Argentina vs France Final Match 2022

World Cup 2022 Final Live Scorecard: Argentina vs. France Argentina won its third World Cup victory in what was arguably the craziest final in the tournament's 92-year history, defeating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 tie that featured two goals from the 35-year-old Messi and a hat trick by his heir apparent, France striker Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé and Messi converted their respective teams' first penalties. Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's shot, and Aurelien Tchouameni subsequently missed for France, giving Gonzalo Montiel a chance to finish it. He converted the penalty and elicited loud celebrations.

Europe's streak of four consecutive World Cup victories, which began in 2006, ended. Brazil was the last South American champion, and it was also in Asia when Japan and South Korea hosted the event in 2002.

Argentina built on its Copa America success from last year, its first major trophy since 1993, in Qatar. It's a fitting end to Messi's international career, but far from ending. After the game, he stated that he will continue to play for the national team.

Argentina vs. France, FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Highlights: Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup 2022 after a 36-year wait. Argentina won 4-2 on penalties against reigning champion France. Messi's spectacular penalty, the second goal in extra time, a superb pass by Mac Allister, and Di Maria's finishing touch propelled Argentina to victory. Despite this, France re-entered the race in the second half as Mbappe scored two goals in 97 seconds in the final minutes.

Argentina won on penalties after sharing a World Cup final for the ages with France, bolstering Lionel Messi's claim to be the greatest footballer in history.

Argentina led 2-0 at halftime and 3-2 in extra time, with Messi scoring twice on each side of Angel Di Maria's goal.

However, Messi's PSG colleague Kylian Mbappe became the second man in World Cup final history to score a hat-trick, twice keeping his nerve from the penalty spot in a tense 3-3 draw.

He did it again at the start of the shootout, but Emiliano Martinez stopped Kinglsey Coman's spot-kick and Aurelien Tchoumeni shot wide. Messi, Paulo Dybala, and Leandro Paredes all scored, allowing Gonzalo Montiel to beat Hugo Lloris and claim Argentina's third World Cup triumph.

Final score Argentina vs. France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)

Goals:

Lionel Messi of Argentina (23 mins, pen)

Angel Di Maria (ARG) (36 mins)

Kylian Mbappe (FRA) (80 mins, pen)

Kylian Mbappe (FRA) (81 mins)

Lionel Messi of Argentina (108 mins)

Kylian Mbappe (FRA) (118 mins, pen)

France was attempting to become the first side to retain the championship since Brazil in 1962 but was overwhelmed by a powerful Argentina in the first half, with Messi scoring from the penalty spot after Ousmane Dembele pulled down Di Maria.

Di Maria was a surprise left flank pick who troubled Les Bleus on several occasions before scoring one of the great World Cup final goals. Messi, Julian Alvarez, and Alexis MacAllister were all part of a vicious counter-attack that the Juventus winger despatched with ease.

In the 41st minute, France coach Didier Deschamps made the unusual move of replacing Olivier Giroud with the ineffective Dembele. Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram came in as an attacking combo and both were involved as Mbappe turned the game on its back in 97 seconds.

Kolo Muani's speed took Nicolas Otamendi off guard and sent him sprawling. Mbappe hammered his first penalty past Emiliano Martinez's dive, and he finished a smooth give-and-go with Thuram to tie the game at 2-2.

Argentina's heads cleared for a time, but Lautaro Martinez's entrance gave them new momentum, and Messi raced home a finish after Hugo Lloris saved the Inter Milan striker's 108th-minute attempt. Mbappe then threw a shot at Montiel's arm, ending his second yellow card.

Martinez erred on that occasion, and in stoppage time, he made an outstanding save from Kolo Muani, the only other guy who would defeat him in the shootout. Messi, on the other hand, would not be denied, thanks in part to teammates like Emiliano Martinez, who refused to give up with everything on the line.

Argentina vs. France live coverage, reaction, and highlights from the 2022 World Cup

At 4:20 p.m. ET/9:20 p.m. GMT: We'll say our goodbyes. Thank you so much for joining us on The Sporting News to celebrate a World Cup final to remember. Years from now, you'll recall where you were when Argentina's opening brilliance gave way to Mbappe's hat trick and Messi's moment of final triumph. It's only fitting to conclude with the great man who has been chatting with TyC Sports.

4:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. GMT: John Terry has checked his alerts and commented on Sergio Aguero's outstanding performance this evening.

at 3:45 p.m. ET/8:45 p.m., GMT Rodrigo De Paul was simply magnificent in midfield for Argentina tonight. Here's what he said to TyC Sports.

"We were born to suffer; we will suffer for the rest of our lives," Argentina player Rodrigo De Paul says. We are worthy victors. To be champions, we needed to defeat the previous champion, which we did. This is an indescribable thrill. The first half was excellent. We made blunders in the second, but we knew how to move on. I dedicate it to all Argentines and everyone who helped us."

At 3:35 p.m. ET/8:35 p.m. GMT: This is fantastic. Diego had the foresight to have his removed from the crossbar, where Jorge Valdano was undoubtedly sitting at the moment.

at 2:50 p.m. ET/7:50 p.m. GMT, It's easy to overlook in the midst of the mayhem, but Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had a great night. Angel Di Maria's selection caused eyebrows, and instead of operating from the right as expected, the Juventus winger roamed from the left and ripped France apart before halftime, his magnificent goal putting Argentina 2-0 up the highlight. The system built around Messi, from the flawless Enzo Fernandez in center midfield to the voracious trio of Alexis MacAllister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez, meant France was at a loss for answers.

Kylian Mbappe then flipped the game on its head, and Argentina may have lost if Scaloni hadn't sent on Lautaro Martinez and Leandro Paredes early in extra time. Paredes restored serenity in the center, while Lautaro's astute running placed France on the back foot. He assisted Messi's second goal, and Paredes calmly converted his penalty. Overall, pretty bad for a man who took on a position no one wanted in 2018 with no prior experience as a senior football head coach.

At 1:25 p.m. ET/6:25 p.m. GMT: Emiliano Martinez is also in tears. They all are, after all! The winner of the penalty shootout told beIN Sports: "We had the game under control, but the team was doomed. France almost scored as well, but we are grateful to be here. I've always wished to attend the World Cup. I'm at a loss for words to convey how I'm feeling."

France came close to scoring a winner. Martinez is too modest to acknowledge that it was only because of his spectacular save from Randal Kolo Muani that they didn't.

1:04 pm ET/6:04 pm GMT: Wow. Is this the finest World Cup final ever? Probably. The greatest player of all time? Try convincing anybody else. If Kylian Mbappe continues on his current path... That is just incredible. There are tears, as there have been several times throughout Messi's international career. But they are now tears of absolute ecstasy.