Argentina crowned world Champions after 36 long years as Messi lift it for the first time ever sealing his spot among legends beating France on penalties
Argentina football team lifted their first World Cup in 36 years as they defeated defending champions France yesterday in Qatar. This is Argentina’s third world title and first under Lionel Messi.
La Albiceleste played beautifully to hold France till the penalties. After 90 minutes it ended 2-2 after which the 30 minutes extra time also led to a 3-3 stalemate. As penalties came the outcome was decided as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.
Messi showed great resilience to score through penalty in the 23rd minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead soon after which Angel Di Maria made 2-0 in the 36th minute. At the end of first half it was Argentina 2-0 France.
Lionel Scaloni would have praised his men during the 15 minute break as Deschamps would have been busy motivating his French players.
As we returned to action in the 2nd half both teams pressed hard and it looked going the Argentinian way only until Kylian Mbappe came to the fore for the French to make it 1-2 in the 80th minute from the penalty spot. In a quick succession of goals Mbappe scored a brace in the 81st minute to make it all square 2-2. Nervous last few moments for both sides.
It ended 2-2 in normal time, needing penalties to decide the world champion.
So it came down to extra time to get the winner. It was hard played football for both teams during this period as they vied for glory. Lionel Messi though he had won it for Argentina when he gave them the lead in the 108th minute. But Mbappe had other plans as he restored the deficit scoring from the spot in the 118th minute. Down to penalties now.
It was the nervy penalty shootout now to decide the winner of FIFA World Cup 2022. All set here we go. Mbappe took a good penalty to make it 1-0 for the French in the p.s.o. It was then hero Leo Messi making it 1-0 for the Argentinians.
Now was time for the villains of the penalty shoot out drama as Coman missed one and Dybala scoring. Trouble for the French as Tchouameni now missed. Paredes then scored for Argentina as well as Kolo Muani for the French. And Gonzalo Montiel next won it for Argentina.
The celebrations went wild worldwide as their legend Leo Messi lifted the prestigious trophy finally one time.
It was a great moment in sporting history for the globe to rejoice a fabulous World Cup as we bid bye to Qatar 2022.
North America here we come in 2026.
