of the game, stepped up to reduce the deficit and make it 2-1. Within seconds, Mbappé equalized with a wonderful volley to restore equality, leaving Argentina in shock.
Argentina faced a formidable opponent in France
La Albiceleste had dominated the game, but now they had to pick themselves once again, similar to their quarter-final win over the Netherlands. France looked the better side after drawing, but Argentina held on to drag a vibrant game into extra time.
Argentina looked much more composed, but always had to deal with the threat of Mbappé and Kingsley Coman on either flank. Messi might have thought he had secured the title in the 108th minute when he struck from close range after some great work on the right flank.
Lautaro Martínez’s shot was blocked by Lloris, but Messi got his right-footed effort across the line before Dayot Upamecano cleared the ball. VAR was consulted and replays showed that the ball had crossed the line, thus restoring Argentina’s lead.
With four minutes remaining in extra time, France scored their second penalty of the night after Gonzalo Montiel, turning to block Mbappé’s shot, saw the ball brush his right arm. Mbappé stepped up and once again leveled the game at 3-3, completing his impressive hat-trick.
The World Cup final goes to penalties
However, it was not up to Mbappé’s day despite the PSG star stepping up to score his penalty followed by Messi. Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez once again brought home the goal by heroically saving Coman’s effort with a brilliant save.
Aurelien Tchouameni missed his spot kick and with Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes scoring before him, Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty kick to give Argentina its first World Cup victory since 1986.
Photo Credit: IMAGO/PA Images
