Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina win 4-2 on pens): Key talking points as Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to a third world crown on remarkable night in Qatar
In what will long be remembered as one of the most iconic nights of the World Cup, Argentina lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third time by beating France in a remarkable shots on goal.
While the South American heavyweights may have been on cruise control as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria put them into a 2-0 half-time lead, we were then treated to the one of the most famous battles in football at the Lusail stadium.
While the Blues may have failed to find any clinical advantage until the final 10 minutes, it was their record talisman that nearly completed what would have been the World Cup's greatest ever comeback .
With Kylian Mbappe scoring a pair of late strikes separated by just a minute and 35 seconds, it appeared Lionel Scaloni had lost all his momentum and was ready for more heartbreak on the grandest of stages.
However, while Argentina's seven-time Ballon d'Or winner might have thought he had dragged the Albiceleste to the finish line after coming in from close range in the dying minutes of extra time, it's his PSG teammate who once again flipped the script.
Watching Mbappe convert from the spot in the dying seconds and score the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, it seemed almost destined that we were headed for a hard-fought shootout.
While the European giants may have mounted a pair of iconic returns, they ultimately fell at the last hurdle as Aurélien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed from 12 yards.
Now that the dust has finally started to settle after Sunday's remarkable clash, we've taken a look at the main talking points as Argentina were crowned world champions.
Argentina – Kings of the WorldOpening their World Cup adventure on November 22 with an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia, Argentina always seemed to face an uphill struggle.
However, having only suffered one defeat in any of their 42 previous appearances across all formats – a run that dates back to July 2019 – the South American giants have only continued on a famous burst under Scaloni.
While it may have been bitter rivals Brazil who opened the quest for Qatar this winter, seen as a standout pick by many, Argentina rightfully won a round of applause in the Middle -East.
Showing a similar level of determination to that which saw them overtake Holland earlier in the month, the Albiceleste have certainly written another chapter in the World Cup history books.
Ending their 36-year wait with another standout performance at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina and their young stars will now aim to create a true dynasty after winning the Copa America 17 months ago.
> It was written in the stars for MessiWhile it may have been Argentina who crowned world champions for the third time on Sunday night, it was undeniably their record-breaking legend that grabbed the headlines in Qatar.
With neutrals around the world desperate to see Messi get his hands on a first world crown and put the icing on the cake of his iconic career, it almost seemed written in the stars for the 35-year-old trailblazer.
>Producing what has been a famous display in the Middle East over the past month and almost single-handedly dragging the Albiceleste to the finish line, Messi also cemented his place as the greatest player of a generation .
Scoring two goals on Sunday night and registering seven World Cup goals in Qatar this year, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was clearly moved to finally replicate his idol, Diego Maradona.
Always showing that he is at the peak of his powers, the PSG talisman was also awarded the tournament's best player award after what will be remembered as the most important month of his storied career.
Mbappe's Golden Boot won't be much consolationWhile many neutrals around the world might have wished Messi had claimed a first world crown on Sunday night, everyone's hearts would have turned to Mbappe after the 23-year-old produced a historic display at Lusail.
Become the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to win a Wo...
In what will long be remembered as one of the most iconic nights of the World Cup, Argentina lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third time by beating France in a remarkable shots on goal.
While the South American heavyweights may have been on cruise control as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria put them into a 2-0 half-time lead, we were then treated to the one of the most famous battles in football at the Lusail stadium.
While the Blues may have failed to find any clinical advantage until the final 10 minutes, it was their record talisman that nearly completed what would have been the World Cup's greatest ever comeback .
With Kylian Mbappe scoring a pair of late strikes separated by just a minute and 35 seconds, it appeared Lionel Scaloni had lost all his momentum and was ready for more heartbreak on the grandest of stages.
However, while Argentina's seven-time Ballon d'Or winner might have thought he had dragged the Albiceleste to the finish line after coming in from close range in the dying minutes of extra time, it's his PSG teammate who once again flipped the script.
Watching Mbappe convert from the spot in the dying seconds and score the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, it seemed almost destined that we were headed for a hard-fought shootout.
While the European giants may have mounted a pair of iconic returns, they ultimately fell at the last hurdle as Aurélien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed from 12 yards.
Now that the dust has finally started to settle after Sunday's remarkable clash, we've taken a look at the main talking points as Argentina were crowned world champions.
Argentina – Kings of the WorldOpening their World Cup adventure on November 22 with an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia, Argentina always seemed to face an uphill struggle.
However, having only suffered one defeat in any of their 42 previous appearances across all formats – a run that dates back to July 2019 – the South American giants have only continued on a famous burst under Scaloni.
While it may have been bitter rivals Brazil who opened the quest for Qatar this winter, seen as a standout pick by many, Argentina rightfully won a round of applause in the Middle -East.
Showing a similar level of determination to that which saw them overtake Holland earlier in the month, the Albiceleste have certainly written another chapter in the World Cup history books.
Ending their 36-year wait with another standout performance at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina and their young stars will now aim to create a true dynasty after winning the Copa America 17 months ago.
> It was written in the stars for MessiWhile it may have been Argentina who crowned world champions for the third time on Sunday night, it was undeniably their record-breaking legend that grabbed the headlines in Qatar.
With neutrals around the world desperate to see Messi get his hands on a first world crown and put the icing on the cake of his iconic career, it almost seemed written in the stars for the 35-year-old trailblazer.
>Producing what has been a famous display in the Middle East over the past month and almost single-handedly dragging the Albiceleste to the finish line, Messi also cemented his place as the greatest player of a generation .
Scoring two goals on Sunday night and registering seven World Cup goals in Qatar this year, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was clearly moved to finally replicate his idol, Diego Maradona.
Always showing that he is at the peak of his powers, the PSG talisman was also awarded the tournament's best player award after what will be remembered as the most important month of his storied career.
Mbappe's Golden Boot won't be much consolationWhile many neutrals around the world might have wished Messi had claimed a first world crown on Sunday night, everyone's hearts would have turned to Mbappe after the 23-year-old produced a historic display at Lusail.
Become the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to win a Wo...
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