Argentina fans celebrate Lionel Messi goal in World Cup final
Lionel Messi cut an emotional figure after Argentina beat France to win the World Cup on Sunday afternoon. The 35-year-old scored twice during the showdown at the Lusail Stadium, while also converting a spot-kick in the penalty shootout. Kylian Mbappe notched a hat-trick for the defending champions but it wasn't enough, with his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate poised to steal the spotlight instead.
The 2022 World Cup final had it all. But, by the end of it, Messi was champion of the tournament for the first time.
The PSG star put his side ahead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute and, when Angel Di Maria struck, the game appeared to be in the bag.
France had other ideas, however, and Mbappe netted a wonderful double in normal time to prolong the contest even more.
Messi then struck against for Argentina, only for Mbappe to score a second penalty of the game to force a dramatic shootout at the death.
In the end, the night belonged to the South Americans - with Messi converting his spot-kick before Gonzalo Montiel converted the winner following misses from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni.
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Lionel Messi starred as Argentina beat France to win the World Cup (Image: GETTY)
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“The way Argentina kept going, the mentality they had to score in terms of the belief. Well done and thank you for entertaining us. It was just unbelievable.”
Messi sung songs with his team-mates, too, while Mbappe looked a dejected figure on the bench following the defeat.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has admitted he feels sorry for France and manager Didier Deschamps, with their poor start ultimately costing them at the Lusail.
“I feel for Didier Deschamps and his French team,” he said.
“They showed so much resilience, kept coming back, but this is Messi's final.”