Argentina has won its first World Cup since 1986 in one of the most dramatic, enthralling matches ever seen in the sport.
Argentina beat France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down after 80 minutes.
Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi’s penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control, but Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and volleyed in an equaliser a minute later to take the game to extra time.
Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty.
That took the game to a shoot-out where Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to give Gonzalo Montiel to chance to win it, which he took.
There were tears from both teams at full time — and Messi was also spotted looking overcome with emotion as he walked to one section of the stadium by himself to thank somebody in the crowd.
Messi was called up onto the stage moments later when he was awarded the golden ball as the player of the tournament. He is the only player to win the Golden Ball twice.
The win completes the 35-year-old’s glorious career and he joins Diego Maradona as a god-like figure in the South American country.
Source: ABC News.
