At last, Lionel Messi’s dream of World Cup glory comes true after Argentina beat France in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The Pulsating Final: It was a 3-3 across 120 minutes, with momentum swinging both ways until Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty in the extra time.
Messi playing his final World Cup, scored twice but France’s Kylian Moappe netted a stunning hattrick.
Messi’s penalty and Angel di Maria’s goal in the first half appeared to have settled the tie until Mbappe scored two late goals - one in penalty, pushing the game into extra time.
Then Messi appeared to have sealed victory with a goal in the 108th minute but Mbappe, again, equalized that score.
France’s Kingsley Coman shot his kick only to be saved by Emilano Martinez and Aurelien Tchouament put that extra effort but the World Cup swayed to Argentina with Montiel’s shootout.
Presentation Ceremony : The world’s biggest sporting event comes to close with culminating Presentation ceremony. FIFA President Gianni Infantino took the centre stage followed by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Ali Thani, the Emir of Qatar. The 6.175 kg gold trophy was brought to the stage by FIFA legends Serigo Batista and Nery Pumpido.
Messi is last to receive the winners’ medal. Wrapped in traditional robe he lifted up the trophy and the moment is electric. Messi has three assists in this World Cup.
Hattrick : Kylan Mbappe wins the golden Boot for scoring eight goals and secured the hat-trick tonight, surpassing Messi’s seven. Mbappe won his maiden World Cup with france in the 2018 edition in Russia. With 12 overall goals in the tournament, he has equaled Pele’s goal-tally and is the only player, after Geoff Hursist, to score a hat-trick in the World Cup Final.
Ace Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez is the goalkeeper of the tournament. He made two saves each in the quarterfinal shootout against Netherlands and the final shootout against France that ushered Argentina to the World Cup title. He also made the decisive late time saves against Australia in the Round of 16 match against France in the final.
Youngest Player : The Youngest Player award goes to Enzo Fernandez of Argentina. Fernandez, 21, isa central midfielder who plays for Portuguese club Benfica, and scored his maiden goal national side against Mexico in Argentina’s second group match. He also assisted Julian Alvarez kick goal in the match against Poland, which Argentina won 2-0 and entered the knockout round.
