It was a match that lived up to every expectation. The star power of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé did not disappoint as Argentina and France battled it out in Qatar. The world looked on as an enthralling one hundred-twenty minutes led to decisive penalty kicks. When the dust settled, after 17 years and 172 games with his national team, Lionel Messi finally captures the elusive World Cup title.
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The Argentinian defense kept France in check for the first seventy-five minutes, limiting Mbappé to just eleven first-half touches. A Lionel Messi penalty kick score in the twenty-third minute followed by an Ángel Di María goal in the thirty-sixth minute had Argentina flying high at the half. Les Bleus roared to life in the eightieth minute when Mbappé netted a penalty kick to cut the deficit in half. Then, a mere minute and a half later, Mbappé miraculously scored again to tie the match. Argentina thought they had won when Messi pounced to score in extra time, only to have France equalize again as Mbappé completed a hat trick to send the match to a shootout.
Messi and Mbappé converted the opening penalties, then Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved the next two France attempts. Then Gonzalo Montiel stepped up and converted his shot to help Argentina to a 4-2 victory on penalties. Argentina becomes just the second team in history to win the World Cup after losing their first match.
Kylian Mbappé’s eight goals in the tournament – the most since Ronaldo in 2002 – won him the Golden Boot award. Additionally, this World Cup set records for the most goals, most time added, and most matches decided by shootouts in tournament history.
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