Argentina beat France to win the 2022 world Cup
Argentina beat France to win the 2022 world Cup
Argentina beat France to win the 2022 world Cup
Argentina beat France on penalties to win the World Cup after an astonishing final finished 3-3 in normal time.
Olivier Giroud was deemed fit enough to start for France despite reports of a knee injury on Saturday, whilst Lionel Messi led the line for Argentina to become the man with the most World Cup appearances.
It was Argentina who started the brighter of the two teams as Messi looked to orchestrate things from his usual position behind Julian Alvarez.
Alexis Mac Allister had the first effort of the day as his 25 yard effort went straight down the throat of Hugo Lloris.
It was an incredibly nervy opening 15 minutes from France with Didier Deschamps’ side struggling to get the best out of their attacking players.
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And that nervousness showed on 22 minutes as Ousmane Dembélé tripped Di Maria inside the area for a penalty.
Up stepped Messi, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward placing it into the bottom corner for the opening goal.
The South Americans were flying now and doubled their lead on 36 minutes as Di María finished off a sparkling counter-attack.
France had to do something, but Deschamps went for the nuclear option on 40 minutes, as Giroud and Dembélé were both subbed to the shock of everyone watching.
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Into the second half and Lionel Scaloni’s side were once again the dominant team with Les Bleus struggling to contain Messi and Di Maria.
France had their first corner of the game on 50 minutes but Emi Martinez dealt with the danger with consummate ease.
The Albiceleste weren’t resting on their laurels though and almost netted a third but Alvarez’s low effort was saved well by Lloris.
With 25 minutes to go, finally France were starting to get into this match.
Antoine Griezmann put in a superb cross from the left that flew through the box and then Kolo Muani had a header that went wide of the post.
France eventually got their first shot on target on 78 minutes but Mbappé’s effort was saved with ease.
Les Bleus were given a lifeline with 10 minutes to go however, as Kolo Muani was hauled down by Otamendi inside the area.
And it was Mbappé who netted from the spot as his penalty squirmed past Martinez and into the bottom corner.
This game then took a huge turn as Mbappé found himself some space inside the area and fired a brilliant effort past Martinez for the equaliser.
Messi had a great chance to net a winner in the seventh minute of injury time but his effort was palmed over the bar by Lloris.
The first half of extra time came and went but Argentina could have scored late on but Lautaro Martinez’s effort was blocked brilliantly by Dayot Upamecano.
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But it was Messi who scored what looked like the winner with 10 minutes of the game remaining as he bundled over from close range.
This match took another ridiculous turn with four minutes remaining as France got a second penalty which Mbappé netted for his hat-trick.
An astonishing final almost had a winner right at the death as Kolo Muani saw his effort saved by Martinez and right up the other end Martinez’s header went wide when it looked easier to score.
We went to penalties as France missed first through Kingsley Coman and then Aurelien Tchoumeni put it wide.
Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Montiel all scored for Argentina winning them the trophy.
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