Argentina Beat France In Dramatic Final To Land First World Cup Title In 36 Years

Argentina defeated France on penalties in a dramatic final match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After 120 minutes of football which ended 3-3, Argentina went on to win 4-2 on penalties to land their third title.
Kylian Mbappe bagged a hat-trick while Lionel Messi netted a brace with Angel Di Maria also getting on the score sheet.
The Albiceleste have now won a first World Cup title since their triumph at the 1986 edition in Mexico.
Mbappe has now equaled England legend Geoff Hurst record as the only players to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
Argentina becomes the first South American team to be crowned World Cup champions since Brazil in 2002.
Argentina went close in the 3rd minute as Messi lifted the ball over the French defence to find Julian Alvarez who was flagged for offside.
In the 5th minute Hugo Lloris was called to action but calmly held a straight shot by Alexis MacAllister.
Argentina continued to create scoring chances and went close again in the 8th minute, as Rodrigo De Paul struck from range which hit Raphael Varane and went out for a corner.
Di Maria could have opened the scoring on 17 minutes but failed to direct a cutback towards goal as his effort went over the bar.
Argentina’s good start eventually paid off in the 23rd minute as Messi converted from the penalty spot after Ousmane Dembele fouled Di Maria.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 36th minute through Di Maria who slotted past Lloris off a counter attack started by Messi.
And in the final minute of first half added time Antoine Griezman sent in a dangerous set piece which Varane failed to connect with.
Argentina almost extended their lead on 49 minutes but De Paul’s one-time volley from Di Maria’s cross was well saved by Lloris.
In the 59th minute Alvarez hit a low left foot drive which Lloris stopped from sneaking in.
A few minutes later Messi went close for Argentina after good play from Di Maria but the PSG forward narrowly missed the target.
In the 67th minute Theo Hernandez sent in a dangerous crossing inside the box which Nicolas Otamendi blocked away for a corner.
On 71 minutes Mbappe broke from the left and hit a shot on the edge of the box which flew over the bar.
Two minutes later Fernandez was fed by Messi inside the box but his attempted strike was well saved by Lloris.
France pulled a goal back on 80 minutes through Mbappe from the penalty spot after Otamendi fouled Randal Muani.
Mbappe then made it 2-2 on 82 minutes as he slammed home a superb one-time volley beyond the reach of Emiliano Martinez.
In the 93rd minute Martinez made a brilliant save before quickly gathering the rebound after good play by Kingsley Coman.
Messi almost won it for Argentina with a powerful shot but Lloris palmed over the bar.
In the final minute of first half extra-time substitute Lautaro Martinez saw his goal bound shot blocked by Dayot Upamecano before Jules Kounde headed into corner another strike.
Before the end of the first half extra-time Martinez collected a through pass but saw his effort go narrowly off target.
Messi then made it 3-2 on 105 minutes as he finished off a rebound after Martinez’s initial effort.
On 118 minutes Mbappe made it 3-3 from the penalty spot after his initial shot struck the arm of an Argentina player.
Muani had a golden opportunity to win it for France in the final seconds but hit his shot straight at Martinez’s leg.
With both sides failing to score the winner, the game was decided on penalties with France missing two of their kicks while Argentina scored all of their four kicks.
By James Agberebi
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