2022 World Cup Final vs France
A legendary duel between Messi and Mbappé that crowned Argentina's golden generation.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final was the resolution of a thirty-six-year national fever dream, pitting Argentina against France in Lusail under lights that felt brighter than any before. This wasn't merely sport; it was a collision of eras and destinies between Lionel Messi, seeking to complete football, and Kylian Mbappé, burning with the fury of youth. The match transcended the pitch, becoming a global event remembered for its violent swings of fortune—Argentina’s commanding 2–0 lead evaporating into a miraculous French comeback, only for destiny to demand extra time before settling the score on penalties.
- Date
- December 18, 2022
- Venue
- Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar
- Final Score (after penalties)
- 3–3 (Argentina won 4–2 on penalties)
- Key Figures
- Lionel Messi (ARG), Kylian Mbappé (FRA)
- Tournament Outcome
- Argentina Champions
- Notable Achievement
- Messi wins Golden Ball; Mbappé becomes first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since 1966
Lore & Background
For Argentina, this final carried the weight of history. The ghost of 1986 loomed large, while the heartbreak of 2014 still bled fresh; Messi was one last chance away from immortality, or another decade of 'what if.' France arrived as defending champions, a machine built on Mbappé's speed, but they underestimated the spiritual burden carried by La Albiceleste. The match defied logic: Argentina seized control early with goals from Messi and Ángel Di María, only for France to detonate in the second half. Mbappé scored twice in two minutes to level the score at 2–2, dragging the game into extra time where Messi restored hope before Mbappé completed a historic hat-trick on penalties to tie it at 3–3.
In Their Own Story
The stadium lights hummed over the green turf of Lusail, casting long shadows on exhausted faces. The air vibrated with eighty thousand voices until, in the quietest moment of extra time, Messi stood over the ball. His breath was visible in the cool night as he struck true, sending the French keeper wrong way. But the pendulum swung instantly; Mbappé stepped up, face a mask of cold determination, to send Martínez flying the other way. The chaos continued until penalties became an eternity. When Gonzalo Montiel finally converted the winning spot-kick, the silence shattered into pure eruption. Messi fell to his knees, arms outstretched toward the sky, as yellow and blue fireworks consumed the night—marking the end of a four-decade wait and securing Messi's status as the greatest of his generation.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was the culmination of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, featuring the host nation's rivals and the defending champions. Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, faced France, managed by Didier Deschamps. The match is remembered for its unprecedented narrative arc: a dominant first half by Argentina, followed by a frantic French comeback that forced extra time, and finally, a dramatic penalty shootout. Argentina started strong with Lionel Messi opening the scoring from a penalty in the 23rd minute, followed quickly by Ángel Di María's brilliant solo effort to make it 2–0. France refused to surrender; Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in the space of 81 seconds early in the second half to level the match at 2–2. The game entered extra time where Messi scored again with a chip, only for Mbappé to convert another penalty to complete his hat-trick and tie the score at 3–3. The shootout was tense but decisive. Emiliano Martínez made two vital saves against Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni, while Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty. This victory secured Argentina's third World Cup title, ending a 36-year drought and cementing Messi's legacy as the tournament's best player.
Did You Know?
- Kylian Mbappé became the first player since Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
- Lionel Messi won his second Golden Ball award, becoming the only player in history to win it twice (2014 and 2022).
- The match is widely considered by pundits and fans alike as one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played due to its drama and quality.
- Emiliano Martínez's performance in the shootout was crucial, making two saves that directly secured the title for Argentina.