France failed to retain their World Cup crown, losing on penalties to Argentina, in what might have been the greatest World Cup final of all time.
Argentina started strong and opened the scoring midway through the half through a Lionel Messi penalty after Ousmane Dembele was deemed to have tripped former Manchester United winger Angel di Maria.
Di María then doubled Argentina’s lead after the Juventus man finished off a sumptuous collective play with aplomb. Argentina took the two-goal lead at half time, with France barely getting a kick.
The lethargic nature of the French caused Deschamps to make two changes five minutes before the break, hooking up Ousmane Dembele and Oliver Giroud for Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani, in a move that would prove decisive.
The second half continued in the same vein with Argentina controlling the game and France looking devoid of ideas and energy.
But, Kylian Mbappé enters. Unsung through the first 80 minutes, the Manchester United keeper buried a penalty won by Kolo Mouani, before finishing off a rough volley to tie France and move past Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot, in the most incredible 60 seconds. of the World Cup. final drama.
Mbappé seemed almost out of ideas as Argentina held back and controlled proceedings for the better part of 90 minutes. However, the brilliant rubber double stamped just why the PSG man is considered the best in the world.
And there was more to come. Much more. In extra time, Argentina wiped their bloody nose to take the lead again through the mercurial Lionel Messi, who scored with 10 minutes remaining. But Mbappé was not finished yet. Three minutes from the end, Mbappé saw his shot charged with a handball from Gonzalo Montiel, giving him the opportunity to equalize again from the penalty spot. He did. 3-3.
The penalties were taken in front of the Argentine fans and they were the ones who celebrated the end with France missing two of their first three to give Argentina and Messi the crown.
Following his moments of magic, not just in the final but throughout the tournament, the prospect of seeing Mbappe at United is now even more appealing.
Mbappé has been linked with a sensational move to Old Trafford as United ramp up their efforts to sign a striker, after opting out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract late last month.
A transfer is unlikely, but if Erik ten Hag and the United hierarchy could somehow convince the 23-year-old to move to Manchester, it would transform the attacking power at Ten Hag’s disposal.
United central midfielder Raphael Varane also completed the full 120-plus minutes for France, despite being one of the players who fell victim to the virus that swept through the French pitch before the game, which could have explained the lackluster opening of his team.
Erik ten Hag hopes that Varane can shake off the disappointment of defeat as it will be necessary for United to achieve their goals at the end of the season.
Club football returns for United on Wednesday night, with Burnley visiting on matchday four of the Carabao Cup.
