In one of the most exciting World Cup finals in history, Argentina beat France 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout on Sunday Dec. 18 to win the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina was leading by 2-0 at half time, but France made an extraordinary comeback with about 10 minutes left.
With the teams tied 3-3 after extra time, Argentina ultimately won after France missed twice during penalties.
With the win, Lionel Messi finally achieved his lifelong dream of taking Argentina to World Cup glory.
This is the last World Cup for Messi, who scored twice in the final, as well as a successful penalty during the shootout.
The 35-year-old was also awarded the Golden Ball – the award for the tournament’s best player – becoming the only player in World Cup history to win it twice.
Although his team ended up on the losing side, France’s Kylian Mbappe led its spectacular comeback by scoring a hat-trick – three goals in one match – a feat that has not happened in a World Cup final since 1966.
He ended up beating Messi for the Golden Boot – the award for the player who scored the most goals in the tournament – at eight, over Messi’s seven.
