Argentina have
history with a historic, dramatic third World Cup crown (1978, 1986, 2022) -
their first in 36 years. They beat reigning champions France in the FIFA World
Cup final after extra time and penalties. France were completely subdued by
Argentina in the first half during which Argentina scored two goals - Messi
scored the first for Argentina in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot, and
Angel Di Maria netted Argentina's second in the 36th minute. France came alive
in the 80th minute of play with Kylian Mbappe converting from the penalty spot
and scoring another in the 81st.
The game went
into extra time, with France seeming thirsty for another goal. Messi stepped up
for Argentina and scored another goal in the 109th minute. Drama ensued as
France was awarded a penalty, which Mbappe converted in the 118th minute to
make the game level on 3-3.
Coming to the
penalty shootout, Messi and Mbappe took the first for their respective teams,
which they both netted. Penalty shoot-out hero Emiliano Martinez pulled off a
brilliant save denying Kingsley Coman (France), and Aurelien Tchouameni blast
his spot kick wide (third penalty kick for France). Gonzalo Montiel scored the
winner for Argentina, with the shoot-out ending 4-2 in Argentina's favor.
What a run for
Argentina after losing their first game - a 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia!
Lionel Messi
won the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup (best player award); he missed out on
the Golden Boot by one goal to Kylian Mbappe (7 goals vs 8). Messi has been the
architect of most opportunities for Argentina and for a bulk of their goals
this World Cup. Emiliano Martinez was awarded the Golden Glove for best
goalkeeper at the World Cup, and 21 year old Enzo Fernandez, the FIFA Young
Player Award.
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