FIFA World Cup final

The FIFA World Cup Final. Photos: AFP

FIFA World Cup Final Gallery: Best pics

After Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended equal at 3-3 after extra time, Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to victory.

FIFA World Cup final

The FIFA World Cup Final. Photos: AFP

After Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended equal at 3-3 after extra time, Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to victory over France on penalties in a World Cup final to remember on Sunday. 

Lionel Messi
Argentina’s captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons Thiago (C) and Ciro pose with the FIFA World Cup Trophy after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Gonzalo Montiel converted the winning penalty to give Argentina their third World Cup and keep France from being the first team to win the championship back to back in 60 years.

FIFA World Cup final
Argentina’s players celebrate as Argentina’s defender #04 Gonzalo Montiel scores the winning goal during penalty shootouts at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

Messi and Kylian Mbappe lived up to their billing.

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FIFA World Cup Final
France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe strikes the ball to score his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)

Messi opened the scoring with a penalty midway through the first half before Angel Di Maria doubled Argentina’s lead on the counter-attack in the 36th minute.

FIFA World Cup final
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi fights for the ball with France’s midfielder #25 Eduardo Camavinga during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

But the astonishing Mbappe breathed life into the holders as he pulled one back from the spot with 10 minutes left before equalising in stunning fashion just 60 seconds later to force extra time.

FIFA World Cup final
France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe takes a penalty to score his team’s third goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Messi then seemed to have decided the contest in Argentina’s favour once and for all when he scored again in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to net another spot-kick, making it 3-3 and forcing a shoot-out.

Messi
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi (C) controls the ball as he is marked by France’s midfielder #08 Aurelien Tchouameni (L) during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

The third World Cup final penalty shoot-out started with Messi and Mbappe both scoring, but Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target.

FIFA World Cup Final
France’s midfielder #08 Aurelien Tchouameni and France’s goalkeeper #23 Alphonse Areola walk past the trophy after receiving their silver medals during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony after losing the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. – Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

It is the second time in five World Cups that France have lost the final on penalties after their defeat to Italy in 2006, and it is Argentina who are champions for the first time since 1986.

World Cup
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony after the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. – Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

The win allows Messi, at 35, to complete his glorious career by emulating the great Diego Maradona.

Messi
Argentina’s captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he told Argentine television.”My career is coming to end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”

World Cup
Fans of Argentina celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, on December 18, 2022. (Photo by TOMAS CUESTA / AFP)