Argentina wins the 2022 World Cup in an instant-classic
t took 90 minutes of regulation, 30 minutes of extra time and a penalty kick shootout to decide it — but Argentina is the 2022 World Cup champion
Shootout for World Cup glory: France vs Argentina
After 90 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute periods of extra time, France and Argentina are still deadlocked in this instant-classic World Cup final.
How it works: Each team will get the chance to take five penalty kicks, and whichever side scores the most wins.
⚽️ = success
❌ = no goal
France
Kick 1: ⚽️
Kick 2: ❌
Kick 3: ❌
Kick 4: ⚽️
Kick 5:
—
Argentina
Kick 1: ⚽️
Kick 2: ⚽️
Kick 3: ⚽️
Kick 4: ⚽️
Kick 5:
.
It was the two superstars who stepped up first for their sides in the shootout. France kicked first and Kylian Mbappé, who had a hat trick in the game, blasted it by Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez.
Next up was the legend. Lionel Messi approached the spot and calmly rolled one in to tie it up.
That tit for tat exchange was fitting for a match where each side’s talisman turned in an inspired performance.
But after that, France missed their next two attempts to give Argentina a big advantage. And after Gonzalo Montiel made it four in a row for Argentina, it was over.
Going into the shootout, the two sides were tied at 3-3 after some truly epic moments of open play.
Messi’s two goals helped La Albiceleste capture their third World Cup and first since Diego Maradona led the team to glory in 1986 in Mexico.
The defending champion France was seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 60 years (Brazil 1958, 1962).
Despite the loss, France’s Kylian Mbappé’s hat trick secured him the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
Unbelievable! We’re heading to penalties to decide the 2022 World Cup
It looked like Lionel Messi had done it.
After a stunning second-half French comeback — thanks to two goals in about 90 seconds by young superstar Kylian Mbappé — France and Argentina went to extra time to decide the 2022 World Cup champion.
Early in the second period of extra time, Messi, who had already scored on a penalty kick in the first half of the game, took the ball on a rebound from a Hugo Lloris save and flicked it toward the goal. France’s defense managed to clear Messi’s offering off the line, but it had crossed over and Argentina was ultimately awarded the goal.
But it wouldn’t be enough. In the 116th minute of this epic final, France was awarded a penalty. Already having scored twice, Kylian Mbappé stepped up looking to tie the match yet again. And he did just that. It’s a hat trick for the 23-year-old.
It’ll now be penalty kicks to decide the champion at the 2022 World Cup. This is absolutely unreal.
