Messi, Argentina seize World Cup glory with epic final win over France

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Argentina defeated France on penalties in a thrilling final to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.

The two sides ended level on 3-3 after an enthralling 120 minutes at the Lusail Stadium, with France twice coming from behind to force the game to spot kicks.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, coolly dispatching a penalty after winger Angel Di Maria was brought down by Ousmane Dembele.

Di Maria then got on the scoresheet in the 36th minute, finishing off a sweeping move from close range to send Argentina into the break firmly in control.

They could have had a third in the 58th minute, but French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved Julian Alvarez’s close-range shot.

France narrowed the gap in the 80th minute with a penalty kick from Kylian Mbappe, the first of the forward’s stunning hat trick.

Mbappe grabbed his second just a minute later to level the match at 2-2, finishing off Marcus Thuram’s assist with a crisp strike.

Messi’s long-range shot was saved by Lloris in the 97th minute, leaving the scores tied at 2-2 after normal time.

Despite several efforts, neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first half of extra time.

Messi scored his second of the night in the 109th minute, forcing the ball in after Lloris blocked Lautaro Martinez’s shot.

France were awarded a penalty after a handball by Gonzalo Montiel in the 117th minute, and Mbappe stepped up to score his third.

In the penalty shootout, Argentina claimed a 4-2 win to lift their third World Cup in history.