Argentina crowned World Cup champions after penalty-shootout glory against France

Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory, beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw over 120 minutes.

Argentina were comfortably the better side for 80 minutes and looked to be cruising to their first World Cup since 1986.

Lionel Messi opened proceedings, comfortably dispatching from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Ousmane Dembele tripped Angel Di Maria in the penalty area.

Photo by Fabrizio Velez

Juventus winger Angel Di Maria finished off a superb counter-attacking goal to double La Albiceleste's lead, after a fantastic pass across the face of goal from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister.

But, out of nowhere, Les Bleus remarkably got themselves back into the contest, when they were handed a penalty in the 79th minute as substitute Randal Kolo Muani was tripped by Nicolas Otamendi. Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot for his first of the evening, before adding a stunning volleyed second just 90 seconds later to take the game to extra-time.

In a frenetic extra 30 minutes, Lionel Messi thought he had won it for Lionel Scaloni's side when his rebounded effort from close range was awarded by goal-line technology in the 108th minute, but incredibly, France were awarded another penalty shortly after, as Gonzalo Montiel handled the ball inside the area.

The 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe stepped up once again and sent Emi Martinez the wrong way to become the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Sir Geoff Hurst for England in 1966.

Heading into penalties, Mbappe once again converted his spot-kick, before Messi levelled the scores up.

However, after some mind-games played by Argentina goalkeeper Martinez, French duo Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni both missed their efforts from 12 yards as Argentina scored each of their remaining three penalties, with Montiel firing home the winning kick to win the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said: "This squad, these players, play for their people. They play for the Argentina fans, that's what I have always seen. There are no rivalries, everyone pulls in the same direction.

"It is the greatest pride to play for your own country. The players broke their backs, have achieved this title because they understood what they had to do on the pitch. We are very

very happy and proud.

"Today we are World Cup champions. Although we went to a penalty shoot-out, we deserved the win because of our great performance. Only some moments they made trouble for us."