argentina vs france presentation ceremony

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Argentina wins the 2022 World Cup

By Matt Meyer , Mike Hayes and Issy Ronald, CNN

We've wrapped up our live coverage of Qatar 2022. Read more on the thrilling final between Argentina and France here , or scroll through the updates below.

How the world reacted to "the best World Cup final ever"

From CNN's Issy Ronald

This  World Cup final  was a game that seemed to defy comprehension, conventions and any attempt to describe it.

It was — as the world seemed to settle on in an attempt to sum it all up — simply the greatest final ever.

“Best World Cup Final ever,” Usain Bolt   tweeted , alongside pictures of himself in an Argentina jersey at Lusail Stadium.

“We’re breathless up here. It was just an unbelievable final. It was a pleasure to be here. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like it again. It was staggering,” former England international Alan Shearer said on the BBC.

Here are some of the other reflections from wowed spectators around the world:

• “My god, #FIFAWorldCup. This game is a gorgeous, evil curse. I love it so much make it stop,” actor Ryan Reynolds   tweeted  just after Messi’s goal made it 3-2 to Argentina in extra time.
• “Ok if I have a heart attack it’s cause I’m watching this #FIFAWorldCup,” Serena Williams   tweeted .
• Telemundo commentator Andrés Cantor simply repeated: “Argentina es campeón del mundo” – Argentina is world champion – as he called the winning moment, hugging his co-commentator Claudio Borghi and his voice cracking with emotion.
• Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández tweeted: “Thanks to the players and coaching team. They are the example that we should not give up. That we have great people and a great future.”
• “Happy with the victory of the Argentine neighbours. Great game from Messi, who deserved this a lot, and Di Maria. Congratulations to the players, the Argentina coaching staff and my friend @alferdez,” Brazil’s President Lula da Silva   tweeted  alongside an emoji of the Argentinian flag.
• French President Emmanuel Macron , who had travelled to Qatar for the final,  tweeted : “Les Bleus made us dream.” He appeared on the pitch after the match and comforted Mbappé as the 23-year-old stared blankly into the night.

"On top of the world": Argentina players struggle to find the words to sum up World Cup triumph

From CNN's Ben Church

Lionel Messi and his  Argentina  teammates were certainly made to suffer, but eventually they got their hands on the  World Cup trophy Sunday , in arguably the greatest final of tournament history.

It’s a moment that will never be forgotten. Argentina’s heroic players could barely sum up their feelings after the full-time whistle.

“I’ll never forget it. We had to suffer but we deserved to win,” said Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul after the match, per Reuters. “We’ve beaten the last champions. It’s a joy I cannot put into words. I’m proud of being born in Argentina and today we are on top of the world.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who guided the team through highs and lows at Qatar 2022, was emotional after the match and struggled to hold back tears as his players embraced him.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Scaloni said, per Reuters. “I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group. With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional.

“I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country."

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was crowned the tournament’s best young player.

“It is a moment that I will never erase in my life,” he said, per Reuters. “Having the chance to win the World Cup with my country is priceless. Let’s take the cup and celebrate together.”

Next up: The 2026 World Cup in numbers

From CNN's Jhasua Razo and Marco Chacón

Now the countdown begins to the next men's World Cup in 2026 .

It will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will be the first time that the event has been held across three countries, and only the second time the United States will play host. Mexico will set a new record by hosting the championship event for the third time.

Here's a look at some more of the numbers that will make the 2026 tournament unique ( check it out in interactive format here ):

• Forty-eight teams will participate at the 2026 World Cup.
• They will compete in 16 groups of three teams each.
• The top two teams from each group will advance to a massive 32-team knockout phase with single elimination.
• Eighty games will be played — that is 16 games more than the World Cup in Qatar, where 64 games were played.
• Sixty matches will be played in the United States. The remaining 20 will be distributed between Mexico and Canada, and will only be assigned to the group stage.
• Eleven cities in the United States will host matches. They include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
• Three in Mexico will be hosts: Mexico City Guadalajara and Monterrey; and two in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver.
• Five billion dollars is expected in economic activity in North America with this event.

More details, including locations for the opening and final matches, are still being determined.

Qatar 2022 concluded on International Migrants Day, bringing fresh criticism of the tournament host

From CNN’s Larry Madowo in Doha

Several international bodies have renewed sharp criticisms of Qatar and FIFA for glaring human rights abuses and the exploitation of migrant workers before and during the 2022 World Cup.

The World Cup final on Sunday coincided with both International Migrants Day and Qatar National Day. 

On Friday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised volunteers and organizers for staging the “best World Cup ever,” but activists and critics say Infantino’s comment ignores the sacrifices of migrant workers, who deserve compensation for unpaid wages, injuries and deaths .

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Equidem, Migrant Defenders and other groups have all called on Qatar and FIFA to do more for the workers who delivered the 2022 World Cup.  

“However good the football has often been, the tournament has come at a heavy cost for hundreds of thousands of workers who have paid illegal recruitment fees, had wages stolen or even lost their lives,” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's head of economic and social justice, said Saturday in a statement to CNN.

“These workers and their families deserve compensation, and we are still waiting for FIFA and Qatar to commit to ensuring remedy for everyone who made this World Cup possible,” Cockburn added.

Cockburn acknowledged that Qatar has instituted some labor reforms, but said that they don’t go far enough. Minky Worden, the director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, agreed.

“Even the labor reforms Qatar did make came too late, were too narrow in scope, or were too weakly implemented to benefit many workers,” she wrote in a blog post published Friday ahead of the World Cup final.

Qatar’s government says that over  30,000 foreign laborers were brought in to build the stadiums  for the World Cup. Seven new stadiums for the World Cup rose from the desert, and the Gulf state expanded its airport, constructed new hotels, rail and highways. 

All were constructed by migrant workers, who — according to Amnesty International — account for 90% of the workforce in a near-three million population. 

What's next? Here's what you need to know about the 2026 World Cup

From CNN's Matt Foster and Matias Grez

Matches for the 2026  World Cup  will be held in 11 US cities as well as three host sites in  Mexico  and two in  Canada , soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, announced.

The 16 host cities will be: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.

FIFA officials will decide at a later date which of the 16 cities will host group play and which will host elimination round matches.

The 2026 men’s World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, and it is the first time matches will be played in three countries.

It will be the second time the US has hosted the World Cup after the first in 1994, and a record third time for Mexico, which also hosted in 1970 and 1986. It will be the first time a men’s World Cup match has been held in Canada, though the country did host the Women’s World Cup in 2015.

“We congratulate the 16 FIFA World Cup Host Cities on their outstanding commitment and passion,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a news release. “Today is a historic day – for everyone in those cities and states, for FIFA, for Canada, the USA and Mexico who will put on the greatest show on Earth. We look forward to working together with them to deliver what will be an unprecedented FIFA World Cup and a game-changer as we strive to make football truly global.”

Award roundup: Here’s who took home the top prizes at the 2022 World Cup

The most important hardware for any player at a World Cup is the championship trophy, but some other prestigious honors were also handed down on a stage at Lusail Stadium after today's final.

Here's a roundup of the winners:

• Young Player Award: Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández
• Golden Glove Award: Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez
• Golden Boot Award: France forward Kylian Mbappé
• Golden Ball Award: Argentina forward Lionel Messi

Not familiar with the awards? The Young Player Award goes to a promising talent under 21 years old; the Golden Glove goes to the tournament's best goalkeeper; the Golden Boot goes to the player who scored the most goals; and the Golden Ball goes to the overall top performer.

Mbappé hat trick helps him edge out Messi for the Golden Boot

The race for the Golden Boot — the award for the player who scores the most goals in the tournament — hung in the balance heading into Sunday's clash between Argentina and France.

Fans who were hoping for some excitement in that contest were not disappointed. The lead changed hands multiple times in a back-and-forth finale.

With his first-half goal on a penalty kick, Argentina's Lionel Messi pulled one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé.

But Mbappé answered with two goals in the span of about 90 seconds in the second half, leapfrogging the legend in the tournament goal count.

One behind going into extra time, Messi tied Mbappé's total again with a go-ahead goal in the second period.

But yet another equalizer late in extra time gave Mbappé eight goals for the tournament and finally secured him the honor.

Here's where things stood when the final whistle blew:

• Kylian Mbappé (France)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Julián Álvarez (Argentina)
• Olivier Giroud (France)

Lionel Messi wins the Golden Ball award

After his team's triumph in the World Cup final, Argentina legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, the prize given to the best player in the tournament.

Messi becomes the only player in World Cup history to win the Golden Ball twice. He also won it in 2014.

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Live updates | Argentina wins World Cup final against France

Argentina players celebrate winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi holds up the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

France’s Kylian Mbappe the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer of the tournament after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates his side’s first goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Players of Argentina celebrate with Angel Di Maria after he scored his side’s second goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

The flags of Argentina and France hang from the roof of the stadium ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Fireworks go off on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

France’s President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left, shakes hands with France’s President Emmanuel Macron gestures on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Entertainers perform during the tournament closing ceremony prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Argentinian fans cheer before the the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

A flypast of takes place over the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, where the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France is going to be played on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team, a day ahead of the World Cup final against France, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Argentina’s Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

An Argentinian places a poster of their star player Lionel Messi’s before the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — The Latest from the World Cup final between Argentina and France:

Lionel Messi has scored his second goal of the match to put Argentina ahead 3-2. Messi scored at close range in the second period of extra time.

Argentina’s fans are trying to re-energize their team by singing their World Cup anthem “Muchachos” at high volume. The official attendance figure at Lusail Stadium is 88,966 and there is no doubt the Argentines are in the majority. But the French fans, quiet for most of the match when Argentina was ahead, are now making themselves heard as well.

The World Cup final is heading into extra time with Argentina and France level at 2-2. Two goals by Kylian Mbappé toward the end of the second half have put the defending champions back in the game.

Kylian Mbappé has made it 2-2. Just one minute after scoring on the penalty the France forward strikes again, on a volley.

Kylian Mbappé has scored on a penalty kick for France. Argentina is still in the lead 2-1.

The second half of the final at Lusail Stadium has begun.

Argentina has a 2-0 lead against France at half-time in the World Cup final after goals by Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.

Messi scored on a 23rd-minute penalty kick after a foul on Di Maria. Thirteen minutes later Di Maria finished off a flowing team move involving a deft flick from Messi.

Messi now has 12 World Cup goals — the same as Brazil great Pelé — and is the first player to score in the group stage and every round of the knockout stage in a single edition of the tournament.

Angel Di Maria has made it 2-0 for Argentina in the World Cup final.

Lionel Messi has scored on a penalty to make it 1-0 for Argentina against France. It was Messi’s 12th World Cup goal.

Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthäus.

Messi’s games have been spread over five World Cups, starting in 2006. He has 11 goals in total, tied for sixth in the all-time list.

Messi has said this is likely to be his last World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and defending champion France has started.

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Lusail stadium for the World Cup final.

About 45 minutes before kickoff, Macron was chatting in the VVIP section with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who played for four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who has had to watch the entire World Cup from the sidelines due to an injury.

Pogba scored in the final when France won the 2018 World Cup but was not fit for selection at this tournament.

Macron also attended the final four years ago, when France beat Croatia 4-2, and later celebrated with players in the locker room.

The closing ceremony for the World Cup featured artists from around the world performing songs from the official soundtrack of the tournament in Qatar.

The performers at Lusail stadium included Nigerian singer Davido and Qatari-based songwriter Aisha, Congolese artist Gims and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna.

The show, featuring fireworks and a light show, was meant to celebrate the world coming together for the monthlong tournament in the Gulf emirate.

Lionel Messi will lead an Argentina team containing Angel Di Maria, who starts for the first time since sustaining a foot injury against Poland in the final round of group games.

Di Maria takes the place of Leandro Paredes in midfield as Argentina again rolls out a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi one of the two forwards. Nicolas Tagliafico is preferred to Marcos Acuña at left back.

Kylian Mbappé starts up front for France alongside Olivier Giroud, who has overcome a minor knee injury. Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot come in for Ibrahima Konaté and Youssouf Fofana, respectively.

The lineups for the World Cup final:

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.

France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

Blue, white and red face paint is being applied and Champagne is on ice as France collectively crosses fingers and toes in hopes that Les Bleus will win their third World Cup title by beating Argentina.

French TV carried live images of the France team leaving its hotel in Qatar en route for the championship match and of the players arriving at the stadium. Among them, a smiling Kylian Mbappé looked particularly relaxed.

In Paris, the Metro operator marked the momentous occasion by temporarily renaming one of its stations, changing the stop “Argentina” to “Argentina-France, let’s go les Bleus!”

Players past and present sent messages of support.

“Playing a World Cup final is a childhood dream. Let’s go and get this third star! Allez les Bleus!” Zinedine Zidane posted on Instagram.

Striker Karim Benzema, the Ballon d’Or winner who missed this World Cup with a torn left-thigh muscle, posted: “The hour is come. All together. Let’s go.”

World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak is the first from Poland to handle the title game.

Marciniak, 41, missed working at the European Championship last year due to a heart problem.

“Only I and my team know how difficult of a time it was for me,” Marciniak said of his Tachycardia illness from which he has now recovered.

Marciniak has refereed both finalists already in Qatar. He handled France’s 2-1 win over Denmark in Group D and Argentina’s 2-1 win against Australia in the round of 16.

One of his assistants in the final is following in his father’s touchline steps. Tomasz Listkiewicz will hold a flag as an assistant running the line just as his father Michal did at the 1990 final in Rome, when defending champion Argentina lost 1-0 to West Germany.

The World Cup champions will earn $42 million in prize money for their soccer federation while the losing team in the final will get $30 million from a FIFA prize fund of $440 million.

Not all the money goes to players, but they are expected to get a good chunk of it. France players such as Kylian Mbappé are in line to be paid a bonus of 554,000 euros ($586,000) by their federation for winning the final, French sports daily L’Equipe reported.

Third-place team Croatia earned $27 million in prize money and Morocco, which ended up in fourth, will be paid $25 million.

Argentines woke up ready to watch the national team play for its third World Cup title amid a national feeling of unity and joy that is rare for a country that has been engulfed in an economic crisis for years and has one of the worst inflation rates in the world.

Argentina will face France in the final in Qatar and fan Guillermo Ortiz says “the whole city is dressed with the flag.”

Argentina last reached the World Cup final in 2014 but lost to Germany. Everyone in the country agrees the sense of anticipation and excitement for this year’s game is far higher than it ever was for that match in Brazil.

It’s now or never for Lionel Messi.

The Argentina superstar’s once-in-a-generation career will be defined — for many — by whether he leads his country to the World Cup title.

Can he finally, at the age of 35, win soccer’s biggest prize to secure his place alongside Pelé and Diego Maradona in the pantheon of the game’s greatest ever players?

Standing in his way is France, the defending champion, and Kylian Mbappé, the player best positioned to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s marquee name.

That’s if he hasn’t already.

Argentina arguably has the World Cup’s most fervent fans.

They are known for their rhythmical singing, incessant drumming and trance-like ferocity, and the country’s history of success at the World Cup is rivaled by few.

Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and lost in the final three times. This fervor will only grow as Lionel Messi leads Argentina against defending champion France in the final in Qatar.

Argentines take pride in the intensity and they are proud to be known for it around the world. They care deeply about soccer and they are among the best in the world at it.

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Argentina wins World Cup on penalty kicks over France

A World Cup final for the ages delivered a crowning glory for soccer icon Lionel Messi on Sunday as Argentina beat reigning men's champion France on penalty kicks.

One of the most dramatic major sporting events in history had the teams tied 3-3 after extra time, with the French ultimately missing twice in the shootout before Gonzalo Montiel converted to seal an exhausting and emotional victory.

Argentina had dominated the bulk of the match, leading 2-0 with just about 10 minutes to go, but France burst into life with star forward Kylian Mbappé scoring twice in as many minutes. Both sides traded missed chances and then late goals again in the 30 minutes of extra time before the tension of penalty kicks.

The game capped a month of sporting drama and geopolitical controversy in Qatar. The tournament featured surprise results and fairy-tale runs , but the final had two giants of the game compete for the title — headlined by a pair of stars.

The speedy and skillful Mbappé solidified his claim as the young pretender to Messi’s throne, scoring a hat trick as France came so close to being the first team to go back to back since Brazil in 1962.

But ultimately, it was Messi, 35, who took the glory, securing the trophy that cements his status as perhaps the game's greatest ever player by sealing a third title for his soccer-mad country.

Afterward, he said he isn’t through.

“I’m not retiring from the national team. I want to continue playing as a champion,” Messi said in a Spanish-language  interview with TyC Sports  after the final. “It’s the most beautiful thing there is.”

Follow our live coverage here.

What to know about the World Cup final

• Argentina wins on penalty kicks after a dramatic final ended 3-3 in extra time.
• France scored twice in 90 seconds late in the game to stun Argentina and tie the final.
• Argentina led 2-0 at the half thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.
• Sunday's final took place in Lusail, a city fast-tracked into existence for the World Cup, which has been clouded by criticism of host Qatar's human rights record , as well as the environmental and financial cost of the tournament.

Photo: Lionel Messi holds the trophy

Golden Ball awarded to Lionel Messi

David K. Li

Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, recognizing him as the tournament's most outstanding player.

Moments after being given the honor, Messi kissed the World Cup.

The resume is complete: Messi has his World Cup trophy

Teammates mobbed the great Lionel Messi moments after the winning kick, knowing he can no longer be dogged by the one trophy not on his mantle.

Despite being a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and a member of 10 Spanish League championship teams and four UEFA Champions League-winning sides, fans back home in Argentina had long held that missing World Cup trophy against him.

Argentina won last year's Copa America , but fans weren't satisfied until Sunday, when Messi's side won the sport's ultimate prize.

ARGENTINA WINS THE WORLD CUP

Gonzalo Montiel converts his penalty, and a dramatic final is won by Lionel Messi and his team!

FRANCE SCORES

Randal Kolo Muani ensures this isn't over just yet.

ARGENTINA SCORES

Leandro Paredes makes it 3-1. One away ...

FRANCE MISSES

Aurelien Tchouameni hits it wide, and France has missed 2 out of 3!

Photos: Fans watch as World Cup heads to penalty shootout

It's advantage Argentina! Paulo Dybala scores.

FRANCE MISSES!!

Kingsley Coman has his penalty saved by Emi Martinez!

MESSI SCORES! IT'S 1-1

We are tied on penalty kicks after 1 each.

Mbappé Scores! 1-0 TO FRANCE

Messi next ...

Kylian Mbappé to take first

He's scored two penalties already. Can he again?

Mbappé only second player to hat trick in World Cup final

Doha Madani

France's Kylian Mbappé is the first player in more than 50 years to score three goals in a World Cup final.

Mbappé, 23, scored two back-to-back goals at 80 minutes to tie the game after an early deficit for France. HE once again saved Les Bleus’ chances with a penalty kick goal.

England's Geoff Hurst was previously the only player to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup final. He was 24 when he made history against West Germany in 1966.

World Cup to be won on penalties

The 2022 World Cup final will be decided on penalty kicks after Argentina and France could not be separated at the end of extra time.

The shootout will bring back bitter memories for French fans, as the last World Cup to be decided by penalties was France's 2006 loss to Italy. Argentina may have a slight edge, having just won a quarterfinal in a shootout against the Netherlands.

Both teams have scored penalties in the game, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the decisive shootout.

Both teams miss huge chances to win it

First Argentina goalie Emi Martinez thwarts France with an incredible save, then Argentina pours forward and Lautaro Martinez heads wide.

One final twist?

We have three more minutes of a truly stunning final. Can someone win it before penalty kicks?

The NFL must go on as scheduled

English-language viewers in the U.S. will probably have to change channels if they want to see the World Cup trophy presentation.

With 1 p.m. ET NFL kickoffs approaching, postmatch action from Qatar will likely shift from Fox to Fox Sports 1.

It's 3-3. Kylian Mbappé scores again and we are tied!

The French forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and has a hat trick in the World Cup final.

PENALTY TO FRANCE

The drama isn't over ... it's a handball.

GOAL ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi has the ball in the net, and Argentina's players go wild.

There were suggestions of a potential offside in the buildup, but the goal stands, and Argentina leads this dramatic World Cup final 3-2 with 10 minutes of extra time to go.

Argentina misses chances

Argentina came close with a flurry of chances to end the first period of extra time.

Substitute forward Lautaro Martinez was twice played in behind the French line but missed thanks to a combination of desperate defending and wayward finishing.

The weekend of comebacks: Vikings and Les Bleus

The Minnesota Vikings scored the greatest comeback in NFL history on Saturday, and now France is on the verge of another historic rally.

The comparison wasn't lost on American sports fans.

Penalty kicks will follow if no winner after extra time

France and Argentina will be given two additional halves of 15 minutes to decide this final, and the match would go to penalty kicks if there's no winner after that.

The last World Cup final decided by a shootout was in 2006, when France lost to Italy.

Extra time underway

As if 90 minutes wasn't exhausting enough ... we're back underway for 30 more.

Messi almost wins it at the death

Messi may be 35, but he still has enough left in the tank to come oh so close to glory in the dying moments.

After consistent French pressure, a rare Argentina attack in the 96th minute saw the ball fall to Messi in a central position about 25 yards out. He struck a fierce shot that was just a little too close to French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who parried it away to ensure we would head to extra time.

90 minutes not enough to crown World Cup winner

France and Argentina are headed for at least 30 more minutes of play with the score tied, 2-2.

Extra time in the World Cup final is far from uncommon, as Germany needed more than 90 minutes to defeat Argentina, 1-0, for the 2014 crown in Brazil. Mario Götze scored in the 114th minute for the Germans.

Photos: Kylian Mbappé's  back-to-back goals

8 minutes of added time

The officials have added eight minutes on at the end here.

Is there time for one last dramatic twist, or are we heading for an extra 30?

Argentina gives up lead, echoing mistakes in Netherlands game

Soccer fans are in disbelief as France rallied from 2-0 goal deficit with back-to-back goals from Kylian Mbappé at about 80 minutes of play.

Argentina is echoing mistakes it made in the game against the Netherlands earlier in the tournament. The Dutch team equalized the game with two late goals in the quarterfinal. Argentina scraped a win on penalty kicks to advance to the semifinals.

France's comeback was unlikely after it had given up so much of the momentum to Argentina early in the game, but clearly not impossible.

Incredible. Kylian Mbappé has scored again, a second goal in two minutes.

A remarkable turnaround from the reigning champs, barely threatening for 80 minutes but bursting into life to level the final and stun Argentina.

It's 2-1 with 10 minutes to go after Kylian Mbappé converts the penalty kick.

Hugo Lloris staying busy, keeping France's slim hopes alive

Lloris, the French captain, has made four saves for Les Bleus, limiting what could be an even more one-sided match.

On the other side of the pitch, Argentina's Emiliano Martínez has not yet needed to stop an on-target French shot.

France has a golden chance to get back in the final!

Nicolas Otamendi brought down Randal Kolo Muani inside the area, and after failing to threaten for 80 minutes, the holders have a chance.

France finally takes a shot on goal after an hour of play

Kylian Mbappé took the first shot on goal for France at the 70-minute mark of Sunday's final match.

Les Bleus are being devastated by the Argentine team, which has taken nine shots on goal and leads 2-0. It's been an abysmal attempt to keep the title of reigning champions by France despite a strong defense and a lineup of stars.

Hugo Lloris making two big plays to keep match within sight

Julián Álvarez's left-footed blast from a short angle was saved nicely by Hugo Lloris in the 59th minute.

Then, moments later, Lloris made a desperate sliding clearance to keep the ball away from Alexis Mac Allister and what could have been another goal for Argentina.

Argentina eases its attack, plays keepaway from France

In a big shift in tactics, Argentina came into the second half taking its time as it looks to secure its lead without exhausting its players.

The team came back after the break and appeared to be slowing down the pace of play. With a 2-0 lead, Argentina is looking to keep possession away from France but without the pressure it previously applied.

France had to come back with a more aggressive offensive than it applied at the beginning of the match. All eyes were on Kylian Mbappé, France’s 23-year-old superstar.

But Mbappé hasn't shown the powerhouse attacks that have made him a French favorite.

France not making much headway into Argentina defense

Twelve minutes into the second half, Les Bleus have barely made a dent into Argentina's stout defense.

Argentina still holds a solid advantage in possession, holding on to the ball 47% of the time, compared to France's 37%.

This 2-0 deficit is looking more mountainous by the moment.

Was it a penalty kick? Referee's call draws scrutiny

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak wasted no time pointing to the spot when Angel Di Maria went down under the challenge of Ousmane Dembele midway through the half.

There appeared to be minimal contact, but the Video Assistant Referee saw nothing worthy of overturning the call. It will be scrutinized long after the game is over, but France has failed to perform regardless of the merits of the decision.

Second half underway

Argentina is 45 minutes, and maybe a few more, from glory.

France needs to turn things around to overcome the 2-goal hole it's left itself in.

France, down 2-0 at halftime, looking for a Swiss miracle

Only one team has ever rallied from a two-goal deficit in World Cup final history, and that was staged by a country that's no longer on the map.

In a match known as the "Miracle of Bern," Hungary scored twice in the first eight minutes before West Germany came back for a 3-2 victory in the 1954 final played in the Swiss capital.

France's mountain will be much more steep that West Germany's in "Das Wunder von Bern" as the underdogs responded immediately with two goals that had the match tied at halftime.

Helmut Rahn scored the winne r in the 84th minute.

A goal fit for the final

Argentina's second was a thrilling goal that saw them sweep forward at pace, exposing France's defense with pinpoint passes from Messi and others.

The inclusion of Angel Di Maria for Argentina was a slight surprise, but he won the penalty and then converted the second to justify coach Lionel Scaloni's big call.

Reigning champs outplayed

Though France came in as the World Cup's reigning champions, they failed to show up in the first half against Argentina.

The French team has shown a strong defense throughout the tournament and sought to pick its moments to attack. But cracks showed in the goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, and with the defense under pressure France's attack has failed to fire.

Argentina has 6 shots to 0 from Les Bleus, who will have to come out of halftime with a more aggressive game if they plan to overcome the deficit.

Struggling France makes early subs

France has barely had a kick so far, and now coach Didier Deschamps has made a pair of changes just before half time.

Center forward Olivier Giroud and wide forward Ousmane Dembele have been replaced by Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, who scored in the semi final.

It's surprisingly early to make drastic changes but France needs to shift things, and there were reports of players being struck by a cold virus and some injuries in the past week.

Argentina fans overjoyed as team leads first half 2-0

Argentina fans in Qatar and around the world are besides themselves after a surprise goal from Angel Di Maria offers the team a deeper advantage before the conclusion of the first half.

France is being dominated offensively as Argentina attempts to take their title as reigning champions.

GOAL FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina burst through the French defense with a sweeping move on the counterattack and Angel Di Maria lifts his finish past helpless French goalie Hugo Lloris to double his side's lead.

Another free kick for France

France was awarded a second free kick after Argentina fouled Olivier Giroud as he approached the goal.

It's the second free kick where France failed to score in the first half hour of the game.

Messi sends the goalie the wrong way and puts Argentina 1-0 up in the World Cup final.

Penalty to Argentina

Argentina has a penalty after Angel Di Maria was tripped inside the box by a French defender. A chance for Lionel Messi to give his team the lead...

France fails to take lead with free kick

France squandered the opportunity to take the advantage early on after being given a free kick just before the match hit the 20 minute mark.

The kick, taken by Antoine Griezmann, sailed toward Argentina's box where Olivier Giroud attempted to assist the ball into the net.

Unfortunately for the French, the bail sailed well over the net.

Photos: Fans gather in Paris and Buenos Aires

Roars all around the fan zones in Doha

Elizabeth Kuhr

Mithil Aggarwal

DOHA, Qatar — Hundreds of roaring fans took to the jam-packed fan zones across Doha as an alternative to the main stadium.

Ahmed Eid, 22, who is Saudi Arabian, said he was rooting for Argentina. "Because Messi. I love Messi," he said.

Another Argentian fan Daniela Tabia, 35, cried as the national anthem played moments before kickoff. "Soccer unites the people," Tabia, who is Cuban-Columbian told NBC News.

Argentina starts on the front foot

Argentina has applied pressure to the reigning champions early on in the final.

The team has already has a couple attempts on France's goal in the first 15 minutes of the gave, failing to score.

Messi led his team into the box for one failed shot on goal, but France's defense has proved hard to break down through the tournament

Argentina earned its first corner kick at about 10 minutes, however. It was taken by Messi and led to chaos in front of the goal that saw Hugo Lloris, the French goalie, go down as he got hit in the stomach while players scrambled.

Will Mbappé repeat Pelé's run?

The golden name in French soccer, forward striker Kylian Mbappé, will attempt to emulate the success of the Brazilian superstar Pelé today.

In 2018, Mbappe joined Pelé to be the only teenagers ever to score a goal at a world cup final. His stunning performance led France to its ultimate victory.

On Sunday, he goes up against his club teammate and Argentian captain, Lionel Messi, to secure his first two world cups, back-to-back, just like Pelé.

Elon Musk seen at FIFA World Cup Final

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and the new owner of Twitter, was seen at Lusail Stadium in Qatar attending the final.

Musk has been making headlines over his recent changes to Twitter policies, including suspending accounts of multiple journalists who cover him. He recently changed Twitter's terms and conditions to ban accounts who track the locations of private airplanes. He justified the decision by citing safety concerns.

Some Twitter users joked the risk of posting Musk's attendance at the World Cup for fear he might ban accounts for sharing his real-time location . The new Twitter policies don't ban users from posting their own location, which Musk did shortly after others noted his appearance at the game.

Americans in Paris cheer for France

PARIS, France — Minneapolis resident Casie Budolfson, 47, who was on a holiday with her 13-year-old son Rylan, was cheering for France.

"We’re gonna support France since we’re in Paris," she said, adding the French team was stronger.

“I think we should have more world sports events like this because everybody seems to put aside all their worries and watch the games,” said Budolfson. "Everyone just comes together," she added.

Final reminder: Here's how to watch the World Cup final

U.S. TV viewers can watch the Argentina-France match on their local Fox or Telemundo stations, for English and Spanish broadcasts, respectively.

Fox and Peacock will also stream the title match with kickoff at 10 a.m. EST from Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

"The party is going to be here," French fans cheer in Paris

PARIS, France — French fans from all across the country have flocked sports bars in Paris, as a celebratory festive mood takes over the streets before the big match kicks off.

"The party is going to be here, it’s going to be better," Lucas Yocom, 21, who came with his three friends from Vosges in northeastern France, told NBC News, adding that there was "no chance" for Argentina to win.“They have just Messi; we have a good team. A very good team. Everyone on the team,” he said.

The lineups are in

Here are how the teams line up for the World Cup final.

The headlines appear to be the return of experienced midfielder Angel Di Maria for Argentina, an attacking addition, and the return of Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot from illness for France.

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.

France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

The last time they met

Today's finalists also clashed in Russia in 2018.

A topsy-turvy game in the final 16 of that tournament saw France win 4-3. This Argentina side is much improved, however, and both teams play a style that may mean we're in for a lower scoring affair this time.

Messi's grand finale

This is not just a final between Argentina and France, it's also a tussle with history for Lionel Messi.

Argentina's legendary forward will try, one last time, to clinch what would be both his first and final World Cup at the age of 35.

With over 750 goals for club and country, Messi is already in the pantheon of soccer greats. He's scored five goals so far in Qatar, putting in his best performance on the global stage, and is now hoping to lead his country to its first title since 1986.

Can Messi win his first World Cup? France’s Mbappé stands in the way

The first half of france's bid for back-to-back world cups.

France is back Sunday to defend its crown after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

That tournament marked the emergence of Kylian Mbappé, who was just 19 at the time. He became the only teen after the Brazilian superstar Pelé to score a goal in the World Cup final.

France's other scorers that day were Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann. Pogba missed this tournament through injury but Griezmann has been a key player in the French run, working tirelessly and allowing Mbappé to focus on terrifying opposition defenses.

U.S. envoy to U.N. talks sports and diplomacy

Meagan Fitzgerald

DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told NBC News ahead of the final that major sporting events like the World Cup can help fuel progress and smooth diplomacy.

Host Qatar has faced criticism over its human rights record, but Thomas-Greenfield said “we hope we can influence those countries to make changes to accept people who are different...and you can’t do that if you’re not talking to them. If you’re not engaging. That’s what diplomacy is about.”

Scenes from the stadium

The huge environmental cost of the Qatar World Cup

Armelle De Oliveira

Patrick Smith

Air conditioning in huge open-air stadiums, hundreds of international flights, lots and lots of lights. 

More than a million people have traveled to Qatar for one of the planet’s biggest sporting events. But as it hosts the soccer World Cup, controversy is also descending on the tiny Gulf kingdom.

Alongside concerns over human rights, anti-LGBTQ laws and the treatment of migrant workers — issues that have dogged the tournament for years — critics say Qatar 2022 will be one of the most environmentally damaging of modern times.

Read the full story here.

All France wants for Christmas...

A World Cup in winter may feel strange, but fans taking part in the traditional Christmas bath in Nice this morning appear to have made a virtue out of it.

The song that's become the anthem for Argentina's run

Associated Press

If you've watched an Argentina game this World Cup, you've heard it.

Fans clad in blue-and-white have belted it out in the stands, on the streets of Doha and back home in South America. The team has joined in after games both on the field and in videos from the locker room.

"Muchachos,” which was written by a fan, includes references to soccer greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. It also knocks rival Brazil and pays homage to the Argentine soldiers who fought in the Falklands war against Britain.

“Guys, now we’re getting our hopes up again, I want to win the third one, I want to be a world champion,” says the chorus of the song you'll surely be hearing again once the game begins.

Morocco’s surprise World Cup run rallied a legion of Arab fans

Morocco won't be in today's big game, but the team's fairytale run to the semi finals will go down as one of the stories of this World Cup.

Led by coach Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal thanks to a style that combined stout defense with daring counterattacks.

Morocco lost to France in the semi finals, but not before they sealed their place in soccer folklore as the first African and Arab team to reach that stage. The run was backed by a legion of loud and proud fans in Qatar and beyond.

Why Qatar may see the World Cup as a win despite the criticism

Alexander Smith

Qatar’s World Cup appeared to be a public relations disaster.

The event has become a magnifying glass for the tiny petrostate’s human rights record, highlighting rather than airbrushing its treatment of LGBTQ people, women and migrant workers. On the field, the Qatari national team’s performances earned it the sorry record of being the worst showing by a host nation in the competition’s 92-year history.

But for this gas-rich Gulf peninsula, the real spoils of this tournament may be found elsewhere: satisfied visitors, business deals and international recognition that could lead to greater national security.

How they made the final

France qualified easily from the group stage and beat Poland in the first knockout round, before squeezing past England in the quarter final. Surprise package Morocco, the tournament's Cindarella team, were waiting in the semi final but Les Bleus advanced thanks to an early goal from defender Theo Hernández and a late second from young substitute Randal Kolo Muani.

Argentina opened its campaign with a shock defeat to unfancied Saudi Arabia but still recovered to top its group. A narrow win over Australia was followed by a tense penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands, which had knocked out Team USA a round prior. Messi then led a comfortable semi final win over Croatia. which had knocked out favorites Brazil a round earlier.

Bronze goes to...

It's the game nobody really wants to play in or let's face it, watch. But the 3rd place playoff gives the losing semifinalists a chance to exit on a high despite their disappointment at missing out on the big game.

On Saturday Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 to seal 3rd place, following their loss to France in the final in Russia in 2018.

A final for the ages

France, winners of soccer’s most coveted trophy in 1998 and 2018, is seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back men's World Cup titles since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.

On the other side Argentina is hoping to capture the country’s first World Cup title since the 1986 tournament, best known for a quarterfinal victory over England that featured legend Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.

Les Bleus against La Albiceleste. Kylian Mbappé against Lionel Messi. 

Follow our coverage here through kick off at 10 a.m. ET and beyond.

Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Max Burman is deputy editor in the London bureau of NBC News Digital.

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FIFA World Cup 2022

Finally. lionel messi leads argentina over france to win a world cup championship..

Russell Lewis

Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team's first goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images hide caption

Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team's first goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

AL DAAYEN, Qatar — The 2022 World Cup started terribly for Argentina. The shocking opening loss to Saudi Arabia - and the whispers began immediately.

Is this it?

Will Lionel Messi end his glorious career without winning a World Cup?

The statistics were clear. Losing the first game in group play makes it almost impossible to advance to the knockout round. Not only would Argentina advance, it won the group and kept winning and never stopped.

Now, with a 3-3 (4-2 penalty kick shootout) victory over defending champion France, Lionel Messi can call himself a World Cup champion in what was probably his final World Cup match. It's Argentina's third title and those early whispers have been replaced by tears and cheers.

La última copa/The Last Cup

Lionel messi is looking to win a world cup — and acceptance from argentina.

Argentina started the match against France with aggressiveness and relentless attacks. The French, who looked so dominant all tournament, struggled to find their rhythm, cohesion and energy it had showcased in Qatar.

Lionel Messi has been living in a soccer god's shadow. Will he finally surpass him?

The Argentina attack paid off midway through the first half. Argentina forward Ángel Di María scooted past France's Ousmane Dembélé who tripped him in the box and won a penalty kick.

There was no doubt who would take it. Lionel Messi, playing in his 26th World Cup game (the most ever in the men's tournament), walked up to the penalty spot, 12 yards from the French keeper. With a deep breath and calm strike , he powered it low and to the right. 1-0.

With the goal, Messi became the first man to score in every game of a World Cup knockout round in a single tournament (round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal and final).

Argentina's midfielder #11 Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022. Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Argentina's midfielder #11 Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022.

The South Americans were not done. In the 36th minute, Argentina managed to dissect the French defense across midfield. With just two crisp passes, it was Di María creating the chances, again , streaking into the box with a shot lifted above diving French keeper Hugo Lloris. 2-0.

After the goal, Di María trotted back to the Argentina side of the field, wiping away tears.

France looked out of sorts. Coach Didier Deschamps did the unthinkable - replaced two of his starters in the first half: Dembélé (whose foul led to the first goal) and all-time French scoring leader Olivier Giroud.

At halftime, defending-champion France looked shocked. The French star, Kylian Mbappé, had little to show in the first 45-minutes of the match.

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe and Argentina's midfielder #24 Enzo Fernandez fight for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France on December 18, 2022. Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe and Argentina's midfielder #24 Enzo Fernandez fight for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France on December 18, 2022.

Mbappé shined during the 2018 World Cup as a 19-year-old. The comparisons were many to another teenager with a stellar soccer pedigree: Pelé. (In 2018, Mbappé became the first teenager to score at a World Cup final since Pelé in 1958). At the 2022 tournament, Mbappé picked up where he left off.

He set another World Cup record — surpassing Pelé's record for a player under 24 with his 12 total goals. Mbappé scored eight goals in Qatar - entering the final tied with Messi with the overall goal lead. But against Argentina, Mbappé had been largely silenced. Which is saying something. His first recorded shot came in the 71st minute.

The nearly 89,000 people inside Lusail Stadium were overwhelmingly for Argentina - most wearing the team's trademark white and sky blue uniform. It was electric. They cheered every touch, every pass and every shot.

But in the 80th minute, Mbappé sliced the Argentina lead in half with a penalty shot to make it 2-1. All match long, France had been muted. Quiet. Unsure. But then the game's energy changed as France showed some life.

Then, 93 seconds later, unbelievably Mbappé did it again . He evened the score with a blistering right-footed shot beyond the Argentinian keeper Emiliano Martínez. 2-2.

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images hide caption

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

This is the French team everyone expected to see in the championship. It was finally Messi vs. Mbappé. The 35-year-old, one of the finest to ever play the game, against the 23-year-old, who continues to add to his impressive soccer pedigree.

The teams played nine more minutes in regulation - and eight more in stoppage time. Neither would score - forcing 30-minutes of extra time.

Argentina had been here before. It lost in the 2014 World Cup final when Germany scored in extra time and won 1-0.

This time it would be Argentina which scored in extra time. And was there ever any doubt who would knock it in? Lionel Messi, of course. The ball ricocheting in front of the French goal and Messi booting it in. In the 109th minute. His second goal of the evening. 3-2.

Of course that score wouldn't hold. A handling call inside the Argentine box led to another penalty kick attempt for France. And of course it would be Mbappé. And of course he scored in the 118th minute. A hat trick for the young French star. 3-3.

Both sides battled in the waning minutes. But it would come down to a penalty kick shootout to end what will likely go down as the best World Cup final in history.

Argentina got the early advantage. After penalty kicks scored by Mbappé and Messi, the Argentina keeper stopped the attempt by France's Kingsley Coman. Then, Aurélien Tchouaméni missed his attempt. It came down to Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel who scored the winning penalty kick. Tears and hugs and smiles for Messi and all of Argentina, really.

It had not been since 1986 when Argentina last won a World Cup carried by Diego Maradona - the man whose shadow has loomed large over Messi.

The 2022 World Cup belongs to Argentina. It's Argentina's third title and the first for Lionel Messi. The first time he can call himself a World Cup champion. It was his last chance. Now his resume is full.

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. Julian Finney/Getty Images hide caption

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Tom Goldman contributed reporting from Al Daayen, Qatar, and Russell Lewis reported from Birmingham, Ala.

• Kylian Mbappé
• 2022 World Cup
• Lionel Messi

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Kylian Mbappé scored only the second hat-trick in World Cup final history, but it wasn’t enough to deny Lionel Messi his destiny

• 18 Dec 2022 Argentina win the 2022 World Cup!!!
• 18 Dec 2022 EXTRA TIME, FULL TIME: Argentina 3-3 France
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 3-3 France (Mbappe 118 pen)
• 18 Dec 2022 Penalty for France!
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 3-2 France (Messi 109)
• 18 Dec 2022 EXTRA TIME, HALF TIME: Argentina 2-2 France
• 18 Dec 2022 FULL TIME: Argentina 2-2 France
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 2-2 France (Mbappe 81)
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 2-1 France (Mbappe 80 pen)
• 18 Dec 2022 Who are you supporting?
• 18 Dec 2022 HALF TIME: Argentina 2-0 France
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 2-0 France (Di Maria 36)
• 18 Dec 2022 GOAL! Argentina 1-0 France (Messi 23 pen)
• 18 Dec 2022 Penalty for Argentina!
• 18 Dec 2022 The teams
• 18 Dec 2022 Preamble

17 min: Messi slips De Paul into space down the right. De Paul cuts back for Messi, who fresh-airs his attempt at a first-time shot. Whether that’s better or worse than the manner in which Di Maria then shins wildly over the bar is a moot point.

16 min: Argentina have enjoyed 48 percent possession so far. France are on 39, while the ever-mysterious IN Contest has snaffled 13.

14 min: Argentina counter. Messi dribbles purposefully towards the France box and slides a diagonal pass down the left to release Di Maria into the box. But Di Maria is miles offside. Argentina will be far the happier at the minute.

13 min: A first touch for Mbappe, who probes down the left, then suddenly instigates a one-two with Rabiot. The return ball down the channel is too heavy and easy for Emi Martinez to gather.

12 min: Di Maria has been a complete handful since the get-go. Another ball in from the left finds Messi, but the little genius doesn’t have enough space in which to work a shooting opportunity. France close ranks.

11 min: A worrying couple of minutes for France as Lloris is checked over. He’s good to continue, but not very happy with the challenge by his Tottenham teammate. Not sure Romero could do much about it – he had been shoved from behind by Upamecano – but Lloris gives the referee the what-for anyway.

9 min: The corner leads to a tense game of head tennis in the French box. Rabiot half clears. Another aerial battle. Upamecano barges into Romero, who dominoes his way into the leaping Lloris. The France keeper and captain cops an elbow in the ribs from Romero. Down he goes, and on comes the trainer.

8 min: Messi sets Argentina on the attack with a clever pass from the centre circle to release Mac Allister down the left. He feeds Di Maria, who cuts back for De Paul. A shot from the edge of the D is deflected wide right. Had that gone on target, Lloris was rooted to the spot and beaten.

7 min: France steady themselves with some patient possession in the middle of the park.

5 min: A cheeky back-heel by Alvarez down the inside-left channel. He’s teed up Mac Allister, who aims a powerful arrow straight at Lloris from 25 yards. Easy for the keeper. This is a bright start by Argentina; not so positive from France. Early days of course.

4 min: Upamecano leaps all over the back of Messi to win a header and now it’s 1-1 in lectures from the referee.

3 min: Di Maria digs out a cross from an unpromising position on the left. De Paul and Messi combine to the right of the D. The ball’s scooped through to Alvarez, who attempts to poke into the bottom left while on the turn. An easy claim for Lloris, and Alvarez was offside anyway. But that was cute play from Argentina .

2 min: The first lecture of the match as De Paul needlessly shoves Rabiot in the back. The referee’s not happy, and tells him in no uncertain terms to rein it in.

France get the 2022 World Cup final underway. Griezmann back to Tchouameni, who launches long. Throw for Argentina. The only way is up.

Anthem passion-o-meter™. Lionel’s goes up to 11. He gives it plenty . Full pipes. Kylian, singing along with a cheeky smile, just about managed to stop himself bursting out with laughter.

The teams are out! Argentina in their albiceleste , France their bleu . It’s all too beautiful on this lazy Sunday afternoon. There’s a wild anticipatory atmosphere at the Lusail Iconic Stadium; it’s the World Cup final all right! Once the anthems and all other pre-match folderol are complete, edition number 22 will be underway. It really is on!

Pre-match postbag II. “There’s a whole card-deck of reasons why we could all live with Messi being on the losing side; I guess the most poignant is that then he would be remembered, as was Don Bradman, as having achieved all but the very final touch to his sport’s greatest career. In a sense, that’s one step more memorable than perfection itself. I admit that he might not be quite of the same mind” – Charles Antaki

“The philosopher Isaiah Berlin once wrote that great authors can be categorized as either hedgehogs, who have one big idea and fit everything to it, or foxes, who distrust big ideas and work from experience. In football the image of the great manager is the hedgehog type, Guardiola, Lobanovskyi, Michels and so on. Deschamps is not like that. Each tournament, his France play in a different style. Like Ancelotti, Ferguson and Happel, Didier is a fox.” – Kári Tulinius

“As exciting as this game will be, I saw Musk and Beckham arrive at stadium. That sums it up, money is the number one driving force behind these competitions” – Jeff Sachs

The final edition of the popular PENNANT WATCH. Argentina win it hands down. Just look at this beauty ( not pictured).

As for the French one … thankfully, so this isn’t a total fiasco, there is a photo of their finale pennant. And yes, it’s all right, you can never go wrong with the tricolore, though there’s a sense of the FA’s it’ll-do abomination about the whole thing. Will it do? Juste à propos de.

Pre-match postbag. “For all the talk about Messi and Mbappe, there’s also been (well-deserved) focus on Griezmann and the different role he’s played here from previous tournaments and at club level. But what has surprised me about that focus is people’s surprise that he is so defensively aware. This is a guy who has spent half his career with Atletico Madrid, being coached by Diego Simeone. It would have been almost impossible for him not to have learnt about defensive positioning in particular, even stood at the other end of the pitch during training sessions. Kieran Trippier said how much he learnt about defending while at Atletico and he was only there for 18 months. Griezmann could probably teach Deschamps a thing or two about that role, rather than the other way round, given how much time he’s been learning from Simeone” - David Wall

“Although I will only be ‘watching’ by means of your perceptive eyes, I am hoping it will be a good match, for everyone’s sake, but most of all that Argentina win. At least then we get the ‘was Messi better than Maradona’ arguments out of the way: they will be equals” – Jeremy Boyce

“Thanks for introducing the world to the word ‘nyaff’, the perfect noun for Putin. Could you please now describe Infantino as a ‘bauchle’?” - Gordon in Ayr

… and to complete a tuneful triptych, here’s the latest from our man on the spot.

Live is Life being played at the Lusail Stadium... remind you of anyone? — Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) December 18, 2022

While we’re on the subject of music, here are the national anthems that’ll stir the soul before kick-off. As Vanesa Valenti of La Nacion wrote in our pre-tournament guide to Argentina …

The Himno Nacional Argentino was written by the clearly multi-talented politician Vicente López y Planes and the music composed by Blas Parera and approved by the general constituent assembly in 1813. Initially it included a strong anti-Spanish sentiment, which was taken out in 1924. It starts “Hear, mortals, the sacred cry: ‘Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!’ Hear the sound of broken chains. See noble equality enthroned.” But because of the anthem’s length often at sporting events only the instrumental intro is played.

… and as Adam White and Eric Devin write for Get French Football News wrote in our pre-tournament guide to France …

An early (the earliest?) example of the “European march” style of anthems, La Marseillaise is arguably the world’s most recognisable and stirring. Written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg, its lyrics were meant to encourage soldiers to defend France against foreign incursions. It gained its popular name when it was adopted by soldiers who marched from Marseille to Paris to aid in the capital’s defence, and became the anthem in 1795. While it was later banned under Napoleon, it was reinstalled permanently in the late 19th century.

The closing ceremony has taken place. A celebratory “mash-up of songs from the World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack” performed by Aisha, Ozuna, Gims, Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal. Tracks included Hayya Hayya (Better Together) , Arhbo , Sepp’s Gonna Sexx Ya Up , Gianni’s Gotta Grind and Light the Sky .

Today’s referee, Szymon Marciniak, will become the first Pole to take charge of a World Cup final. The 41-year-old has already officiated matches involving Argentina and France during this World Cup. In the groups, he took charge of France 2-1 Denmark, booking Jules Koundé for standing on Victor Nelsson’s ankle, while in the round of 16 he whistled his way through Argentina 2-1 Australia without dishing out a single card.

Marciniak has quite the back story, as Robert Holmes explains: “I’ll be watching today’s game in Dublin with my good friend from Poland, Karolina. She’s not just a football nut, she also into referees (no idea) and is particularly excited for today’s game due to the man in the middle, Szymon Marciniak, hailing from her native land.

“She’s been telling me his origin story: as an undisciplined amateur player, he picked up a red card and gave the ref some backchat. The ref in question duly gave him the old ‘if you think you’re so clever why don’t you become a ref and show us how it’s done’ line. Challenge accepted, this he duly did and today he’s reffing the biggest match of them all. I can tell you, this Pole sitting beside me here is bursting with pride.”

Lionel Messi makes his 26th appearance for Argentina at the World Cup finals, breaking the all-time men’s record in doing so. There’s only one change to their starting XI from the semi-final against Croatia. Angel Di Maria – who hadn’t started since the group win over Poland, and played only eight minutes in the quarter-final victory over the Netherlands – takes the place of Leandro Paredes as Lionel Scaloni moves to a 4-3-3.

France coach Didier Deschamps goes back to the 4-2-3-1 starting XI named for the quarter-final victory over England. Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot both return having recovered from a virus, meaning Ibrahima Konaté and Youssouf Fofana step down. Hugo Lloris becomes the first goalkeeper to make 20 appearances at the finals.

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez. Subs: Armani, Foyth, Montiel, Paredes, Pezzella, Acuna, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Rodriguez, Dybala, Lisandro Martinez, Lautaro Martinez.

France: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud. Subs: Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Muani, Fofana, Veretout, Mandanda, Saliba, Coman, Areola, Konate, Camavinga, Thuram.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland).

The golden boot. Four players in this match are in with a shout of ending the tournament as the leading scorer. If two or more players finish with the same number of goals, assists will decide the winner. If that doesn’t produce a result, the player with the fewest minutes played will bag the prize.

5 goals Lionel Messi (Argentina): three assists, 570 minutes played Kylian Mbappe (France): two assists, 477 minutes played

4 goals Julian Alvarez (Argentina): no assists, 364 minutes played Olivier Giroud (France): no assists, 383 minutes played

Only four players have scored in more than one World Cup final: Vavá (1958 and 1962), Pelé (1958 and 1970), Paul Breitner (1974 and 1982) and Zinedine Zidane (1998 and 2006). Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé, both on the scoresheet in 2018. have a chance to add their name to that exclusive list tonight.

The Fifa World Cup roll of honour. Should Argentina win, they’ll become the first country from outside Europe to lift the trophy since Brazil, 20 years ago in Japan. Should France prevail, they’ll be the first side to retain the trophy since Brazil, 60 years ago in Chile. Either way, someone will be winning their third World Cup, which will fill the currently vacant 3 slot on this list, therefore making it more structurally pleasing to the eye.

5: Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) 4: Italy (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), Germany (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) 2: Uruguay (1930, 1950), Argentina (1978, 1986), France (1998, 2018) 1: England (1966), Spain (2010)

The head-to-head between the countries reads Argentina six wins, France three, and three draws. Eight of those games were friendlies, however, while another was a goalless draw at a 1972 tournament designed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Brazilian Declaration of Independence. Let’s not go down any of those rococo rabbit holes, and instead concentrate on the three showdowns that really matter: the only previous times Argentina and France have met at the World Cup .

1930: Argentina 1-0 France The French had just beaten Mexico 4-1 in a match that kicked off concurrently with USA-Belgium in another group; those two games were the first-ever World Cup matches. Two days on, they faced a fresher Argentina, and as if being knackered wasn’t enough, were effectively down to ten men after two minutes when Luisito Monti crocked Lucien Laurent (who clearly had used up all his luck when scoring the first-ever World Cup goal against Mexico). Monti went on to score the game’s only goal from a direct free kick nine minutes from time. Argentina went on to lose in the final.

1978: Argentina 2-1 France A pivotal game in a group also containing Italy and Hungary. Marius Trésor was in the process of tackling Leopoldo Luque while falling over when the ball hit his arm from close range. Daniel Passarella dispatched the controversially awarded penalty on the stroke of half time. Michel Platini equalised on the hour, following home after Bernard Lacombe’s delicate chip over keeper Ubaldo Fillol came back off the bar. The decider came on 73 minutes when Luque crashed home from the edge of the box. France were on their way back home, Argentina en route to the title.

2018: France 4-3 Argentina It was Kylian Mbappé’s time. Had Lionel Messi’s passed?

Welcome to the Guardian’s minute-by-minute coverage of the 64th and final match of the 22nd Fifa World Cup: Argentina versus France. One of these great footballing nations will tonight win the biggest prize of all for the third time in their illustrious history. It’ll be Argentina’s sixth appearance in the final; France will compete in their fourth. Where shall we begin, then? There’s only one place …

1930: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina … and it’s the first-ever World Cup final at the Centenario in Montevideo! Argentina led Uruguay 2-1 at half time through winger Carlos Peucelle and pencil-moustached striker Guillermo Stábile, but the hosts came back at them in the second half. Héctor Castro, who lost half an arm to a chainsaw while a teenager, crowned a 4-2 win for Uruguay. Stábile would have to make do with being the tournament’s leading scorer. Argentinian midfielder Juan Evaristo played this match in a beret .

1978: Argentina 3-1 Netherlands (aet; 1-1 after 90 mins) Argentina 78 was every bit as controversial as Qatar 22, played against a grim backdrop: General Videla’s military junta, the Disappeared, accusations of bribery. Step in self-proclaimed socialist César Luis Menotti, the manager doing it for the people. His efforts nearly didn’t get their reward, Netherlands striker Rob Rensenbrink coming within the width of the left-hand post of winning the final for the Dutch in injury time. Argentina escaped, and Mario Kempes spurred the hosts to extra-time victory on a pitch littered with ticker tape. Argentina finally got their hands on the World Cup, nearly half a century after coming so close first time around.

1986: Argentina 3-2 West Germany This was a fairly one-sided affair for 74 minutes, Jose Luis Brown and Jorge Valdano putting Argentina two goals up. But then a couple of Andy Brehme corners from the left turned the game. First Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tapped home, then Rudi Voller scrambled an equaliser for West Germany on 82 minutes. The game was suddenly in the balance … for three minutes, after which the previously quiet but utterly irrepressible Diego Maradona slipped a delightful through ball to Jorge Burrachaga, who had an awful long time to think about missing, but didn’t. Argentina had their second World Cup, a mere eight years after claiming their first.

1990: West Germany 1-0 Argentina Argentina at Italia ‘90 is one of the great under-rated World Cup campaigns. Maradona sashayed through the entire tournament metaphorically flicking Vs left, right and centre. He turned goalkeeper against the USSR and got away with it. He did for fierce rivals Brazil with one of the great assists, setting up Claudio Caniggia while being mugged and playing with a dodgy foot. He missed a quarter-final penalty against Yugoslavia, but then in the semi at his home club ground in Naples, put another in exactly the same place to knock out Italy, a country he’d nearly plunged into civil war during the run-up to the game with some hilariously brazen north-south divide-and-rule you-belong-to-me mind games. The final was a step too far, however. West Germany were too good, and the referee wasn’t having any of Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti’s nonsense. Off you go, lads. Thanks to a late Brehme penalty, the Germans had their third World Cup. Argentina could console themselves with having irritated purists and hipsters worldwide. Hats off to them for that. A bravura performance.

1998: France 3-0 Brazil France had twice previously fallen at the semi-final stage in spectacular fashion: 5-2 to Brazil in 1958, in a game in which Vavá crocked captain Robert Jonquet after 26 minutes; then in 1982 on penalties after an exhilarating 3-3 draw with West Germany, during which Toni Schumacher nearly killed Patrick Battiston. They’d also failed to turn up for the semi-final rematch with West Germany in 1986, but the less said about that 2-0 elongated yawn the better. So it was fourth semi lucky on home soil in 1998, when Lilian Thuram’s uncharacteristic goalscoring heroics turned things around against Croatia. Zinedine Zidane took up the attacking slack in the final against Brazil with a couple of first-half headers, Emmanuel Petit wrapping up a 3-0 win during the last knockings. The team became poster boys for the new multi-cultural France, and this may just be the first precis of the 1998 final that doesn’t take a deep dive into the subject of Ronaldo’s pre-match fitness.

2006: Italy 1-1 France (aet; 1-1 after 90 mins; Italy won 5-3 on pens) Zinedine Zidane nearly missed a Panenka, then stuck the nut on Italy’s Marco Materazzi. Beauty is truth, truth beauty, and that is all ye need to know.

2014: Germany 1-0 Argentina (aet; 0-0 after 90 mins) Argentina had laboured to a semi-final victory on penalties against the Netherlands, while Germany had done a number – specifically the number seven – on hosts Brazil. Lionel Messi wasn’t really at the top of his game during these finals, either, so with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, the result of this match seems inevitable. And yet. Gonzalo Higuain missed a golden chance to put Argentina ahead in the first half. He had an effort disallowed for offside. Rodrigo Palacio floated a chip off target while one on one with Manuel Neuer. Messi duelled with Neuer as well, only to drag dismally wide. Mario Goetze made them pay. To add insult to injury, an understandably seething Messi was forced to hang around interminably post-defeat to be presented with the player-of-the-tournament award. Oh Sepp. How could you be so tactless.

2018: France 4-2 Croatia The highest-scoring final since 1966 had pretty much everything. Mario Mandžukić scored the first-ever own goal in the showpiece’s history. Ivan Perisic equalised for Croatia with a pearler. France regained the lead through VAR, then pulled away with a spectacular quickfire second-half double through Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé. Hugo Lloris handed Mandžukić a little redemption on a plate, after which the heavens opened during the trophy presentation on Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Vladimir Putin was given an umbrella to stand under, though, the wee nyaff.

So that’s the historical context as the 2022 final looms. Not long now! Kick-off is at 3pm GMT, 7pm at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, midday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and 4pm in Paris, France. يحدث! It’s on!

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Argentina v France | Final | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary) Argentina v France | Final | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary)

Dec 18, 2022

Watch the highlights from the match between Argentina and France played at Lusail Stadium, Lusail on Sunday, 18 December 2022.

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Argentina beats france on penalties in epic world cup final as messi, mbappe put on a show for the ages.

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• Joe Prince-Wright

Argentina beat France in the World Cup final on penalty kicks as an epic clash played out during a pulsating 3-3 draw in normal time, as Lionel Messi won his legacy defining World Cup.

The GOAT debates are now over. Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.

This final may have been the greatest sporting event of all time.

[ MORE: List of Messi’s career honors ]

The victory secured Argentina’s third World Cup title in their history and their first since 1986. It is Lionel Messi’s first World Cup title as the 35-year-old was mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle amid tears, relief and unbridled joy.

This is what it is all about. And this game delivered one of the greatest sporting finals of all time as for just the third time in history, the World Cup was decided on penalty kicks.

WATCH FULL REPLAY

Lionel Messi scored the opener and set up the second for Angel di Maria as Argentina were 2-0 up at half time but with 10 minutes of normal time to go Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty and then smashed home another soon after to make it 2-2 and send the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina 3-2 up late in extra time as it looked like he had won it, again, for Argentina. But then Mbappe won another penalty kick and finished it to score a hat trick and make it 3-3 as he became just the second player in history to score a hat trick in the World Cup final.

[ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ]

Both teams had chances to win it in regulation but then Emiliano Martinez was the hero as he saved Coman’s penalty kick and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France, as Argentina scored all four of theirs and Montiel slotted home the winning penalty kick.

Cue wild scenes in Qatar, back in Argentina and from football lovers around the world as Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup his legacy deserved.

[ MORE: World Cup final odds, favorites, lines ]

Messi gets career defining win as epic finale delivers drama galore

Lionel Messi, 35, deserves this World Cup. For everything he has given the football world over the last two decades he deserves to have won it all. He delivered throughout this tournament and now his legacy is complete. He will probably overtake Pele and Diego Maradona after this. Until he won a World Cup, the debate was always there about who is the true GOAT. Now it ends. It is Messi. France played their part with their amazing comeback to force extra time and penalty kicks but there was a feeling of destiny around Argentina winning this World Cup, which Messi said would be his last. If it is his last World Cup, talk about going out in style. In 100 years from now we will be talking about Lionel Messi and we will probably be talking about this World Cup final too.

Stars of the show

Lionel Messi : Two goals, superb display and he got his World Cup trophy. What more is there to say? The 2022 World Cup was Lionel Messi’s World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe : Hat trick and delivered when France needed him most. He scored eight goals in the World Cup to win the Golden Boot and has scored 12 goals in the World Cup across two tournaments. Among active players only Messi (13) has scored more than the 23-year-old.

Angel di Maria : Scored and won a penalty before he was taken off. What an impact the veteran had. Good decision from Scaloni to start him.

Emiliano Martinez : Saved late on superbly from Kolo Muani and was the hero in the penalty shootout with a save.

Graphic via FotMob.com

How to watch Argentina vs France live, stream link and start time

Kick off : 10am ET - Sunday, December 18 Stadium : Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail TV channels en Español: Telemundo Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)

ARGENTINA WIN IT! LIONEL MESSI HAS HIS WORLD CUP! THEY WIN 4-2 ON PENALTY KICKS IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL. THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST SPORTING FINALES OF ALL TIME!?

Emiliano Martinez saves from Coman and Tchouameni puts his spot kick wide. Montiel has a chance to win the World Cup for Argentina...

WE ARE GOING TO PENALTY KICKS!

Kolo Muani almost wins it! What a save from Emi Martinez. And then Lautaro Martinez almost wins it at the other end.

GOALLL ! Argentina 3-3 France. Kylian Mbappe slots home the penalty kick after a handball on Montiel. Wow. Mbappe hat trick in the World Cup final.

This is a World Cup for the ages.

GOALLL ! Argentina 3-2 France - Lionel Messi forces home the ball after Lautaro Martinez’s shot hits Lloris in the face and Messi bundles home.

Argentina have been much better in extra time so far.

FULL TIME - Argentina 2-2 France - They somehow hang on for extra time. France have incredible momentum. Argentina all over the place. Extra 30 minutes coming up.

This is wild. It is intense. France are all over Argentina. Lionel Messi has a shot that Hugo Lloris saves. What a moment that would have been.

GOALLL ! Argentina 2-2 France - Mbappe volleys home. This is incredible. What a comeback. Just amazing.

🇫🇷 ¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE FRANCIAAAAAAAAA!!! 🇫🇷 🚨 ¡SE EMPATOOOOOOOOOO! ¡DOBLETE DE KYLIAN MBAPPÉ! ¡MBAPPÉ APARECIÓ! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #ARG 2-2 #FRA #MundialTelemundo #ElMundialLoEsTodo #Qatar2022 #ARGvsFRA pic.twitter.com/U6IdozDGL0 — Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 18, 2022

PENALTY TO FRANCE! - Argentina 2-1. Mbappe finishes after Otamendi drags back Kolo Muani.

HALF TIME - Argentina 2-0 France - This is going perfectly for Argentina. Can France go more direct and get back in this?

Subs for France as Kolo Muani and Thuram are on for Dembele and Giroud.

GOALLL ! Great counter from Argentina and some wonderful passing to find Angel di Maria and his finish is lovely. 2-0 to Argentina before half time. They are in dreamland.

🔥 Put this goal in a museum. Brilliant passing and movement. Lovely flick from Lionel Messi. Love the way Angel di Maria hit the ball into the floor on the finish. #ARG 2-0 #FRA pic.twitter.com/nSKXweMq3n — Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 18, 2022

Can France respond? Argentina can now sit back and hit France on the counter. It is set up perfectly for them.

GOALLLL ! Lionel Messi clips home the penalty kick as he keeps his calm to send Lloris the wrong way. 1-0 to Argentina.

🔥 Lionel Messi slots home the penalty kick to put Argentina in the final! #ARG 1-0 #FRA pic.twitter.com/zgTDN6jkPY — Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 18, 2022

PENALTY TO ARGENTINA ! Di Maria clipped by Dembele in the box. Huge chance for Lionel Messi to open the scoring. Argentina have started the final much better than France.

🚨 ¡PENAAAAAAAL PARA ARGENTINAAAAAA! 😱 Falta sobre Dembélé dentro del área sobre Ángel Di María… Para ti, ¿Es o no es? #ARG 0-0 #FRA #MundialTelemundo #ElMundialLoEsTodo #Qatar2022 #ARGvsFRA pic.twitter.com/vztsBjVOCz — Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 18, 2022

Key storylines, players to watch closely

The key battle and storyline is obviously the master against his apprentice. Will Lionel Messi, 35, win the World Cup trophy he has coveted for the lengthy of his legendary career? Or will his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, 23, lead France to back-to-back World Cups and the second of his young career? Elsewhere on the pitch the main battle will be fought in midfield.

The midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister have been sensational for Argentina, while defensively they are flexible to switch between a back four and five. Having Montiel and Acuna back from suspension gives Lionel Scaloni a selection headache as he looks to lead Argentina to their third World Cup trophy and their first since 1986 when the great Diego Maradona lead them to glory in Mexico. Can Messi do the same in Qatar? However, Messi has been nursing a sore hamstring this week and all eyes will be on him (naturally) and his fitness but he starts. Scaloni starts with a back four but Tagliafico starts ahead of Acuna at left back. Angel di Maria starts in place of Paredes, which points to Argentina having a go from the off.

As for France, well, they’ve battled their way through this tournament and the reigning champs have hardly been electric. But they’ve got the job done and are one win away from becoming just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups. Didier Deschamps was hit by huge injuries before this World Cup but his side have recovered extremely well with youngster stepping up. Ibrahima Konate came in for the semifinal and played very well but Dayot Upamecano starts ahead of him. Like Argentina, France still look a little shaky defensively. In midfield Antoine Griezmann is rolling back the years in his new deeper playmaker role and Aurelien Tchouameni has been superb playing in the holding role. Up top Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud are purring and give France incredible balance. Plenty of players have been hit by a sickness bug in the France camp, but all of them have recovered in time. There were also reports that Karim Benzema could return to the France squad for this final after he left just before the tournament kicked off due to injury and was never replaced but now he’s back fit. Deschamps refused to talk about that topic at length and Benzema is not included in the squad.

Voici le 1️⃣1️⃣ de départ pour notre 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲 𝗱𝘂 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲 contre l'Argentine ⚔️🔥 Coup d'envoi 16h00 sur @TF1 📺 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘̀𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗨𝗦 💪 #ARGFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/99GpTLVJsF — Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 18, 2022

France quick facts

[ MORE: Argentina’s history at the World Cup ]

Current FIFA world ranking: 4 World Cup titles: 2 (1998, 2018) World Cup appearances: 15 How they qualified: Qualified automatically from UEFA (Won Group D) Coach: Didier Deschamps Key players: Kylian Mbappe, Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane Path to 2022 World Cup final: Finished top of Group C ; beat Australia 2-1 in last 16; beat Netherlands on penalty kicks in quarterfinals; beat Croatia 3-0 in semifinals

Argentina quick facts

[ MORE: France’s history at the World Cup ]

Current FIFA world ranking: 3 World Cup titles: 2 (1978, 1986) World Cup appearances: 17 How they qualified: Qualified automatically from CONMEBOL (2nd place) Coach: Lionel Scaloni Key players: Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Julian Alvarez Path to 2022 World Cup final: Finished top of Group D ; beat Poland 3-1 in last 16; beat England 2-1 in quarterfinals; beat Morocco 2-0 in semifinals

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Argentina vs France: World Cup 2022 final – as it happened

All the updates from the World Cup 2022 final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties at Lusail Stadium.

This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the World Cup 2022 final between Argentina and France on Sunday, December 18.

• Argentina XI : Martinez, Molina (Montiel, 91′), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico (Dybala, 120′), De Paul (Paredes, 102′), Fernandez, Mac Allister (Pezzella, 116′), Di Maria (Acuna, 64′), Messi, Alvarez (Lautaro Martinez, 102′).
• France XI : Lloris, Kounde (Disasi, 120′), Upamecano, Varane (Konate, 113′), Hernández (Camavinga, 71′), Rabiot (Fofana, 96′), Tchouaméni, Mbappé, Griezmann (Coman, 71′), Dembéle (Kolo Muani, 41′), Giroud (Thuram, 41′).
• Live updates
• Match stats

That’s a wrap for Qatar 2022

After four weeks, 64 games and 172 goals, the Qatar 2022 World Cup came to a thrilling conclusion in Sunday’s final.

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates sealed a third World Cup win — and first since 1986 — for the South American side, shattering France’s dreams of back-to-back triumphs.

With celebrations well under way from Doha to Buenos Aires, our live coverage of the match is ending. But you can take a look at our other reporting on the tournament — the first ever held in the Middle East — and the reaction to Argentina’s victory here .

Thanks for joining us.

Photos: Messi and Argentina lift the World Cup

Take a look at Al Jazeera’s photos of the final here .

Thousands flock to winners’ parade

Tens of thousands have flocked to Lusail Boulevard to witness the winners’ parade.

The celebrations are just getting started. It is a struggle to find space.

Many who did not have a ticket to the match came to Lusail to catch a glimpse of Messi and the Argentina team. There are hardly any French flags here.

Music is blaring from speakers on the side, and security forces are keeping the crowds back.

Messi pledges to continue playing for Argentina

Lionel Messi has said he will continue playing for Argentina in the wake of winning the World Cup.

“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” Messi, 35, told Argentinian television following Sunday’s final.

The superstar forward had said prior to the match against France that the tournament in Qatar would be his last World Cup.

Deschamps rues ‘cruel’ defeat

France coach Didier Deschamps says the way his team lost the final was “cruel” after they came from behind to force extra time and then again to take the match to penalties, only to then lose via the shootout.

“We were not as good in the first 60 minutes against top-quality opponents, who had a lot more energy, but we came back from nowhere and turned the game around from a very difficult situation. That leaves us with even more regrets,” the 54-year-old told reporters.

“I don’t want to take any merit away from Argentina, but there were lots and lots of emotions, and it was cruel at the end because we were so close,” he added.

Deschamps, who led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, also suggested that the virus which laid low several of his players in the run-up to the final was partly to blame for their poor performance over the first hour.

“There were many reasons which explained why we were not as good. Several important players had less energy, but bringing on younger players – with less experience but plenty of freshness and quality – allowed us to keep dreaming,” he said.

“But unfortunately the dream did not come true.”

Qatar 2022 delivers ‘benchmark for World Cup finals of the future’

Al Jazeera’s Rahul Pathak, reporting from outside Lusail Stadium, says people are “still in a state of shock” over the dramatic conclusion to Qatar 2022.

“We have seen a World Cup final that will be the benchmark for World Cup finals of the future. For Qatar to have hosted such an incredible tournament — there were some journalists who were deriding Gianni Infantino’s comments that this was the best World Cup ever, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any now, especially among those here,” Pathak said.

“This has not been a smooth run for Argentina; this has had a sense of jeopardy for every single game. But it delivered in spades, this World Cup final, and America, Canada and Mexico have really got something to live up to in four years’ time.”

Raucous celebrations outside Lusail Stadium

Messi joins Maradona in World Cup winners club

Argentina’s victory sealed their third world title and the first since the late, great Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986.

Thirty-six years on, Messi has emulated his achievements and sealed his own legacy as one of the very greatest – if not the greatest – players to ever grace the field.

1986 🏆🇦🇷🏆 2022 pic.twitter.com/KQQpIJrb2d — Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) December 18, 2022

Timeline: How Argentina came to lift the World Cup

After one of the most thrilling finals ever seen, we have put together a timeline documenting Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.

Take a look here .

Argentina ‘suffered’ to secure win: Martinez

Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says his side “suffered” during their thrilling victory against France.

“There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this,” Martinez told reporters.

“It was a very complicated match, they came back to equalise in the game but it was our destiny to suffer,” the 30-year-old added.

“All that I have dreamed of has been achieved. I have no words for it. I was calm during the penalty shoot-out, and everything went as we wanted.”

‘They are gods’

Fans in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, are in raptures over their country’s World Cup triumph.

“I am very happy, I am crying. My heart is going 100 miles an hour,” Ignacio told Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo.

“For us, they are gods. They are the best players.”

This is how Argentina fans reacted as their team sealed their first World Cup win for 36 years, with a penalty shootout win over France 👇 🔗: https://t.co/QtvRT3Y6Yp pic.twitter.com/Ut5IIAtrct — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 18, 2022

Macron congratulates Argentina, lauds France’s ‘thrilling’ campaign

French President Emmanuel Macron has praised his country’s side despite their loss to Argentina and offered his congratulations to the new world champions.

“Congratulations to the French team for its journey and its combativeness in this World Cup. You have thrilled the nation and supporters around the world,” Macron, who attended the final at Lusail Stadium, tweeted.

“Congratulations to Argentina for their victory,” he added.

Bravo à l'équipe de France pour son parcours et sa combativité dans cette Coupe du Monde. Vous avez fait vibrer la Nation et les supporters du monde entier. Félicitations à l'Argentine pour sa victoire. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 18, 2022

Outside Lusail …

Fans are streaming out of Lusail Stadium, where Al Jazeera’s Rahul Pathak is gauging reaction to Qatar 2022’s dramatic finale.

“There are people coming out and shaking their heads, like ‘Did we really see what we just saw?'” Pathak said.

“Even one French fan was saying, ‘My team lost – Mbappe scored a hat trick and ended up on the losing side, but I got to see the best player in the world lift the World Cup, and in the future, I’ll remember that.'”

Meanwhile, in downtown Buenos Aires, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo was witness to scenes of joyous celebration as Argentinians celebrated a third World Cup triumph for their country in its bustling capital city.

Follow Al Jazeera’s live stream here .

Argentina cap turnaround 26 days after Saudi Arabia defeat

Argentina’s victory today came exactly 26 days after they were humbled 2-1 in a shock, opening-game defeat to Saudi Arabia.

The turnaround is complete.

26 days is a long time in football (in the same stadium, too). #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 | #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/kNlVtgogb4 — Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 18, 2022

Qatar World Cup breaks goal record

The tournament in Qatar became the highest-scoring World Cup in history after Argentina’s thrilling triumph over France.

Mbappe’s third goal, which made the score 3-3 and sent the final into a penalty shootout, was the 172nd of the 2022 tournament.

That ensured it surpassed the previous record of 171 goals, held jointly by the 1998 and 2014 editions in France and Brazil, respectively.

The final was also the first tournament showpiece to feature at least three goals from both teams.

Aguero lifts trophy with Argentina players

Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, who was forced to retire a year ago due to a heart problem, has joined his countrymen in celebrating their World Cup triumph.

Aguero, 34, is a close friend of many of the Argentina players and appeared jubilant as he held aloft the trophy alongside the squad.

You will smile. That's a promise. 🥹💙 @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/xIZbbMknRE — City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 18, 2022

Scaloni tells Argentinians to enjoy World Cup triumph

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was emotional as he spoke to reporters.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game,” he said. “Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything.”

“I am proud of the work they did. With the blows we received today, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy. It’s a historic moment for our country.”

Messi finally lifts the World Cup trophy

Argentina’s journey to the final

We look back at the eventful ride La Albiceleste took over the past four weeks from losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener to becoming the champions.

Messi named best player of World Cup, wins Golden Ball

⭐️ MESSI ⭐️ Our @adidas Golden Ball Award winner! #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

Mbappe wins Golden Boot

The @adidas Golden Boot Award goes to Kylian Mbappe! 👏 #Qatar2022 's top goalscorer 📊 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

Argentina’s Martinez wins best goalkeeper award

There when it matters most 🇦🇷 Emi Martinez takes the @adidas Golden Glove Award! 🧤 #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022

The word from the streets of Buenos Aires

Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo is in a park in Buenos Aires where people watched their country’s win on huge screens.

“It’s been an emotional roller-coaster with people laughing and crying and celebrating and hugging each other,” she says. “It’s been a very intense day for Argentinians.

“There’s lots of tears of joy, people staring up at the television and thousands are gathering in the centre of the city.”

Messi has been compared with Diego Maradona throughout his career.

“Maradona had a different personality,” Bo says. “He struggled with addiction, but on the field, he was a leader – and that is what the people here wanted to see on the field again. People in the country are in love with him [Messi] and are now waiting for him to come back here with the trophy.”

Scaloni dedicates title to parents

Argentina’s coach has dedicated the World Cup title to his parents.

“We always talk about our families,” Lionel Scaloni said. “[My parents] taught me to understand that I could never give up.”

“Any other coach, not only me, wants to do things well. I’m lucky to be here. This is an incredible moment,” Scaloni said.

Argentina vs France summary: trophy presentation, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022 final

Argentina vs France: as it happened

WORLD CUP 2022

Who is Antonia Farías, the woman who hugged Lionel Messi after he won the 2022 World Cup?

Meet Antonia Farías, the woman who effusively hugged the PSG star after Argentina’s triumph and who was mistaken for his mother.

World Cup 2030: Saudi Arabia’s massive bid with Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

So 2022 is over, and 2026 is in the US, Canada and Mexico... but where will we be heading in 2030? Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be backing a Saudi Arabia World Cup 2030 bid!

“Messi’s goal in extra time was illegal” - controversy in Argentina-France aftermath

The 2022 World Cup final was a classic, with Lionel Scaloni’s men prevailing after a dramatic penalty shootout, but a controversy has arisen in France.

Should Messi's extra-time goal have been disallowed?

Which World Cup has had the most goals scored?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar ended on Sunday adding six goals to the competition’s total, but how does that compare to other FIFA editions?

Ronaldo congratulates Lionel Messi for 2022 World Cup win

Ronaldo Nazario, two-time FIFA World Champion, was quick to send congratulations after Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.

How Scaloni won World Cup with Messi plea in 2016

The Argentina coach couldn’t control his emotions on Sunday as he and his team lifted the 2022 World Cup, but the success stems back to an earlier action.

Argentina: 2022 World Champions

Messi reveals plans to play on for Argentina

Lionel Messi could have retired from Argentina duty after getting his hands on the World Cup, but he revealed he intends to play on.

Argentina shirts sell out after World Cup triumph

Any fans looking to get their hands on an Argentina shirt as a memento of the World Cup triumph may be disappointed as many Adidas websites are totally sold out of both the home and away jerseys. Ongoing supply chain issues and massive demand have contributed to the situation where fans across the planet are having to go without their replica shirts.

Leo Messi wins 2022 World Cup Golden Ball award

Messi becomes the first player ever to win the Fifa World Cup Golden Ball award

Argentina: 2022 World Cup winners!

Neymar and Lebron hail Messi

Sporting greats have been quick to pay tribute to Argentina and Leo Messi in particular with Neymar congratulating his 'brother' and LeBron paying homage to the GOAT

Ok, signing off.

Thank you to everyone who has accompanied me and the rest of the team at AS USA for the coverage of the Qatar World Cup 2022 . It has been a pleasure to provide you with information - and hopefully entertainment - during the past 4 weeks. 

The football was fantastic, the final might be the best ever and what a way to finish: with Messi lifting the World Cup for Argentina .

Thank you again and make sure to head on over to en.as.com for all the latest news in sport and beyond!

Here's Joe's team of the tournament - do you agree?

ATT - Messi (     ​​​​​)

ATT - Mbappé (     )

ATT - Griezmann (     )

MID - ​​​ Amrabat (     )

MID - Modric (     )

MID - Enzo Fernández  (     )

MID - Bellingham (no flag)

DEF - Gvardiol (     )

DEF - Rodri (     )

DEF - Hakimi (     ​​​​​​)

GK- Martínez (     ​​​​​​​)

Kun Agüero was never going to miss this!

He's still a huge part of the team, clearly so loved by the players.

Another Messi photo...

I'm not going to stop any time soon!

Messi lifts the World Cup / KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Messi lifts the World Cup

Here's the trophy lift .  ​​​​​​​

What a moment in football history.

Barcelona recognise their greatest ever player

"For us you will always be the best"

Messi lifts the World Cup trophy / DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France

Here is the image that football has waited so, so long to see!

ARGENTINA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD TIME

LIONEL MESSI LIFTS THE WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA!!!!!!!

            ​​​​​​​

And now it is Lionel Messi's turn to receive his World Cup winners' medal

No waiting from Acuña, who is straight up after Di María, almost causing a logistical nightmare for the man in a suit and no socks. 

The players are up, one by one, to collect their medals. 

Now it's time for the World Cup winners...

Deschamps is stood there like an angry parent whose child has come home late. He's waiting on Mbappé, who is nearly held in a headlock by the President of France. 

Now it's time for the French players to receive their medals...

The Argentinians give them a guard of honour.

Les Bleus stop on the podium for a photo organised by a man in a suit with trainers and no socks, but they just want to get home. 

Messi kisses the World Cup trophy in a moment that will be carved into history.

The winner of the best player of the tournament.... LIONEL MESSI​​​​​​​

The golden boot award for the top scorer, with 8 goals ... KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

​​​​​​​He poses for the photo, looking like he wants to smash the camera, the trophy and the stadium to pieces.

Goalkeeper of the tournament goes to.... DIBU MARTÍNEZ

​​​​​​​ who also gets told off for standing in the wrong place.​​​​​

    ​​​​​​​

Young player of the tournament... ENZO FERNÁNDEZ

​​​​​​​He gets a bit lost on the stage, taking the wrong turn on the big 8. 

The stage is a massive 8 shape, the logo of the World Cup, but at this scale it looks like a Mario Kart racetrack. 

The referees are up first... a gold whistle* for each of them. For being the best referees. 

*it's a medal, really.

The medals are carried out on dinner trays, by people in airplane staff outfits. FIFA really going hard on the Qatar airways theme, I see.

Now Infantino is here along with his friend, the Emir of Qatar

Messi majestic as Montiel spot-kick wins the World Cup: Argentina player ratings...

While we wait for the presentation to begin, here's Paul's player ratings, that he definitely didn't have to change at the last minute. Twice.

As per in Qatar 2022, we have a light show first.

The trophy/medal presentation is about to begin...

Montiel scores the winning penalty in the World Cup final / CARL RECINE / REUTERS

The moment Argentina became World Champions

Lloris was sent the wrong way by Montiel, who scored the 4th penalty for Argentina, which was enough to see them win.

The stage is being prepared on the pitch for the trophy lift...

We've been working hard like this for four years. It's difficult to explain how I feel, I just think of my family. We are so proud. This feeling is never going to sink in. Leandro Paredes , Argentina

There's nothing more beautiful than this, with my family here. I will never forget it.  Enzo Fernández , Argentina

The South American players are jumping, dancing, singing with the fans, who are adoring every moment. 

Mbappé is being consoled by Dibu Martínez and Macron, the French President. He's ignoring both of them, staring into the distance. When France came alive, Mbappé was the star. He took on the pressure and brought his team into the game, forcing problems for Argentina until the very end. What a star. 

Despite everything, we arrived here today calm, you could see it. But if you don't suffer, it's not worth anything. The first half was very good, the second not so much, but we always came through it. This is for Argentina, for everyone who supports us. Nico Tagliafico , Argentina

Muchaaachooossss... sing it!

What an achievement for the whole team. 

Great scenes as Scaloni is in tears, hugged tightly by Di María.

It was a game we had controlled, two mistakes gave them a draw. We go 3-2 up, they get one back, then they almost get two more. Thank God for this, I have no words. I dedicate this to my family. Emi Martínez , Argentina Goalkeeper

The greatest of all time

There was never really a debate...

They have finally done it; Messi has finally done it. On penalties, after the maddest final in modern football, Argentina ended a wait they had kept up since 1986. They have overcome heartbreak from 1990 and 2014, putting to bed the ghosts that have haunted the country since the days of Diego Maradona. 

Messi waves to the fans, tears in his eyes, he will finally have his moment with the World Cup trophy. 

THE PLAYERS RUN OFF IN TEARS

ARGENTINA HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP IN THE CRAZIEST FINAL YOU WILL EVER SEE.

MESSI IS WORLD CHAMPION

ARGENTINA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!

ARGENTINA WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!

MONTIEL SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF MONTIEL SCORES, THEY WIN THE WORLD CUP

This has to go in... 

SCORES!!!!!!!!

Paredes now...

WIDE!!!! HE MISSES!

Dibu kicks the ball away

Tchouameni...

SAVED!!!!!!!

DIBU TO THE RESCUE

GOAL! ONLY JUST!

Messi next...

Mbappé is first.

And France will shoot first!

The kicks will be taken in front of the Argentina fans...

Team talks complete...

Here we go...

What a crazy, crazy game of football. I can't even begin to process it.

I want to drink water, but I'm shaking so much I know I will just spill it all over myself. 

PENALTIES WILL DECIDE THE WORLD CUP FINAL WINNER

Mbappé almost gets a chance!!! He slides past 3 players but gets tackled inside the box!!!!!

ARGENTINA ATTACK!!! 

DIBU WHAT A SAVE 

I cannot keep up. Kolo Muani smacks a shot low and hard but somehow Dibu Martinez grows into a green giant and saves!!!!

LAUTARO ONE ON ONE! 

Argentina win a throw near the France goal. They play the ball all the way to the defence. 

France press, smelling blood.

Disasi on for Koundé

Dybala on for Tagliafico

3 minutes added.

SO CLOSE!!! THAT WAS THE CHANCE TO WIN!! KOLO MUANI ALMOST MAKES THE HEADER!! ​​​​​​​MARTINEZ HAD NO CHANCE

France now launch a counter attack...

ARGENTINA COME SO CLOSE!

Acuña wins a corner... into the final minute

Argentina attack... cut out 

MBAPPE SENDS MARTINEZ THE WRONG WAY TO DRAW LEVEL

IT IS 3-3!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GAME

GOOOOOAAAAALALLLLLLL ESXRDCTFVGYHESXRDCFTGVHESRDCFTGVYHBJDRFCTGVHBJCFTGVHBJKEXSRDFCTGHBJESXRDCFTGVHBJK

Mbappé steps up...

YES! PENALTY FOR FRANCE!!!!!!!!

HANDBALL! IS IT A PENALTY for FRANCE???

Mac Allister off for Pezzella

Corner for France, good work by Konaté.

Cleared away... for now

Paredes is booked for the tackle.

Free kick for France near the halfway line.

Now there's a fight, after Camavinga is fouled by Paredes...

Argentina hold the ball in the corner, some great timewasting here. 

Konaté on, Varane off

Varane is on the floor, he can't continue. 

Now France go again on the offensive, like before. 

Ok, I'll explain. Lautaro was played through on the right channel and he hit a shot that Lloris saved. It looked initially offside but he was just OK, by inches.

Messi got on the end of the rebound and although the defender cleared off the line, the referee's goal-line technology gave the goal!

​​​​​​​MESSI MAY HAVE WON HIS TEAM THE WORLD CUP.

IT LOOKED LIKE IT DIDN'T GO OVER THE LINE... BUT THE REFEREE GIVES THE GOAL.

MESSI GOT ON THE END OF THE SAVE FROM LLORIS AFTER LAUTARO'S SHOT!

MESSI MESSI MESSI MESSI MESSI

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 

GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA

Save from Lloris!

​​​​​​​ Messi had a shot from distance but it was a comfortable stop from the goalkeeper.

Argentina attack down the left before switching play to the right.

The cross comes in from Montiel but it is high above the heads of everyone.

And we're back underway again, again, again! 

The final 15 minutes of the World Cup final.

Argentina 2-2 France

Half time of extra time!

​​​​​​​Argentina 2-2 France

Now for always exciting on-pitch team talks . An underrated part of football.

LAUTARO MISSES AGAIN!!!

​​​​​​​ONE ON ONE, HE SAYS IT DEFLECTED. SHOT PUT WIDE.

1 added minute. Corner cleared. 

DOUBLE CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!!!!

​​​​​​​LAUTARO MISSES FROM 12 YARDS OUT BEFORE VARANE HEADS OVER THE VOLLEY THAT CAME AFTER. CORNER!

Paredes has slot himself in between the two centre-backs in an attempt to help with build up and aid in keeping people back in case of Kylian Mbappé.

Acuña whacks a shot high and wide . Koundé kept with him to defend well. 

De Paul and Álvarez OFF

Lautaro and Paredes ON

Despite the result and the nerves and everything else, the Argentinian fans continue to sing like crazy. Fair play to them, it's been a great atmosphere.

Offside given after a few French crosses are hooked into the box. Argentina are given a breather...

Corner for France, Messi headed out of play.

Kolo Muani tries to be Mbappe but gets tackled on the edge of the box.

Mbappe takes the ball and does his best impression of, well, himself, jinxing past two challenges. 

Coman crosses, Romero heads away. Both teams finding space in the wide areas.

Chance for Argentina!

A cross from Acuña almost finds the heads of three players, before it gets cleared.

Mbappé called offside after finding space behind Romero, who looks to have fouled the striker in the build up.

Camavinga is a lovely player, he moves like he's gliding down a bowling alley. 

A couple of attempted attacks from each side that all break down instantly. Nerves everywhere.

Now it's Argentina who can't keep the ball. De Paul plays a nervous pass forward and Upamecano gets in the way to win back possession. 

Attack from Argentina...

Cut out by Camavinga, who tackles Messi on the edge of the box. 

Mac Allister hits a bouncing ball towards Lloris but it deflects wide after hitting his teammate. 

Argentina win another free kick, wide on the right, after Thuram clashes with Montiel.

Foul on De Paul by Rabiot. It's been a great mini battle between those two.

Well, here we go again, again!

Montiel is coming on for Argentina. Molina out.

I'm shaking. What a game of football. France have grown 600 sizes and look deadlier than ever , but Argentina are still finding spaces behind their defence. 

FULL TIME!!!

​​​​​​​Extra time coming up!

Attack for Argentina! I can't take this!

The ball bounces just too high for Messi, who fails to control it. 

France launch a counter attack but the referee blows it back for a foul by Acuña. What a favour the referee did there, Mbappé was waiting to be released...

Messi fired a bullet from the central space and Lloris got a strong hand to it. Corner

LLORIS SAVE FROM MESSI

WHAT A SAVE 

​​​​​​​WHAT A SAVE 

Now Argentina attack!! Cleared away by Rabiot.

Mbappe nearly gets away!! He gives the ball to Kolo Muani who is one on one but trips over the ball

MARTINEZ SAVES!!! ARGENTINA ARE ON THE ROPES. 

​​​​​​​Great from Coman to get down the left side. Martínez did well to save the cross from going anywhere dangerous.

CHANCE FOR MBAPPÉ. SHOOTS OVER. 

Camavinga and Thuram have given this team a new energy.

Corner for France...

The cross is cleared. 

Free kick for France, 35 yards out, after a foul on Thuram.

The Argentina fans continue to sing as their team launches an attack down the left, which rolls out of play.

8 added minutes.

Into the last minute.

France attacking again...

Mbappé has 7 goals in 7 games now. 

​​​​​​​Rabiot is down holding his neck.

France with another dangerous attack but it looks like the referee got the call right. It was Thuram booked, not Camavinga. 

PENALTY SHOUT FOR FRANCE!!!!!

Thuram booked instead.

Good bye match report! Goodbye player ratings! Nobody dares do anything!

France look like the most dangerous side the world has ever seen! 

I don't know what minute it is, nor where I am anymore... but I can't take my eyes off this game. 

France attack again...

KOLO MUANI ALMOST CONNECTS WITH A HEADER

The game is broken.

France attack, then Argentina, then France again.

Unbelievable. What a turnaround. 

Argentina haven't even collapsed, but FRANCE ARE JUST NOT ABLE TO BE KILLED.

MBAPPE PLAYS A ONE TWO WITH THURAM ON THE EDGE OF THE BOX AND HE SLAMS THE VOLLEY INTO THE FAR CORNER 

​​​​​​​I HAVE NO WORDS. 

2-2!!!!!!!!!!

MBAPPE SCORES

NO WAY 

MBAPPE HAS SCORED

Madre mía, that came from nothing...

Now France are on the attack!

​​​​​​​Mbappé sends the penalty low to the left and Martínez can't stop it despite diving the right way!

​​​​​​​GAME ON!

MBAPPE SCORES THE PENALTY

A clear foul from Otamendi, who scrambled back to chase Kolo Muani...

Mbappe to take

OTAMENDI FOULED KOLO MUANI 

YELLOW CARD

OH MY! PENALTY FOR FRANCE!!!!!!

It's Argentina who are now playing France at their own game , waiting like patient alligators before snapping forward in a counter attack.

France look lost . They are absolutely shocked to the bones in this game by Argentina's intensity and confidence. Nobody had been able to match them until today, but boy, how Messi and co. have battered them to a pulp.

Tchouaméni slams into Romero. Ouch.

Camavinga is at left-back.

SAVE FROM LLORIS!

Messi squirms as Messi does before laying off Enzo, whose shot from the edge of the box is saved.

​​​​​​​The confidence Argentina are showing is radiating from their shirts.

Theo and Griezmann OFF ​​​​​​​ Coman and Camavinga ON

Mbappé has a shot! 

He skips inside the box before launching a frustrated effort above the bar.

The fourth official holds up the subs board, expecting the changes to be allowed by the referee, who waves to play on.

The referee equivalent of going to shake someone's hand who gives you a fist bump.

France are preparing more changes...

A now-or-never dice roll from Deschamps.

Kolo Muani connects, making that France's first shot of the game.

A dodgy clearance from Otamendi spins high and over his goal. Corner for France.

France with some possession at the back, trying to work it through Argentina's wall.

How does Messi do it? And by 'it', I mean everything. 

​​​​​​​ He took the long way round the defender when playing a one-two with Mac Allister, but still managed to make it before his opponent.

Ángel Di María OFF

He might have just won his country a World Cup.

Marcos 'The Egg' Acuña ON

HUGE CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!!! SAVED!!

Wow! Messi slides a pass to Julián who lays off Mac Allister, bursting through the middle.  ​​​​​​​Hugo Lloris comes to the rescue, clattering the ball away.

9 shots for Argentina, 5 on target.

0 for France.

The stadium is one huge party, right now. They haven't stopped singing all game. 

CHANCE FOR MESSI. GREAT WORK BY DI MARÍA AGAIN.

Koundé is having a horror show against Di María. ​​​​​​​ The winger hit a cross from the left, Messi connected but his shot went wide.

Chance for Álvarez!

Messi slipped a pass through the French defence and boy wonder  Julián took a big touch to the left before firing a low shot that hit the side netting. 

A frustrated Mbappé fouls pantomime villain, De Paul. 

Kolo Muani with nice footwork on the right side. 

Tackled instantly after. 

De Paul, now back on his feet, is having a word with the offender, Rabiot. I bet he's not saying very nice things. 

Rabiot booked for a scissor challenge on De Paul . An orange card for me, that one.

De Paul is still on the ground. 

BIG MISTAKE FROM EMI MARTINEZ!

France almost have a chance to score from the halfway line after a bad clearance from Dibu, but since nothing is going well for France , they mess up the chance.

Messi takes his time before whipping a corner to the front post , again . I think I've found something he can't do!

That is a joke.

Corner for Argentina, won by De Paul.

Cleared. Argentina counter.

Theo accidentally lets the ball run out and it's a throw for la Albiceleste  ​​​​​​​near the corner flag.

A 'chance' (it wasn't really) for France, but it was the best they've had. Mbappé on the right side wins a corner, but it was excellently defended.

A quick break down the left gets switched to the other side:  De Paul leaps acrobatically, but his shot is saved.

CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!

DE PAUL VOLLEY - SAVED!

The Argentina press is shattering the game for France, they can't build up at all...

Dibu Martínez grabs onto the ball and holds onto it. I'm not sure he knows what it looks like, he's seen it so little since the game started.

Mac Allister goes close!!!

Lloris got out well to catch the ball that was chipped through a gap in the defence; the Brighton man was through on his own.

And Argentina attack immediately...

Here we go again! Messi kicks us off for the second half. 

Argentina      2-0     ​​​​​​​France

The players are back out on the pitch!

The last time a World Cup final was 2-0 at half time was France vs Brazil in 1998;  Les Bleus went on to win 3-0.

It is going to take a lot for France to get back into today's final, Argentina have them beat in every area of the pitch.

Iker Casillas is on the pitch, showing everyone the World Cup trophy. It's incredibly shiny.

Sofascore's HT ratings:

I'm going to furiously email and ask why Di María hasn't got an 11 out of 10 for that performance.

Need I say anything?

He had a fantastic half, and even got involved in the defending!

Argentina      2-0      ​​​​​​​ France

What a performance from Argentina!

That was brilliant from the South American side, and Di María in particular.  ​​​​​​​They absolutely bossed France, who haven't had a sniff at goal. Mbappé has been silenced, as has Griezmann and nothing says desperate from Deschamps like those two early substitutions to mix things up. 

Let's see how they get on in the second half, but if it is anything like the first, where Argentina have dominated in possession, territory and threat, then France could be in for an even worse evening.  

How do you say debacle in French?

Close! Nobody arrives but it looked like it was whipped in dangerously.

Free kick for Griezmann to cross in...

Enzo booked for being a pest.

Last minute of the half.

France try to break away with Kolo Muani, but he's fouled.

I haven't said much about the added time but it's because Argentina just keep kicking the ball out for throw ins. 

Deschamps has got a very angry face on right now. 

Thuram shows his teammates that if you run with the ball, it goes closer to goal. Some of his friends then try it, but they run into the defenders instead of around them.

France have not had a single chance all half.  Super impressive from Argentina in all areas.

Thuram, by virtue of being a busy body, manages to find some space down the left. His cross is blocked.

7 minutes added.

Messi absolutely fires himself back to defend as France get a few yards closer to goal, tackling Kolo Muani . Could be the biggest cheer of the night, that.

We're into the last minute of the half, and France have had their longest sequence of possession so far , about 90 seconds.

Di María, again with space on the righ t , works it well but Koundé sees it out for a goal kick. 

Wow, that is bold from Deschamps, who is obviously not happy. 

That's the most obvious thing I've ever said in my life.

SUBS FOR FRANCE!

Dembélé and Giroud OFF!

Kolo Muani and Thuram on. 

Koundé fouls Di María, who has been utterly superb all half. 

5 to go until half time. 

Argentina have bossed this game. They've seen France want to give them the initiative, well they've taken it and have shoved it down their throats!

France look shellshocked! This atmosphere is like the most daunting away game on the planet!

If the Lusail Stadium bounces any more, it will end up in the Gulf!

A PERFECT COUNTER ATTACK

Messi flicks to Julián, who plays it to Mac Allister. The Brighton midfielder burns down the right channel on his own before laying off a perfect pass to Ángel Di María who scores his first goal of the World Cup

 ÁNGEL DI MARÍAAAAAAAAAAAAA PUTS ARGENTINA 2-0 UP IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA 

5 shots for the South Americans so far, 2 on target. Nil poi for France.

France just haven't got going so far. Argentina seem to have them at arm's length. 

We know what that means.

Messi goes on that run inside from the right, scaring every soul in France except Upamecano, who challenges well.

Uff, lovely from De Paul , who looks as though he is about to give up possession but instead flicks it to Messi, completing a lovely one-two. Argentina turning on the style against France's press.

The ball is opened to Di María, but his cross is too high for Julián Álvarez, who is not 8 metres tall, and it flies out of play.

The Argentinian  muchachos song rings around the ground. Now that's a tune, never mind the official anthem.

He's back on and immediately forces a corner. Quite good, isn't he.

He's back on now. All good. 

Messi has come off as it was a head injury. 

Messi is holding his face after that . Seems to have taken a knock. For now, he looks OK. 

Cleared away. Messi fouled in the process and the referee has blown for a free kick to Argentina. Theo clashed with him as they challenged for the ball.

Free kick for France, 40 yards out. Griezmann to cross in from the right.

Di María , despite the doubts that surrounded his inclusion, has been the difference-maker so far. He wormed past his marker then like, well, Messi.

The stadium is rocking on all four sides. What a fantastic atmosphere.

Back underway.

Argentina 1-0 France 

Di María made a great run from the left side into the box and Dembélé tripped him from behind. The referee didn't hesitate to blow his whistle. 

Argentina have started the better side and now it's up to France to get themselves back into the game. 

HE SENDS LLORIS THE WRONG WAY, PUTTING THE BALL TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.

THE STADIUM HAS JUST ERUPTED

MESSI PUTS ARGENTINA AHEAD IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!!!!!!!

Penalty confirmed, Messi to take... 

DEMBELE FOULED DI MARIA

PENALTY TO ARGENTINA!!!!!

How does Messi take so many steps in such little time? It's like watching a millipede run.

GIROUD JUST OVER THE BAR!!!

​​​​​​​I swear these French players read this feed and decide to attack just as I say they're being quiet. 

There you go, again! Theo bursts down the left wing and De Paul brings him down in a dangerous area out wide. Free kick.

France, apart from that half-half-chance from Mbappé , which wasn't even that, have had pretty much nothing to show for so far. 

But we know what that means. Watch out for them.

​​​​​​​Messi finds De Paul down the right who puts the ball back across goal. Di María arrives inside the box but he hits it with his right foot and the ball flies over the bar.

Over 50% of possession for Argentina, who are passing it around the back, looking for gaps in the French block. 

Messi almost slips in Di María!

Ah, offside. Good work nevertheless from Koundé to spot the pass. 

There we go. France spring into action as Mbappé links up with Rabiot on the edge of the box. Argentina defended well.

So far,  Argentina have had the better possession , but those pesky French rattlesnakes know where to hide before they pounce. 

A lovely ball from Messi out wide to Di María causes some trouble for the France defence, but Tchouaméni covers well.

We're back underway. 

Lloris is sat on the pitch, taking a minute to get his breath back. Signals he's OK to continue. 

Lloris is down after being shoved by Romero in the corner mosh pit. 

The corner is poor from Messi . It falls to De Paul who whips a cross in, but the mess of bodies in the box causes the referee to blow his whistle. 

CHANCE FOR DE PAUL!! CORNER!

​​​​​​​He had the ball on the edge of the box and struck a shot that deflected wide.

Di María breaks away down the left but Dembélé tracks back well

France have had a few passes from the back intercepted by the Argentinian midfielders in the opening minutes . Scaloni's team are pressing well.

It's a nervous start from everyone, with lots of frantic pressing from both sides.

Messi penalised for a foul on Theo.

Mac Allister finds space on the edge of the box and hits a shot. Lloris saves easily.

Di María has started on the left and is up against Koundé. He looks very lively. 

Messi fouled by Upamecano after they both jumped for a header. 

FIRST CHANCE OF THE GAME FOR ARGENTINA!!

​​​​​​​De Paul chips over for Álvarez but he misses the ball. Offside.

Ooohh! Dibu Martínez takes a while to kick the ball away and Griezmann nearly caught him out!

First foul of thr game from De Paul on Rabiot.

France are pressing very high up the pitch in a 4-3-3 as Argentina play around at the back.

Tchouameni immediately fires a long ball towards the left corner and it's a throw for Argentina.

The World Cup final has begun!

Griezmann kicks us off from right to left.

Here are the lineups:

France XI: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T.Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; O.Dembélé, Mbappé, Giroud.

Argentina XI: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Di María, De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez.

We are ready to go!

Argentina in their home shirt, white shorts and white socks; France in dark blue from head to toe.

Here they come! The two squads are lined up, waiting for the national anthems.

Argentina first, and it is absolutely belted out by the majority of the stadium. And Messi, who screamed it.

Now for France, a very happy tune as well. Well sung by all, albeit a bit quieter than the 40,000 Argentina fans, as you might expect.

The players are in the tunnel. Serious faces all round.

The World Cup final is about to begin!

        ​​​​​​​

The pre-match light show is underway!

Yes, the huge World Cup is there, don't worry.

One for the France fans...

Here's a great stat to give you pre-match confidence ahead of the game!

French president Macron in the house

French president Emmanuel Macron ready for the final against Argentina , with his wife Brigette alongside him. 

Team warm ups are over!

Both sides have retreated to the dressing rooms and are now having their final team talks - we've only got 15 minutes to go!

Argentina vs France 2022 World Cup final odds and predictions: Who is the favourite?

I just got all nervous when I looked at the clock - there is less than half an hour to go! ​​​​​​​

So, who is the most likely team to win? Check out the odds. Oh, and an attempt at a prediction. 

Yes, I know I like to speak about Griezmann a lot

He has been the player of the tournament for some (me) and once you look at the range in those statistics, where he contributes so heavily both in attack and defence, you can see why!

Here's official confirmation of the Argentina lineup:

Just as the squad takes their first steps on the pitch... the noise in the Lusail Stadium just jumped up to crazy levels! 40,000 screams of joy!

France are out for the warmup!

Both squads have started to get ready for the game, but there are still plenty of seats to be filled. Apparently there are problems with the metro for fans arriving at the stadium. 

France were loudly booed as they came out of the tunnel - the majority of fans inside the stadium are Argentina shirt wearers.

Acuña is not in the starting XI for Argentina due to injury. 

I *think* it's finished. I can only hear the Argentina fans now, who seem to have enjoyed that greatly. 

I'm finding it quite hard to keep up with which pop singer is on now, but there's someone spinning round in circles wearing a huge body warmer, who I believe is Davido . 

During the chorus of the song, I've realised that it's what I've been humming away to all month without noticing. There you go.

The exercise balls actually have little drone arms on them, and the Argentina and France balls have now flown away . I'd like to see Messi try to score with one of those.

Here comes the 'Official World Cup song', with *checks notes* Davido, Aisha, Ozuna and Gims.

Now there are lots of people on the pitch with huge exercise balls of all the flags of the World Cup, forming a circle, spinning round. 

The closing ceremony is underway!

We've got a singer doing a nice version of What a Wonderful World. It sounds good, they should get her on the national anthems later.

Now there are some flying whales, seriously. 

world cup 2022

The reason why the final of the World Cup in Qatar 2022 is played on December 18

Today is a special day in Qatar for two reasons, one of them the World Cup final (of course), but do you know the other?

One hour to go!

The team news is in, both squads are in the stadium that is filling up as we speak (I'd say it's about halfway to being full)... the countdown is well and truly on!

Sofascore says...

They have Argentina down in a 4-4-2 shape , which would put Álvarez up with Messi and Di María further back. He will have a tough job on his hands today with Molina to keep Mbappé quiet!

Here is the official confirmation of the France XI:

Theo , Varane , Rabiot , Upamecano and Tchouaméni have all overcome their problems and have been deemed fit to play. 

France XI confirmed!

Koundé - Varane - Upamecano - Theo

Tchouaméni - Rabiot - Griezmann 

Dembélé - Mbappé - Giroud

The France squad have arrived at the stadium

Les Bleus may already be at the stadium, but the  Argentinian fans are the ones making all the noise!

The Argentina team is in!

Martínez

Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Tagliafico

Mac Allister - Enzo - De Paul

Di María - Messi - Álvarez

The last time they met...

Will we have another game like this one? 

France, with an incredibly young-looking Kylian Mbappé , came out on top of a crazy match in 2018. Both Messi and Kylian himself had a huge part to play in the goals. 

Of course, Argentina were eliminated here, and France went on to win the trophy with their star-studded squad. 

The French dressing room is ready...

The countdown is well and truly on! Just over 90 minutes to go!

Diego Maradona 1986 / CARLO FUMAGALLI / AP

Diego Maradona in Mexico...

Can Messi cement himself into history even further with an iconic photo like this one?

The 1986 World Cup final at the Estadio Azteca  was the culmination of one of the greatest individual sporting performances ever seen: Maradona in Mexico has gone down as one of the most important periods of football history. It was a time in which Diego carried the team to the final, putting in match-winning moments of genius time after time, dancing round defences and scoring impossible goals in games of extremely high pressure and an entire nation's dreams  riding along with him. Remind you of anyone?

Argentina possible starting lineup for the World Cup final vs France

Since we don't know yet, here's how Argentina could line up , given the injuries and suspensions within Scaloni's squad .

The manager has a choice to make on how he will start the game, as we have seen various versions of his team so far at the World Cup . Against the Netherlands     , Scaloni went with a back 5 to neutralise Dumfries, which worked well. Against Croatia      , he flooded the midfield and played Paredes in a 4-4-2. 

​​​​​​​What will we see today? How will he try to stop France's fantastic four?

We've got some early team news...

It looks as though the Camel Flu that has flown throughout the squad has, well, flapped its wings and gone off to the horizon. That's a pretty much full-strength XI for France , if L'Équipe  have got it right. 

Why do some teams have stars on their jerseys? What do they represent?

There is a lot of talk about the two teams having two stars on their shirt and that at the end of the day one of them will have three, but what do they mean and where do they come from? 

Just two hours to go!

OK, plus a couple of minutes. 

If you've just joined us, welcome to the AS live feed of the World Cup final between Argentina      and     ​​​​​​​France!

It's Joe here and I'll be providing all the details of the game!

Valdano: “We’re seeing a Messi with greater influence - not just in terms of football”

Jorge Valdano won the World Cup with Argentina - and Maradona - in 1986 , scoring the second goal in a crazy 3-2 win over West Germany.

He analysed Sunday’s final and the battle between Messi and Mbappé.

When it's all over, we're going to play a game

I'm not wishing away the game, far form it, I'm just giving you a warning!

My team of the tournament is coming up after the game's finished, with ​​​​one player from each nation  maximum - but I want to see yours! 

Get in touch @English_AS or @j4brennan on Twitter . 

We were always going to do it at some point, right?

Here are the two kings, the figureheads of each team, one the present, the other the future. 

Messi vs Mbappé in the World Cup final , both with the chance to make history in different ways is something you might try to achieve on a video game with heavy levels of in-game manipulation and control over both controllers. But it's real, it's genuinely happening today and when you stop to look at the numbers, it becomes incredibly obvious as to why it has occurred. 

Messi currently leads Mbappé in overall rating, and in terms of the eye test, the Argentinian looks in a hotter streak of form than his PSG teammate, coming into the final on the back of match-winning performances in multiple knockout rounds of the competition. 

Mbappé has somewhat stalled in the latter stages of the competition after a whirlwind start to his World Cup campaign. Yes, he set up Kolo Muani's tap in against Morocco for the majority of the game he was reasonably quiet and the same goes against England, where he was kept tame by Southgate's system. 

The biggest difference in the statistics shown in the graphic is key passes, with Messi averaging a mind-bogglingly high 3 per game; Kylian is just under 2. This owes to the Argentinian's importance in how he functions within the system: Scaloni's team plays to Messi and for Messi.  ​​​​​​​Specific players within the system (I'm looking at you, Rodrigo De Paul) change their role minute by minute to suit whatever it is Messi need s , whether it be to cover him, manipulate space, create doubt in the opposition player's mind by giving them another player to mark, or simply move away from Messi to give him a chance to play his own game , the chameleonic Argentinian system will warp around their star player to facilitate him.

JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS

Player to watch: Julián Álvarez

OK, so the answer is Messi , but let's take a look at Julián Álvarez for something different.

The Manchester City striker, were it not for Messi and his penalties, would be Argentina's top scorer. And he wasn't even supposed to start . Lautaro Martínez was Messi's partner in the first game of the tournament against Saudi Arabia, but is now out of favour in Scaloni's plans. 

Álvarez has stepped in wonderfully, getting on the end of assists and having the underrated quality of being in the right place at the right time. His goals against Croatia were the perfect examples of just what he does best : for the first one he did his best Messi impression, glueing the ball to his boot and running wildly down the pitch; the second one was a cool finish after finding enough space in the box for Messi to play the ball to him. 

Not a bad comparison!

Maybe a wake up call was the best thing that could have happened to Argentina, as nobody on the team would have wanted angry Messi to come out so early... they'd have wanted to save that guy for the final!

France's injury list: a blessing in disguise?

France      ​​​​​​​ came into the tournament with an injury list as daunting as an ancient scroll: 

Kanté

And then Benzema got injured on the eve of the tournament, just before  Lucas Hernández tore his knee ligament .

These absences forced Deschamps to change things up, putting in Giroud up top and switching out Lucas for his brother, Theo. The two 'substitutes' have arguably been, along with Mbappé and my boy Griezmann, France's best players during the competition.

Without these players missing, France would not have used Giroud and Griezmann in the way we have seen them and would perhaps not have performed to the same brilliant level. I know, in an imaginary world of impossible-to-prove alternate universes, they could have won every game 6-0 - but they haven't. Instead, they've been brilliant without shining , using an alternative plan, and they've made it all the way to the final. 

Hugo Lloris on the verge of making history

France's goalkeeper and captain H ugo Lloris could make history today were he to lift the World Cup at the end of the game. 

If so, he would become the first captain to win the World Cup trophy in two consecutive editions. 

Only two teams have won consecutive World Cups: Brazil ( 1958 & 1962) and Italy (1934 & 1938). However, on both occasions the winning captains were different, meaning that Lloris would become the first.

Added to that, he has already become the player with the most appearances ever for France, with 143 games.  He is also the goalkeeper with the most World Cup appearances (19) , along with Germany's     ​​​​​​​Manuel Neuer. He will break that record today (if he starts).

‘Papu’ Gómez MLS bound in 2023?

And while we're on the topic of MLS : might Papu Gómez be the next Argentinian to move stateside ?

Can Thiago Almada get on the field in the World Cup final?

And the answer is...

Thiago Almada of Atlanta United!

​​​​​​​Did you get it?

Pub quiz question #2!

Which current MLS player could get on the pitch at the World Cup final?

(hint: he plays for Argentina      ​​​​​​​)

Messi vs Maradona: the battle for the crown of best ever

Today is, for many people, rightly or wrongly , a chance for Messi to cement himself as the greatest player of all time . Some would say that he's already there, that team trophies - and especially national team ones - shouldn't be counted, as it does not entirely come down to the player but the squad and the moment in which they find themselves. 

But for others, to see Messi with the World Cup trophy in his hands , one that has evaded him in the cruellest way possible, one that looked impossible to achieve, would be the crowning moment for his status as the best ever. 

It would certainly put him on the same level as Diego Maradona , the player who a lot of people, and Argentinians in particular, saw holds the accolade. He certainly does in term of symbolism, with that famous 1986 win being the image that is plastered across bedroom walls, social media and, most importantly, in the minds of everyone who loves football. Today Messi could have his own. 

Here's a delightful graphic from Sofascore that I've pulled out of my bag of tricks which compares the two Argentinian geniuses. 

Didier Deschamps said "it helps" to play multiple finals. But which of his players was he talking about? 

Here are two pieces about the survivors of each team from their last time in a World Cup final. 

Which France players that played in the 2018 World Cup final will also be in the 2022 final?

How many players from Argentina’s current squad played in the 2014 World Cup final?

Didier Deschamps pre-match comments:

The context of a final is always special. There is an emotional side that can be different for every player.  When it's the first final for a player, there are less references and data. Playing in lots of finals helps. The emotional management is important.  In 2018 there were 7 players that are here today. It's not actually the same team as before. I'm not going to compare them, it makes no sense.  Argentina can do different things, but so can we.  Kylian needs calmness, serenity. He's in a great frame of mind.  Didier Deschamps , France manager

Lionel Scaloni pre-match comments:

I am proud and very motivated for the moment we are in. They're very beautiful times to enjoy.  The group is in their best moment yet, at the door of the final. I have the starting XI already decided. Our way of playing goes further than the system and the players that we choose will be the ones we think will do France the most damage.  France isn't just Mbappé. It's a team of players that make him better. The final is Argentina against France, it's more than Messi against Mbappé. There are other players who can decide the game, not just those two.  Lionel Scaloni , Argentina manager

5 goals - Lionel Messi 

5 goals - Kylian Mbappé

4 goals - Julián Álvarez

4 goals - Olivier Giroud

Did you get them all? Of course you did, well done. 

Who is the referee for Argentina vs France World Cup 2022 final?

Before I reveal the answer to the greatest pub quiz question of all time, here's everything you need to know about  Szymon Marciniak , today's referee.

Let's have a pub quiz...

I'll be quiz master. We will start off with an easy one:

Who are the current 4 top scorers of the World Cup?

(hint: they could all play today)

Did you know? A curious kit coincidence...

Argentina will be in their famous blue and white striped home shirt for the game today. The French will also be sporting their traditional colour of deep blue, which is nice for all of us who love football shirts and lovely colours. 

The last time Argentina wore their home shirt in a World Cup final was 1986, which they won . The other two times they reached the final, in 1990 and 2014, they wore their away shirt. They lost both of those games. 

Will this curious kit coincidence continue?

We need to talk about Grizi / PETER CZIBORRA / REUTERS

We need to talk about Grizi

​​​​​​​I'm going to spoil the fun now before I've even decided on the rest of my awards: Antoine Griezmann is my player of the tournament. 

​​​​​​​The Atlético Madrid [insert position here] has become the everything-man within Didier Deschamps' team, and  the tactical surprise of the World Cup was only put there to fill the tremendous gap left by the three million injuries that France suffered prior to the competition.

It's amazing, Grizi has contributed in both attack and defence like never before: he has the most assists and has the most chances created at Qatar 2022,  all while being the defensive scampering dog that helps out with ball recovery. 

Against Morocco, he performed 101 pressures (according to Opta) - the most by any French player during a World Cup 2022 game! 

Griezmann is key to unlocking defences for France, as he slips past players as they get all shaky about Mbappé and Theo Hernández down the left side. Keep an eye on the boy.

Isn't this lovely!

The cool people at Sofascore have prepared this very snazzy graphic so we can hold hands and walk down memory lane, remembering all the fun we had along the journey to the World Cup final.

You like it? There's more to come. Trust me. I've got loads. 

Didier Deschamps says Mbappé needs “calmness” before World Cup Final

Here is everything Didier Deschamps had to say in the build up to the game, including whether or not Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema is set to return to the squad for the final.

FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Team news: Argentina

Suspended pair Marcos Acuña (also known as 'the egg')  and Gonzalo Montiel served their suspensions in the Croatia victory and will be ready to return to the side, should Scaloni choose to do so.

Ángel Di María is as fit as he is can be and will most likely feature at some point, even if he doesn't start. My inkling is that Scaloni will choose a midfield four of Mac Allister, Enzo, De Paul and Paredes , but there could be some surprises.

Papu Gómez is a doubt for the game and may not be fit to play, but we're not sure. ​​​​​​​

Leo Messi seems to be fit , despite holding him hamstring and giving us all a fright against Croatia.

  ​​​​​​​     ​​​​​​​

Friedemann Vogel / EFE

Team news: France

" With regards to the virus from yesterday, the players are still sleeping so I can’t tell you ", said Deschamps in his pre-match press conference, when asked about the fitness of Coman, Upamecano, Varane and Konaté, who all appear to be suffering from the Camel Virus that has affected the French squad. Rabiot has also been affected by the virus and missed the Morocco game, but should be well enough to play.

As such, they are all doubts for the game. 

In terms of injuries, Theo Hernández and Aurelién Tchouaméni missed training in the week and were doubtful for the match, but they should be OK to play.

The newest and worrying-est news is that Olivier Giroud is a doubt for the final with a slight knee injury . Missing one of the fantastic four would be a huge blow for France and Mbappé in particular, who uses Giroud's amazing powers of attraction to his benefit, taking advantage of the space left behind.   ​​​​​​​

Argentina: the story so far

Do you remember that Saudi Arabia game? It feels so long ago but the feeling of my eyes dropping down and falling out of my mouth in shock is still there. 

After the game, Messi was asked for his thoughts:

"The truth? Dead. It’s a very hard blow because we did not expect to start in this way .’ We expected to get the three points that would have given us calmness. Things happen for a reason. We have to prepare for what is coming, we have to win, and it depends on us."

And when the boss speaks like that, you listen. Argentina went out and beat both Mexico and Poland 2-0 to top the group, with the Newells Old Boys graduate the start of the show. 

They put away Australia in slightly less convincing fashion than France had done before going all the way to penalties with the Netherlands : you remember that Wout Weghorst goal , right? 

Croatia came next, last time's runners-up, in a match that had all the makings of a tough affair for Scaloni's team . But they pierced through them with a bit of Messi sprinkled throughout, who rotated (defender of the tournament) Gvardiol's soul in his ribcage before laying the ball off to Julián Álvarez to make it 3-0.

France: the story so far

Les Bleus     ​​​​​​​, as mentioned, have made it this far by being brilliant in moments, like fireworks, if that's your thing. 

Their first result of the tournament, a 4-1 win over Australia, led us all to believe that they would be a fluid attacking unit that relentlessly went about like a giant dinosaur, scything teams to shreds . But no. They're something much scarier than that. 

Much scarier than a dinosaur? Yes. Against Denmark they slept under the water and waited for the dark horses to come and have a drink at the lake, getting too close before they jumped out and grabbed them, dragging them in. They beat the Danes 2-1 with a Kylian Mbappé double. With qualification already confirmed, they lost the final game 1-0 against Tunisia having fielded a heavily changed side.

A 3-1 win over the most lacklustre Poland side ever in the Round of 16 was a routine performance, before they squeezed past England using all of their best tricks, namely that attacking front 4. Griezmann teed up Giroud for a header late on but it was   a Harry Kane penalty that went into orbi t that meant Deschamps side carried on in the tournament. 

Then came the surprise of the tournament, Morocco , and we saw the real France. With an early goal in their pocket they sat back, allowing the Atlas Lions all the rule of the pitch, before a late Kolo Muani tap in crushed the dreams of everyone's new favourite country. 

And now they're here, in the final. Waiting to crush Argentinian dreams.

World Cup Final preview: ​​​​​​

This is, as you might expect, quite a tough one to call. France     ​​​​​​​ have worked their way through the World Cup being quite unspectacular in a very spectacular way . They don’t dominate the ball, using a Pep Guardiola style 2-3-5 to attack like interchanging butterflies twisting in formation. Instead, they wait. Like sleeping lions. 18 hours a day of rest, if needs be. They allow you to control the ball, mark your territory, maintain the tempo you want, how kind of them. Then they snap. 

And when that crazy front 4 get going, nobody has the antidote. Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé will tear you apart just as you get comfortable in your chair, and you can’t do anything about it. Against Morocco the story was just like that. The reigning champions sat back, relaxed, with a lovely cup of tea, and decided to strike when Mbappé hopped, skipped and squirmed through 15 defenders before his deflected shot was tapped in to make it 2-0. 

Against the French, you don’t get to choose how you play. It’s like building a house of cards with a petulant child, it doesn’t matter how long you spend lining them up, one on top of the other, if the kid wants to blow it down, they will.

Argentina     ​​​​​​, though, have a magic key. Like a fantasy film, they always use the get-out-of-jail superpower that just so happens to perfectly suit what they need to do. La Albiceleste have that in a player who is really good at football. It’s like they brought him on purpose. I don’t even need to name him.

Yes, Messi can decide the came in a moment of genius , which is what might well happen, and Scaloni will know that. But he will also be aware that France too love to do exactly the same thing with their PSG forward, so his team might reflect some feelings of precaution. It could probably come in the shape of a midfield 4, with Paredes dropping in instead of Ángel Di María, who will feature at some point, just maybe not from the start.

Here’s a couple of in-depth tactical breakdowns of the two teams:

Three possible Argentina lineups for World Cup final against France

France’s possible tactics for the final against Argentina

Today's coverage is going to be humungous . We'll have everything from stats to predictions to lovely pictures of footballers, and more.

Thanks again for joining and thank the clouds Morocco didn't make it because otherwise I'd be on the Bono pun train all day long. We'd (I'd) be digging around in B-sides and unpublished newsletters for anything, so at least we don't have that. 

My, oh my, welcome to the World Cup final coverage from AS . It’s Joe here today and I’ll be guiding you through all the laughter, tears and most importantly, the football, of the day. 

How do I say this in a non-screaming yet very loud and excited way?

It’s the World Cup final!

Yes, Argentina     vs     ​​​​​​​France  go up against each other for the third golden star, the golden trophy and lots of gold confetti in game 64 of 64 of this, the strangest tournament we’ve ever seen, Qatar 2022. But what a final we have.

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Argentina wins the 2022 World Cup

By Matt Meyer , Mike Hayes and Issy Ronald, CNN

Argentina leads 2-0 at the half

Argentina leads France 2-0 after the first 45 minutes of the World Cup 2022 final.

It was the South American side that looked the more lively from the first whistle. And about a quarter through this match, Argentina hit paydirt.

In the 21st minute, Ángel Di María was taken down in the box. The ref blew the whistle and pointed to the spot: penalty awarded to Argentina.

Who else but Lionel Messi stepped up and coolly deposited the ball past France goaltender Hugo Lloris to put his side up 1-0.

Late in the first half, things went from bad to worse for the defending champs.

In the 35th minute, Messi set the counterattack in motion. Alexis Mac Allister found a steaking Di María on the left side of the box, who beat Lloris to give Argentina a commanding 2-0 lead going into the break.

This strong start has the crowd in Lusail Stadium, dominated by those rooting on Messi's side in his final World Cup match , in euphoria.

Argentina 2-0 France

Messi made World Cup history with his first half goal

With his goal on a penalty kick in the first half, Lionel Messi became the first man in World Cup history to score in all five rounds at a single tournament:

GOAL! Di María makes it 2-0 for Argentina

It's a dream start to the World Cup final for Argentina!

A Lionel Messi-ignited counterattack ends with Ángel Di María putting the ball past France's Hugo Lloris to put Argentina up 2-0 late in the first half.

It all began with a beautiful touch from Messi in midfield that found Julián Álvarez in space on the wing. His long ball forward was latched on to by Mac Allister in behind France's defense. The midfielder's inch-perfect pass allowed Di María to chip the ball into the net.

Two goals ahead, La Albiceleste are very much in control of this game, with almost the entire stadium cheering them on .

Goal! Messi — who else? — opens the scoring on a penalty kick

In the 21st minute, Ángel Di María was taken down in the box and the ref pointed to the spot.

In his final World Cup match, with a roaring crowd behind him, Lionel Messi stepped up. He took two small steps, sent Hugo Lloris diving the wrong way and tickled the ball into the righthand corner of the net.

It put his side in command of this massive showdown in the 23rd minute.

With that goal, Messi also pulls ahead of Mbappé in the tournament's Golden Boot race for most goals scored. He has now scored six times in Qatar.

Argentina 1-0 France

Argentina starts brightly in final

Argentina has started brightly in this World Cup final, slicing through France's midfield with relative ease and creating several half-chances.

At times, Argentina has almost seemed too eager, with the flag going up multiple times for offside in the box.

France, by contrast, has seemed more nervy and has struggled to keep possession in these opening skirmishes.

Except for a magical touch from Mbappé and a free kick just outside the box, Les Bleus have largely been pinned in their own half when they have been on the ball.

The 2022 World Cup final is underway

France and Argentina have kicked off to decide who will lift the 2022 World Cup.

This final pits Argentina legend Lionel Messi — who is playing in his last World Cup match — against defending champion France and their 23-year-old superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Argentina 0-0 France

Here are the starting lineups for France vs Argentina

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

Defenders: Théo Hernandez, Jules Koundé, Raphaël Varane, Dayot Upamecano

Midfielders: Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni

Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez

Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Tagliafico

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Di María

Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi

The World Cup closing ceremony is underway at Lusail Stadium

From CNN's Wayne Sterling

The closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup has begun at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on Sunday.

The 15-minute ceremony dubbed, "A Night to Remember," will "reflect on the tournament through poetry and music,"  organizers said . Artists are performing live songs from the official soundtrack of the World Cup. 

Award-winning Nigerian musician Davido and Qatari star Aisha are singing "(Hayya Hayya) Better Together." Award-winning Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna and French-Congolese rapper Gims are presenting "Arhbo" and Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal are singing "Light the Sky."

The showdown between Argentina and defending champion France for soccer's highly coveted trophy follows the musical event.

Players to watch in the World Cup's final clash between France and Argentina

From CNN's Amy Woodyatt

After 62 matches over nearly a month, it's time for Qatar 2022’s showpiece final.

It's a mouthwatering showdown with plenty of plot lines heading into the match.

France is the first champion to reach the final in two decades, while Argentina is chasing a third title. According to FIFA’s most recent  rankings,   La Albiceleste is No. 3 while Les Bleus are No. 4.

Players to watch:

The match provides one last chance for the 35-year-old Lionel Messi to fulfill his lifelong dream of guiding Argentina to its third world title.

The magical Messi has cast his spell over opposition teams at Qatar 2022, including a sublime pass to set up his side's first goal against the Netherlands on Dec. 9, and then a penalty and an assist against Croatia in the semifinal on Dec. 13.

Along the way, Messi has been ably assisted by striker Julián Álvarez , who scored two of the three goals to overpower Croatia, and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister .

Goalkeeper Emi Martínez also further endeared himself to Argentine fans with two saves in the penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Standing in Messi’s way is his Paris Saint-Germain teammate  Kylian Mbappé , as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup trophies.

Mbappé is tied with Messi as this tournament’s top goalscorer and will be doing his very best to derail Argentina, as France looks to have the most complete team of the tournament.

Antoine Griezmann has provided much of France’s creative force, while also helping out defensively. The Atletico Madrid star was instrumental in France’s win against England, superbly crossing for Olivier Giroud to head home France’s winner in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory.

Like Griezmann, the 36-year-old Giroud has had a renaissance in this World Cup after failing to score a single goal in 2018.

But at Qatar 2022, the AC Milan forward has scored four goals at the World Cup – only one behind Mbappé – and has become France’s all-time record goalscorer.

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