The big one has finally been won by Lionel Messi. A magical performance by the Argentine magician earned him a place in the annals of football folklore after he defeated France 4-2 on penalties at the Lusail Stadium.
In the middle of the celebrations going on around them, Messi shared a tender moment with his mother after the match had ended.
A dramatic match at the Lusail Stadium north of Doha ended with Argentina winning the World Cup for the third consecutive time as substitute Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty. Despite Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni missing their penalties for France, Argentina won the shootout 4-2 on penalties.
As Argentina won its third World Cup title on penalties after a 3-3 draw, Messi scored two goals and another in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in one of the wildest finals in the tournament’s 92-year history.
The 35-year-old Messi’s heir apparent, France forward Kylian Mbappé, scored the first hat trick in a final in 56 years in an attempt to emulate Pelé’s status as a champion at his first two World Cups.
There is no longer any debate. As a member of the exclusive club of the greatest football players of all time, Messi joins Pelé, a record three-time world champion, and Diego Maradona, late Argentina great with whom Messi is often compared.
