Ukpono Anietie, PH
Winning the 2022 world cup was everything for Argentina, and they proved that after beating France 4-2 on penalties to lift football’s most coveted trophy.
The match was decided in a penalty shootout before Argentina emerged champions for the third time.
Argentina started the game brightly and created chances before the goal came in the 23rd minute courtesy of Messi penalty goal after Ousmane Dembele tripped Angel Di Maria.
Di Maria went on to extend the lead for Argentina in 36th minute after a sublime pass from Mac Allister.
France made two quick tactical substitutions in the 41st minute; struggling Dembele was replaced by Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram came in for Olivier Giroud.
Mbappe pulled a goal back for France via a penalty kick in the 80th minute to extend his scoring record in the competition.
Less than two minutes after scoring a penalty kick to get France into the game, Mbappe stroke again to level up score in the game, and forcing the game to extra time.
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Both teams couldn’t find the winning goal in the first 90 minutes and the game was forced to extra time.
Messi extended the lead for Argentina in the first half of the extra to keep their chances of winning the world alive.
Mbappe struck again in the 118th minute to complete his hat-trick, forcing the game to penalty shootout.
Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed from the spot kick for France before Gonzalo Montiel scored the final penalty to crown Argentina champions.
Personal Honours Won in the 2022 World Cup:
Enzo Fernandez won the FIFA Young Player Award
Emiliano Martinez won FIFA Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament)
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot
Lionel Messi – Adidas Golden Ball Award (FIFA Best Player). Messi became the first player ever to win two Adidas Golden Balls.
