MUSCAT: A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina edged past France 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Lusail Stadium to claim their third FIFA World Cup title on Sunday.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved a crucial spot kick as Argentina ended a 36-year title drought to give their captain Messi a glorious send-off from the tournament.
Both the teams were locked in a pulsating final match as goal galore were witnessed at the Lusail Stadium with the regulation time ending at 2-2. The extra-time produced goals with France’s Kylian Mbappe recording only the second ever hat-trick in the final and Messi scoring a brace with the other goal coming from Angel Di Maria.
Earlier, goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria gave France a 2-0 halftime lead over France in the World Cup final.
Argentina completely dominated the first 45 minutes (52 with injury time) and deserved their comfortable lead.
Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after Ousmane Dembele clipped Di Maria’s heel following a smart turn from the Argentinean winger.
Messi sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot to net his fourth penalty and sixth goal of the tournament.
Argentina were completely bossing the game and doubled their lead in the 36th minute with a magnificent team goal, which involved Messi and Julian Alvarez, before finding Alexis Mac Allister in space.
Mac Allister squared the ball for the onrushing Di Maria to slide the ball past the exposed Lloris and make it 2-0.
France coach Deschamps made a double substitution in the 41st minute, replacing Dembele and Giroud, with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
