Despite his accolades at the club level, one criticism of international football icon Lionel Messi was his failure to win titles with the Argentinian national team. However, in the past year and a half, Messi did precisely that — and in grand fashion.
In July 2021, he led Argentina to a Copa America title against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro — breaking a 28-year title drought. Now, he took the Albiceleste to its much-awaited third World Cup title, defeating France in a tense penalty shootout and scoring two times in a game that finished 3-3 after 120 minutes.
In doing so, Messi broke the record for World Cup appearances with 26 and finished the tournament in Qatar as the leader in assists (3, tied with England’s Harry Kane) and with seven goals (one fewer than France’s Kylian Mbappé).
The first half was an Argentinian massacre. The Albiceleste kept France from building any offensive action by controlling possession and dictating the game’s tempo. Winger Ángel Di María was awarded a penalty — converted by Lionel Messi in the 23rd minute — and scored the second goal himself in a 37th-minute counter-attack.
For all their offensive prowess in the lead-up to the final, France only managed their first shot in the 68th minute. The usually deadly Kylian Mbappé was a non-factor for most of the match.
However, the French would only enter the game in the 80th minute, as Mbappé converted a penalty. Two minutes later, number 10 scored again, drawing them level.
Argentina seemed deflated after the equalizer. France had two opportunities to with, though the Albiceleste were more willing to avoid a tragedy and take the game into extra time.
As the game resumed, Argentina dominated for all 30 minutes of extra time. In the 108th minute, a brilliant Argentinian attack finished with Messi putting them 3-2 ahead. Nevertheless, ten minutes later, France clawed back into the game after a handball by Gonzalo Montiel resulted in a penalty, converted by Mbappé.
In the 122nd, the Argentinian goalkeeper stopped what would be the French winning goal with a magical save.
Despite it allowing him to pull level with Pelé and Messi on 12 World Cup goals, Mbappé’s hat trick would not be enough to win him the trophy.
Similarly to the quarter-final against the Netherlands, Argentina avoided a mental collapse after a late equalizer and won on penalties, as France’s Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni failed to convert their spot-kicks.
Before the tournament, Messi said this World Cup would be his last. It started with a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia and a possible elimination already in the second group-stage match. But it couldn’t have finished more sweetly.
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