DOHA– Argentina emerged as football champions after claiming victory in the nerve-racking final game of the FIFA World Cup 2022 as it defeated two-time champion France.
The nail-biting game was decided on penalties.
After the game went into an extra 15 minutes, France’s Mbappe scored the third goal for his team with all accredited to him, while Argentina’s Messi scored his second goal adding the third to his side’s kitty.
After an exciting final 20 minutes, the decider game extended into extra time. France’s Kylian Mbappe, earlier, scored twice in two minutes late in the game, including an 80th-minute penalty, to salvage a 2-2 draw with Argentina after 90 minutes and force extra time in the World Cup final Sunday.
The Argentineans had struck through captain Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria in the first half and were in complete control until Mbappe inspired a dramatic comeback for France, who had looked toothless for much of the game.
Before half-time, Argentina led France 2-0 after Messi netted his sixth goal of the tournament and Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage from a thrilling counter-attack.
Argentina dominated the opening stages and earned the penalty when Di Maria was fouled by Ousmane Dembele, with Messi sending France keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to move to the top of the goalscoring charts in Qatar.
Thousands of Argentina fans in blue and white outnumbered the handful of French supporters, creating an electric atmosphere and effectively converting the Lusail Stadium into a home game for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
The second goal came when Argentina countered down the right flank through Alexis Mac Allister, who crossed the ball to the far post where Di Maria steered a shot past the onrushing Lloris to the delight of the fans.
SOURCE: GEO NEWS
