Argentina Wins World Cup: Messi's Crowning Glory in Epic Final
The Lusail Stadium bore witness to a footballing spectacle for the ages as Argentina defeated France 3-3 (4-2 on penalties) in the World Cup 2022 final. What unfolded on December 18, 2022, was not merely a match, but a drama in three acts, a rollercoaster of emotions, and ultimately, the coronation of Lionel Messi as a World Cup champion, solidifying his legacy as perhaps the greatest of all time.
A Dominant Argentine First Half
From the opening whistle, Argentina asserted a dominance that few predicted against the reigning champions. Lionel Scaloni's tactical setup was clear: suffocate France's midfield and isolate their key attackers. The decision to start Ángel Di María on the left wing proved inspired, with his direct running and trickery causing immediate problems for Jules Koundé. Argentina’s midfield, anchored by Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, outmaneuvered Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni, denying France any rhythm.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. Di María, cutting in from the left, drew a clumsy challenge from Ousmane Dembélé inside the box, resulting in a penalty. Lionel Messi, with characteristic composure, slotted it home, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way. The goal ignited the Argentine faithful and seemed to deflate France.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 36th minute with a breathtaking counter-attack. Messi initiated the move with a sublime flick, Julian Álvarez played a perfectly weighted pass to Mac Allister, who then threaded it through to a surging Di María. The veteran winger, tearfully emotional, finished clinically past Lloris. At 2-0 down, France looked shell-shocked, their attacking prowess completely nullified, and Didier Deschamps was forced to make a drastic double substitution before half-time, bringing on Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram for Dembélé and Olivier Giroud.
France's Stunning Comeback: The Mbappé Show
The second half began with France showing slightly more intent, but Argentina still appeared comfortable, managing the game effectively. It wasn't until the 79th minute that the narrative took an astonishing turn. Kolo Muani, who had been a livewire since coming on, won a penalty after being fouled by Nicolás Otamendi. Kylian Mbappé stepped up and coolly converted, offering France a glimmer of hope.
Just 97 seconds later, the impossible happened. Mbappé, seizing on a clever flick from Thuram, unleashed a spectacular volley from the edge of the box that flew past Emiliano Martínez into the net. The stadium erupted, and suddenly, a match that seemed decided was tied at 2-2. Mbappé had single-handedly dragged France back into contention, showcasing his incredible talent and mental fortitude under immense pressure. The final minutes of regular time were a frantic affair, with both teams pushing for a winner, but the whistle blew, sending the epic encounter into extra time.
Extra Time Drama and Penalty Shootout
Extra time proved to be another chapter of relentless drama. Argentina, having absorbed the shock of France's comeback, regrouped and started to create chances again. Lautaro Martínez, brought on as a substitute, had a couple of key opportunities but couldn't convert. For more insights, see our coverage on World Cup History: Reliving Football's Greatest Moments.
However, in the 108th minute, the moment arrived. Messi, ever the orchestrator, found Martínez whose shot was saved by Lloris, but the rebound fell to Messi, who bundled it over the line. The VAR check confirmed the goal, and Argentina thought they had won it once more. The scenes of jubilation were immense, but France, resilient to the last, had another response. For more insights, see our coverage on The Enduring French Enigma: Why Les Bleus Consistently Contend for World Cup Glory.
In the 118th minute, Mbappé's shot struck Gonzalo Montiel's arm inside the box, leading to another penalty. Mbappé stepped up again, completing his hat-trick and becoming only the second player in World Cup final history to achieve such a feat. With seconds remaining, Kolo Muani had a glorious chance to win it for France, but Emiliano Martínez produced a miraculous, sprawling save with his leg, pushing the game to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout: Martínez's Heroics
The tension was palpable as the teams lined up for penalties. Mbappé and Messi both converted their opening kicks. However, Emiliano Martínez then produced another moment of brilliance, saving Kingsley Coman's penalty. Aurélien Tchouaméni then fired his effort wide, giving Argentina a significant advantage. Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes converted their spot-kicks with confidence, setting the stage for Gonzalo Montiel. Despite conceding the late penalty, Montiel stepped up and calmly slotted home the winning penalty, sending Argentina into delirium.
Tactical Masterclass and Key Decisions
Lionel Scaloni's initial game plan was executed to perfection. The inclusion of Di María was a stroke of genius, providing width, directness, and a goal threat that destabilized France. His midfield trio of Fernández, Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul dominated the central areas, preventing France from playing through the middle. The high press in the first half was relentless, forcing turnovers and keeping France on the back foot. However, the decision to substitute Di María in the 64th minute, arguably to preserve his energy, coincided with a shift in momentum that France capitalized on.
Didier Deschamps, on the other hand, was forced into reactive changes. His early substitutions of Dembélé and Giroud were bold and necessary, acknowledging the tactical failure of his initial setup. Kolo Muani and Thuram injected pace and directness, fundamentally changing France's attacking dynamic. Deschamps’ refusal to give up, even when 2-0 and 3-2 down, display the resilience ingrained in his French squad. Ultimately, while his team showed incredible fight, the first-half performance proved too deep a hole to dig out of completely.
Man of the Match and Standout Performers
While the official Man of the Match award went to Lionel Messi, it's impossible to ignore the monumental performances on both sides. Lionel Messi delivered the performance of a lifetime, scoring two goals, assisting another, and converting his penalty. He was the heartbeat of Argentina, dictating play, creating chances, and leading by example when his team needed him most. This was his tournament, his moment, and his legacy secured.
On the French side, Kylian Mbappé was simply sensational. To score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, including two penalties and a stunning volley, and still end up on the losing side, is a cruel twist of fate. His explosive pace, clinical finishing, and unwavering belief almost single-handedly won France the trophy. He proved he is ready to inherit the mantle of global superstar.
Other notable performers for Argentina included Ángel Di María, whose first-half display was magnificent and central in establishing Argentina's lead. Enzo Fernández grew into the tournament and showed immense maturity in midfield, while Emiliano Martínez, despite conceding three goals, made critical saves in extra time and during the penalty shootout, proving to be the hero when it mattered most.
What the Result Means
For Argentina, this World Cup triumph is monumental. It is their third World Cup title and their first since 1986. More significantly, it provides Lionel Messi with the one major trophy that had eluded him, cementing his place in the pantheon of footballing legends. The win validates Scaloni's project and brings immense joy to a nation that lives and breathes football. The victory will be celebrated for generations, and the team will return home as national heroes.
For France, the defeat is clearly painful, especially given their incredible comeback. While they failed to defend their title, their performance in the final, particularly Mbappé's heroics, highlight immense character and talent. The team, still relatively young, has a bright future with players like Mbappé, Tchouaméni, and Kolo Muani. Deschamps has built a formidable squad, and this experience, though bitter, will likely make them even stronger in future competitions. They will need to reflect on their slow start but can take pride in their resilience.
Looking Ahead
Both nations will now turn their attention to the qualifying campaigns for Euro 2024 (for France) and the Copa América 2024 (for Argentina), followed by the next World Cup cycle. For Argentina, the challenge will be to maintain this level of performance and potentially transition beyond the Messi era, whenever that may be. Their upcoming fixtures will likely include celebratory friendlies before competitive matches begin.
France will look to bounce back in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, with their next competitive games expected in early 2023. Deschamps will aim to integrate new talent and continue to evolve the squad, with the core of Mbappé, Tchouaméni, and others forming a formidable foundation for future success. This final, despite the loss, highlighted the incredible depth and fighting spirit of French football.
The World Cup 2022 final will forever be etched in history as one of the greatest matches ever played, a proof of the beauty and unpredictability of the beautiful game.