Qatar World Cup 2022 – Argentina win the World Cup, beating France on penalties 

Footballing legend Lionel Messi achieved his World Cup dreams last night after Argentina beat France to lift the trophy. 

Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which saw Argentina dominate for most of the match, being 2-0 up until the 80th minute. Then France’s Kylian Mbappe showed off his magic, scoring from the spot, and just one minute later, he scored again – levelling the game and leaving Argentina in shock. 

Messi got Argentina back in front at 108 minutes before Mbappe scored again at 118 minutes – to equalise for France and get his hat-trick. 

After 102 minutes of incredible football, it went to penalties. 

Both Messi and Mbappe opened the scoring on penalties. But Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman and then before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup.

Lionel Messi – the greatest of all time 

Lionel Messi has cemented his place as the greatest footballer of all time. 

The game was one of the best ever seen. Everything you’d ever want from a World Cup final, and to see the greatest player go on to crown his already glittering career will forever be iconic. 

Messi dominated for 80 minutes as France struggled to string together a few passes. But Mbappe is the future of football, and he showed the world what can happen in just a few minutes. 

Argentina prevailed on penalties but the game was always about Lionel Messi. For football fans everywhere, this was how they wanted to see Messi’s international career close. 

Messi announced the final would be his last game for the national team. 

A fitting end for a player nearing the end of his footballing career. 

Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappe (France) – 8

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 7

Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Olivier Giroud (France) – 4