Lionel Messi reached his goal as Argentina defeated France in the FIFA World Cup final in one of the most exciting games of the year with 13 days left in the year.
After leading his team to victory in the FIFA World Cup 2022, Lionel Messi arrived at the promised land in the month of December. Argentina and Messi won the game on penalties after a thrilling match, giving La Albiceleste their third World Cup victory and ending a 36-year drought. Messi and company also ended a 20-year World Title drought in South America, which had persisted since Brazil’s victory in 2002.
On December 18 at the Lusail Stadium, Messi and his team sprinted to a 2-0 lead before Kylian Mbappe returned with his usual wizardry to make the score 2-2. But after another back-and-forth struggle in extra time, Messi emerged with the World Cup trophy in his grasp after the penalty shootout decided the outcome.
The #FIFAWorldCup Champions club has a glorious new entrant 🇦🇷
🏆 Lionel Messi’s Argentina! pic.twitter.com/pZxZYRs8O3
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 19, 2022
What specifically occurred throughout the game?
For the first 80 minutes, Argentina dominated and appeared to be cruising to their first World Cup victory since 1986. After Ousmane Dembele was adjudged to have tripped Angel Di Maria in the 23rd minute, Messi gave his team the lead from the penalty spot, even though it appeared to be a soft call.
After a wonderful sweeping play led by Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, Juventus winger Angel Di Maria added Argentina’s second goal as France appeared to be feeling the effects of illness that had been going around the camp earlier in the week.
When Randal Kolo Muani, an outstanding substitution, was tripped by Nicolas Otamendi in the 79th minute, Les Bleus were given a chance to draw the game. Mbappe’s first goal of the night came from the penalty spot, and he added an incredible second goal just 90 seconds later to force extra time.
Messi believed he had sealed the victory for his team when, in the 108th minute, goal-line technology confirmed his rebounding strike. But after Gonzalo Montiel was called for a handball with only a few minutes remaining, France was given another penalty.
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