Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after an extraordinary 3-3 thriller of a Final with France, as Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick to force Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria into victory on a penalty shoot-out.
There are numerous Serie A players involved in the Argentina squad, including Di Maria and Leandro Paredes of Juventus, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and Roma striker Paulo Dybala.
It was an extraordinary conclusion to the tournament in Qatar, although for 79 minutes it looked like one-way traffic with Lionel Messi converting a penalty earned by Angel Di Maria, then the Juventus star doubled their lead by finishing a well-worked team move.
Les Bleus didn’t have a single shot for 65 minutes, but then Kylian Mbappé turned it all around with a penalty and 97 seconds later a fantastic volley.
It went to extra time at 2-2 and Inter striker Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to have three huge chances.
The first two were denied by desperate Dayot Upamecano blocks, but the third was parried by Hugo Lloris into the path of Messi to score with his right foot.
The attempted goal-line clearance failed as the referee’s watch lit up to confirm the ball had gone over the line, while VAR also showed Lautaro Martinez managed to time his run perfectly to avoid the offside trap.
However, it still wasn’t over, as Gonzalo Montiel’s raised arm charged down a shot inside the box, so Mbappé converted the penalty to complete a hat-trick at the 118th minute and secure the Golden Boot as top scorer with eight goals.
Both sides still had huge chances in stoppages, but it went to a dramatic shoot-out. Mbappé and Messi were first up, but former Juventus flop Kingsley Coman saw his penalty parried by Emiliano Martinez.
Roma striker Paulo Dybala rolled his one right down the centre, having come on just to take this spot-kick, and Aurelien Tchouameni drilled wide.
Gonzalo Montiel made up for the handball by converting the decisive penalty and making Argentina World Champions for the first time since 1986.
Argentina 3-3 France
Messi pen 23, 108 (A), Di Maria 36 (A), Mbappé pen 80, 81, pen 118 (F)
Penalty shoot-out: Mbappé (F, goal), Messi (A, goal), Coman (F, Saved), Dybala (A, goal), Tchouameni (F, miss), Paredes (A, goal), Kolo Muani (F, goal), Montiel (A, goal)
Had Argentina lost this one, Lautaro would be labelled as the new Higuain lol
I could not watch penalties live. I have weak heart. Vamos Argentina! Sad for Lautaro, but he scored winning penalty against Holland. Still, little contribution.
A.R.G.E.N.T.I.N.A … as for italy, if/when the world cup expands to 48 teams, there might bea chance … that is the best to hope for of you rely on immobiles and acerbis
I’m breathless and speechless till now, what an incredible game, the best WC final I’ve seen by veeeery far.
Glad it went back to South America. As long as the fish and Chip brigade also known as Chipland FC do not win, I am always happy.
Lutaro did put himself in goal scoring opportunities which was absent after De Maria left the field, but boy these way ward shots and headers remind me of Del Piero at the euros 2000!
Congrat to Argentina for surviving against an NFL team, and the GOAT debate is finally put to bed.
Best team won but credit to France for not giving up. Nice game without too many antics.
Great game after France scored their first. Was a bit one-sided before that. 2 huge chances at either end right at the death, one a great save by E Martinez, the other a poor header by L Martinez.
Yipee, more Argies in Serie A. Parasites.
Crotch grabbing, kicking footballs away, whining about Officiating, even today at HT when winning 2-0, goading opponents.
If a team like Italy did this they would be LAMBASTED. Every tournament these people act like animals.
Lord Dummy,
No need for encouragement. I already do!
This Lord Allegri guy doesn’t even realise that the fish and chips brigade refers to New Zealand. He’s hating on a country ranked 105 in the world?!