Just in! Messi wins the World Cup
Just in! Messi wins the World Cup
Sunday – Argentina survived a miraculous France comeback in one of the great World Cup finals to win their third crown 4-2 on penalties after a spectacular 3-3 draw at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
The South American champions were ostensibly set to cruise to a third World Cup crown as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria struck inside the opening half, with a lacklustre France having no answer to Argentina’s unbridled supremacy.
However, a quickfire brace from Kylian Mbappe approaching the final 10 minutes of the contest incredibly drew France level to force extra time, where Messi claimed his second of the match before another Mbappe penalty saw the teams finish level after an enthralling 120 minutes.
Mbappe and Messi both converted from 12 yards before Martinez dived to his right to keep out Coman, and Paulo Dybala confidently rolled his effort down the middle to hand Argentina an early advantage.
Mind games from Martinez worked a treat as Tchouameni dragged France’s next spot kick wide, and Leandro Paredes’s effort proved too powerful for Lloris to keep out.
Argentina were only one spot kick away from glory, and Kolo Muani kept France alive with a rocket down the middle, but Montiel coolly sent Lloris the wrong way to spark tears of joy and cheers of jubilation for those in blue and white.