MY ACCOUNT
Argentina and Lionel Messi incredibly won 4-2 on penalties after an all-time classic World Cup final which was level 3-3 in normal time.
Argentina scored every penalty while France missed two as Auerlien Tchouanemi and Kingsley Coman both missed — Gonzalo Montiel’s spot kick eventually sent the nation into party mode.
In a wild game in Doha, which already has claims for the best football game ever, the narrative’s twisted and turned — La Albiceleste dominated the first-half as Messi and Angel Di Maria scored in the opening 45 minutes.
Kylian Mbappe incredibly dragged France back into the game single-handedly with two-minute brace — a penalty and a volley — to send the game into extra-time.
Messi tapped home in the 109th minute but Mbappe again levelled the score 3-3 to grab his hat-trick with another penalty.
Penalties decide crazy game
It will without a doubt go down as one of the greatest game of football the world has ever witnessed.
After France came back into the game, it opened up and the final was a jaw dropping spectacle — the storylines were endless.
It was only right that it was decided on penalties and Argentina just showed a tad more composure to win the golden prize for Messi and co.
Deschamps turned France nightmare around
There is no escaping the absolute disaster of a performance it was for France in the first-half.
They did not have a single shot in the opening 45 minutes, failing to conjure up even a spell of possession that applied even an inch of pressure to the Argentina backline.
Didier Deschamps could not watch any more as in the 40th minute as he made two big substitutions.
Oliver Giroud and Ousmane Dembele were both taken off while Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram came on.
It was a change that stunned many but ultimately switched the game on its head as Thurman especially provided a much-needed thrust to the France attack.
Mbappe delivers
All eyes were on Mbappe as to whether he could deliver back to back World Cups for his country — and for long periods he was ultimately thwarted through some excellent tactical shifts by Lionel Scaloni.
Every time the 23-year-old was on the ball, he was immediately smothered by a sea of light blue and white.
However, in the dying embers, when it all looked said and done — he dragged France back into the game.
He slotted away his penalty to half the deficit and then provided a moment of magic to level the score 2-2.
Mbappe watched the ball loop over his head before thumping it home — an incredible moment by an incredible player.
Then, when France appear dead and buried yet again in extra-time, he kept his cool and scored another spot-kick to send the game to penalties.
He is the second ever player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final — he can count himself incredibly unlucky not to be lifting the trophy but he will be at this stage again.
The last dance
In the 23rd minute, a nation were silent — the weight of the country was on the little genius’ shoulders.
The 12 yards that separated Messi and Hugo Lloris felt like a mile; the pressure, the lights and the cameras were all fixed upon one man.
It was an incredible moment for the 35-year-old, who slid away in joyous celebration to hug and embrace all of his fellow teammates.
Messi then was in the right place at the right time to score his brace — he did everything in his power to win the World Cup and he was understandably deeply emotional at full-time.
Di Maria change
Di Maria had a fantastic game when he was on the pitch — he was positioned on the left-hand side and was brilliant in the final third.
He skipped past Jules Kounde to win a penalty in the 23rd minute, which Messi converted.
13 minutes later, after a brilliant move by Argentina, he finished well to double their advantage.
However, in the 64th minute, Scaloni took the 34-year-old off and replaced him with Marcos Acuna to switch Argentina into a back five.
This proved to be costly switch, as it only increased the pressure on La Albiceleste’s backline and France capitalised with two late goals.
Argentina then needed a goal and without Di Maria, they lost a fair bit of attacking thurst.
