Magical Messi Inspires Argentina To World Cup Title
19 December, 2022
Lionel Messi struck a brace as Argentina bagged their third FIFA WOrld Cup title after defeating France on penalties on Sunday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup Final
Result: Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)
Date: 18 December 2022
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium
The South Americans made just one change from the win over Croatia, as veteran attacker Angel di Maria was restored to the line-up in place of Leandro Paredes.
France, meanwhile, were boosted the by return of Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot who both overcame illness, with Youssouf Fofana and Ibrahima Konate dropping to the
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bench after the semi-final win over Morocco. The South Americans looked lively in the early stages, with Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul both going close with efforts from distance in the opening 10 minutes.Argentina carved out their first meaningful chance on 17 minutes when De Paul's cross rolled into the path of Di Maria, who blazed over the crossbar from just inside the area.
Four minutes later, the South Americans were awarded a penalty when Ousmane Dembele brought down the influential Di Maria. Messi stepped up and calmly slotted into the far corner for his sixth goal of the tournament.
While France had no answer at the other end, Argentina went on to double their lead when a super counter-attack ended with Alexis Mac Allister teeing up Di Maria, who slotted into the far corner for his first of the tournament.
Didier Deschamps responded with a double change five minutes before the halftime break, as Olivier Giroud and Dembele made way for Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
France saw a bit more of the ball in the second half as they looked to reduce the deficit, but they struggled to mount any serious attempts at Emiliano Martinez's goal in the opening exchanges.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a change just after the hour mark, with Di Maria brought off after an impressive performance for Marcos Acuna while France threw on Kinglsey Coman and Eduardo Camavinga moments later.
Mbappe, had been very quiet by his standards, managed to carve out an opening for himself on 70 minutes as he beat a couple challenges before blazing one over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
With twelve minutes to go in the second half, France were awarded a penalty after Kolo Muani was brought down by Nicolas Otamendi. Mbappe took responsibility and fired into the bottom corner to set up a nervy finish.
The scores were level two minutes later as Coman did well to dispossess Messi in on the halfway line, before Thuram did well to pick out Mbappe, who sent a superb volley past Martinez.
Messi almost had the final say in regulation as he carved out some space just outside the area and unleashed a powerful strike that forced Hugo Lloris into a fine save, sending the game to extra-time.
Argentina nearly got the third goal just before interval in extra-time when Messi turned provider to play in substitute Lautaro Martinez, who saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Upamecano.
The South Americans got their reward on 108 minutes when Messi bundled the ball home for his seventh of the campaign after Martinez' strike was saved by Lloris, with the goal-line technology confirming the goal.
However, there was late drama as France were awarded a second penalty with four minutes remaining for Molina's handball in the box. Mbappe showed his composure once again to level matters and complete his hat-trick.
There were chances at both ends to win the game as Emiliano Martinez did superbly to deny Kolo Muani in a one-on-one, before Lautaro Martinez headed a few minutes later for Argentina.
Penalties was needed to decided the game, and it was the South Americans who held their nerve once again to triumph 4-2 in the shoot-out and hand Argentina their third World Cup title.
Source: www.snl24.com