Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 on pens): Messi wins the World Cup

Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 on pens): Messi wins the World Cup

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The Argentine star and his team beat France on penalties

Lionel Messi fulfilled his World Cup dream as his Argentina side beat France on penalties in a thrilling final at Lusail Stadium in Doha.

The former Barcelona and current PSG player scored twice in the game and again in the shoot-out, as his battle with team-mate Kylian Mbappe shaped a remarkable final.

The French striker netted three goals and a penalty in the shoot-out, scoring the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966.

Argentina lifted the trophy for the first time since 1986, a year before Messi was born. The forward finished as runner up in 2014, losing to Germany in the final, but everything was made right in 2022.

Ousmane Dembele fouled Angel Di Maria early on to get the ball rolling, with Messi dispatching it from the penalty spot.

Di Maria netted the second after a fine counter, with the Albiceleste well on top.

France looked beaten, suffering perhaps from the virus which has affected them, but Mbappe netted a penalty in the final stages, then volleyed home brilliantly to take the game to extra-time.

Emi Martinez made a stunning save just before the end to keep out Kolo Muani, who might have won the game for France.

Messi netted again in extra-time but Mbappe hit back with another penalty two minutes from time.

So, to the shoot-out, and both Mbappe and Messi struck from the spot.

Martinez denied Kingsley Coman and Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide, with Gabriel Montiel tucking home the penalty to win the World Cup.

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