Argentina, for the third time in its history
The Argentina national team became world champions for the third time in its history after beating France on Sunday in a penalty shootout in the final of the World Cup in Qatar (3-3, 4-2 on penalties).
Three decades later
Argentina won in a match in which they came to waste a 2-0 lead at halftime and a 3-2 lead in the final moments of extra time, and in which, from eleven meters and despite a hat-trick by Kylian Mbappé, they once again became the queen of planet soccer three decades later.
A minute of inspiration
Leo Messi, on penalty, and Angel Di Maria, put Lionel Scaloni’s team ahead before the interval, but a minute of inspiration from Kylian Mbappé (min.80 and 81) condemned the match to extra time. It was there that the former Barcelona player, capturing a rebound from a Lautaro Martinez shot, put Lionel Scaloni’s side ahead again in the 109th minute, and again the French star, completing his hat-trick, forced penalties. There, the mistakes of Coman and Tchouaméni and the success of ‘Dibu’ Martínez and the Albiceleste penalty takers dictated the verdict.
Tribute to the eternal ’10
36 years after Diego Armando Maradona embraced the golden trophy at the Azteca Stadium, the ‘Pulga’ became eternal to raise to the sky of Lusail, at the age of 35, the coveted cup that, now yes, puts him at the height of the ‘Pelusa’ for his compatriots. A sincere and emotional tribute to the eternal ’10’, who passed away in 2020.
Break the curse
The Albiceleste are celebrating their third trophy in style (1978, 1986 and 2022) and breaking the curse of the Copa América champion, who had never before been able to win the next World Cup. Meanwhile, France is left without the possibility of revalidating the title, something that Pelé’s Brazil last achieved in 1958 and 1962.
France, outplayed
«Boys, now we’ve got our hopes up again,» chanted the crowd at the Lusail Stadium, where the Argentine fans outnumbered and out-passionated the French supporters almost in unison. On the field, the French team was also overwhelmed by the ‘Scaloneta’, a merciless steamroller during the first 45 minutes.
Argentine siege
In fact, the South American backline did not concede a single shot on goal in the first half to the hitherto reigning champions, who struggled to break down an Argentina side that was on fire from the opening whistle and with Angel Di Maria as a new addition to the starting eleven. Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister tested Hugo Lloris in the opening minutes, and Di Maria joined the siege with a shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Messi, making history
Olivier Giroud responded with another shot that also went over, before everything went up in smoke after Ousmane Dembélé brought down Di María inside the box and Poland’s Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot; Messi stepped up to the spot and fooled Lloris with a shot to his natural side (min.23) that made him the first player to score in all stages of a World Cup – group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Argentina scores the second
France, with Kylian Mbappé missing, tried to react by coming from behind, but a new blow ended up condemning them shortly before halftime. In a brilliant five-touch counter-attack, Mac Allister set up ‘Fideo’ Di Maria to beat the French goalkeeper (min.36).
Changes in France
Deschamps, in a surprising decision, opted to shuffle his pack before the break, bringing on Kolo Muani and Thuram for Dembélé and Giroud, although the Argentinian side pushed Les Bleus back into their halftime lineup.
France reappears in the 80th minute
In fact, Lloris had to appear to thwart two more chances from Mac Allister and De Paul, but the script changed completely in just one minute. In the 80th minute, Nicolas Otamendi committed a penalty on Kolo Muani and Mbappé did not miss the kick, although ‘Dibu’ Martinez guessed his intentions.
Tie and extra time
Just a minute later, the Paris Saint-Germain striker managed to connect a one-two with Marcos Thuram to find himself alone in front of the Argentine goalkeeper and unleash madness in Lusail (min.81). It was 2-2 and all to play for in extra time, after Messi had forced Lloris to save with a shot from the edge of the area.
Argentina is ahead again
La Pulga’ was able to make amends in the second half of extra time, in an action with uncertainty until the referee confirmed that Lautaro Martínez was not offside, who shot first before the former Barcelona player took advantage of the rebound (min.109).
And Mbappé ties it up again
However, Mbappé had not had his last word and kept France in contention until the end, after scoring the penalty that the referee awarded for a handball by Montiel (min.118). The duel went to a penalty shootout and the PSG star was in charge of the first kick for Didier Deschamps’ side.
Glory in penalties
Messi did not miss his shot either, just before ‘Dibu’ Martinez guessed Coman’s shot to put Argentina ahead. Another mistake by Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouaméni allowed the South American team to stay one step away from glory and Montiel, in Argentina’s fourth shot, finally brought the third star.
