The COPA America champions, Argentina have won the 2022 FIFA world cup for the third time after defeating France in an extraordinary final at Lusail Stadium, Qatar this past Sunday.
The Argentinians led by Lionel Messi won 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of play following a dramatic 3-3 draw after extra time. The Sunday victory marked Argentina’s third world cup trophy following victories in 1978 and 1986.
Argentina was the first to draw blood from the spot kick through Lionel Messi on the 23rd minutes. On the 36th minute, Angel Di Maria doubled the lead with a brilliant goal to put the team in total control of the first half of the game.
During the second half, the blues mounted a brilliant come back that enabled the golden boy, Kylian Mbappe to pull one from the spot on the 80th Minute. Few minutes later, Mbappe produced yet a brilliant masterpiece to make it 2-2 sending the match to an extra time.
On the 108th minute, Messi seemed to have won it for Argentina through a scrambled goal; little did the Argentinians know that it was not yet game over. Just as everyone thought it was done, Mbappe struck a shot against the arm of Montiel to win another penalty in the 117th minute which he calmly scored making it his eighth goal of the cup.
The 3-3 draw then led the teams to the penalties where both Messi and Mbappe managed to score their balls. Argentina’s keeper Emiliano Martinez managed to save a kick from Kingsley Coman’s penalty while Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to give Gonzalo Montiel the chance to score and win it for Argentinians.
Argentina’s Coach Lionel Scaloni told The National News that he could not believe that they have suffered so much in a perfect game but said that he was proud of their work.
“With the blow we received today and we keep taking, with the draws. This makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy-it’s a historic moment for our country,” said Scaloni.
Meanwhile, Messi has won the Golden ball award after scoring seven goals and providing three assists in six matches to head the Argentinians to the third world cup trophy. Mbappe walked away with the golden boat award after scoring eight goals in the tournament. Argentina’s goal keeper Emiliano Martinez won the Golden glove award while another South American Enzo Fernandez captured the FIFA young player ward.
