rajkotupdates.news Messi : Goes On To Win Third World Cup Title
Argentina won 3 World Cups: in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Argentina have also been runners-up 3 times: in 1930, 1990 and 2014.
In 18 World Cup tournaments, Argentina have won 47 of their 88 matches. The team has appeared in all but four World Cups, trailing only Brazil and Germany in the number of appearances.
An emotional Messi celebrated the moment with his family and teammates as he finally got his hands on the trophy he wanted so much. He broke and created several records en route to the title before being awarded the Golden Ball for being the player of the tournament.
It was a night like no other, at least in the recent history of the FIFA World Cup, as two of the game’s shining stars, at opposite ends of their respective careers, created magic on the football pitch to captivate millions of fans. In the end, the night belonged to the veteran Lionel Messi, some would rightly say, as he fulfilled a long-cherished personal dream and the dream of an entire nation, as Argentina beat France on penalties to win its third World Cup title 36 years after Diego. Maradona guided them to their second place in Mexico. Another talent on the pitch, the 23-year-old French racing car, Kylian Mbappe, gave the world another reminder of his immense talent as he became only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. . His efforts, however, did not help France become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the title.
The match started at a very high tempo as the French were rattled by the Argentines. France’s defenses were stretched after waves of Argentine attacks and there was only one-way traffic.
A clumsy tackle inside the box meant Lionel Messi had a chance to score from the spot and he did just that to give Albiceleste the lead in the 23rd minute. The goal failed to rouse the defending champions from their slumber as Argentina continued to press and in the 36th minute, a brilliant move by Lionel Messi released Alexis McAllister on the right and his measured pass into the French box found Angel Di Maria, who made it 2-0. Drilled in a close shot to do.
The second half was much tighter as the substitution of France coach Didier Deschamps ensured that the reigning champs were able to attack a bit more. France were awarded a penalty with just over 10 minutes remaining. Mbappe slotted home from the spot to make it 2-1. And just as everyone was recovering from that piece of action and getting ready for a thrilling final 10 minutes, a quick French counter-attack saw Mbappe score again with a superb volley from close range to tie the match.
It was almost like a replay of Argentina’s hard-fought quarter-final win over the Netherlands as the Dutch came back from two goals down.
The match went into extra time and it was Lionel Messi again, who finished off a quick move by tapping in from close range to give Argentina the lead in the 108th minute.
But France and Mbappe were not ready to throw in the towel just yet as the young star made it 3-3 from the penalty spot in the 118th minute.
But had it not been for the brilliance of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, the match would have ended in extra time. The veteran keeper stopped a certain shot goal by anchoring forward in a one-on-one situation with France forward Randall Kolo Muani, and his outstretched left leg ensured the ball did not go into the net as the match went into penalties.
Lionel Messi and Mbappe converted in the shootout but Kingsley Coman’s effort was saved by Martinez and Aurelien Choumeni fired his shot wide. Gonzalo Montil then calmly sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way on penalties to seal a 4-2 win in what was one of the best FIFA World Cup finals ever.
An emotional Lionel Messi celebrated the moment with his family and teammates as he finally got his hands on the trophy he so desperately wanted. He broke and created several records en route to the title, the only player to win it twice, before winning the Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe scored 8 goals to win the Golden Boot award, followed by Lionel Messi’s 7 goals.