A World Cup that has defied all expectations reached its climax on Sunday 18th December 2022 when Lionel Messi joined Diego Maradona in Argentine immortality by taking the south Americans to the title as they played against France that looked to become the first nation to retain it since 1962.
Both scenarios were an appropriate final act to the first World Cup staged in an Arab country. But whatever happened, a tournament ridiculed in the build-up, and which began a little awkwardly delivered an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that even the cynics leapt on board. Millions of words were written criticizing the choice of Qatar as host to the world’s second-largest sports event and the debate will continue long after the next edition.
But for a month the beautiful game did, in the words of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, “spread some joy”.
The marquee names of Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo delivered storylines. Saudi Arabia, Japan and Morocco delivered shocks. New heroes emerged.
Lionel Messi exited the World Cup stage by finally getting his hands on the Jules Rimet trophy after a final that left fans around the world open-mouthed. Here’s how the game unfolded.
Argentina 3-3 France (AET, 4-2 on pens)
Argentina dramatically claimed their first World Cup in 36 years to defeat holders France as captain Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty and netted in extra time to complete his trophy collection in his last-ever game at the tournament. In a match billed by many as Messi’s final chance to cement his status as the greatest player of all time, as well as Kylian Mbappe’s opportunity to win a second World Cup at the age of just 23, Argentina began on the front foot in their quest for a first World Cup triumph since Diego Maradona inspired the Albiceleste to glory in 1986.
It was Messi who netted a 23rd-minute penalty after Angel Di Maria went down in the box from Ousmane Dembele’s challenge before Di Maria crowned an exquisite counter-attack with a cool finish shortly afterwards.
Distinctly second best, France mounted a phenomenal comeback late on in normal time as Mbappe set up a grandstand finish by tucking home from 12 yards himself before clinically volleying in minutes later to leapfrog Messi in the Golden Boot race and extended the match by 30 minutes. Messi and Mbappe then traded places in those particular standings, the 35-year-old’s close-range effort making it 3-2 in extra time before the young pretender completed his hat-trick from the spot after his curler struck Gonzalo Montiel’s right arm.
A stupendous point-blank save from Emiliano Martinez kept out Randal Kolo Muani just before penalties and the Aston Villa goalkeeper subsequently denied Kingsley Coman and distracted Aurelien Tchouameni in the shootout as Argentina emerged victorious courtesy of Montiel in arguably the most dramatic match of all time.
MAGIC MOMENT
• Lionel Messi has become the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of a single World Cup
• Kylian Mbappe is only the second player – after Sir Geoff Hurst – to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final
• Enzo Fernandez had the most touches (118), successful passes (77) and tackles (10) in the match
• Lionel Scaloni is the first Argentina head coach to win both the Copa America and the World Cup
AWARDS
• Golden Boot (Kylian Mbappe)
• Golden Ball (Lionel Messi)
• Silver Ball (Enzo Fernández)
• Golden Glove (Emiliano Martinez)
• Fair Play Award (England)
Author-Barak Mintah Brown
