In one of the most dramatic sporting encounters ever, Lionel Messi has led the Albacete to their first World Cup glory since 1986.
Argentina sealed their third World Cup triumph after beating the defending champions, France 4-2 to lift the prestigious trophy at the 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup. The game ended 3-3 after 120 minutes
In what will go down as arguably the greatest final game in the history of the tournament, Messi gave the Albacete the lead in the 22nd minute through a penalty kick beautifully executed to beat Hugo Lloris after Di Maria was brought down in the box by Dembele.
Messi became the first player to ever score in the group stage, the round of 16, quarter-final, semifinal, and final of the men’s FIFA World Cup.
Di Maria then registered his own name on the scoresheet in the 35th minute with a brilliant strike at the end of a counter-attack.
In two moments of magic, France completed their first comeback orchestrated by Kylian Mbappe with two goals in less than 100 seconds, one from the spot and another half-volley that beat Emiliano Martinez.
And when Messi thought h had finally won the match for Argentina with a goal in the first half of the extra time, Kylian Mbappe completed his hattrick in the game from a spot kick, to finish as the tournament’s top scorer with 7 goals and dragged the game into penalty shootouts.
Again, Emiliano Martinez proved that his penalty-saving skill is not a fluke, keeping Coman’s penalty out before Tchouameni also kicked his own wide, while Messi, Dybala Parades and Gonzalo Montiel converted theirs.
Enzo Fernandez won the Youngest player of the Year.
Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove as the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
Kylian Mbbappe went home with the golden Boot while Lionel Messi went home with the Golden Ball award as the Best Player of the tournament.
