LUSAIL, Qatar (News Wires) – Argentina won the World Cup for a third time, beating France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the 2022 final in Qatar.
Lionel Messi’s penalty and a goal from Ángel Di María appeared to have put Argentina in control, but two quick Kylian Mbappé goals turned the game on its head with 10 minutes to go. The French talisman converted a penalty then volleyed home 60 seconds later to send the final to extra time.
Argentina rallied in extra time, with Dayot Upamecano twice denying substitute Lautaro Martínez before half-time. Early in the second half, Martínez broke through again and after Hugo Lloris parried his shot, Messi forced the ball over the line. Still France would not give in, and Mbappé converted a late penalty to level again.
Mbappé then stepped up first in the shootout, scoring before Messi rolled the ball past Lloris. Kingsley Coman saw his penalty saved and Aurélien Tchouaméni fired wide, allowing Gonzalo Montiel to convert the winning spot-kick and send his nation into raptures as Messi crowned his glittering career with the greatest prize of all.
