Lionel Messi was voted the best footballer of the World Cup on Sunday after leading Argentina to the title in a 4-2 win over France on penalties in the final.
Argentina, who won their third world title, swept the awards, as Emiliano Martínez was chosen as the best goalkeeper of the tournament and Enzo Fernández as the best young player.
Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who scored all three of his team’s goals in the 120-minute draw against Argentina, won the Golden Boot.
Here are the prizes:
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Young Player of the World Cup: Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
World Cup Best Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
Mbappé becomes the second player to score a treble in the World Cup final, wins the Golden Boot
France striker Kylian Mbappé became the second footballer to score a hat trick in a World Cup final in his team’s loss to Argentina on Sunday, when he also won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
France fell 4-2 on penalties after drawing 3-3 after 120 minutes. Mbappé scored a double in regulation time and tied the game again with a third goal in extra time.
The forward thus added eight annotations in the tournament compared to the seven of Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or.
England’s Geoff Hurst was the first player to score three goals in a final, when he beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time in 1966.
Mbappé was recognized as the scorer of the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé could not repeat the title in the World Cup, since France lost the final of Qatar 2022 on penalties against Argentina and after 120 minutes for the heart attack that ended with the score 3-3.
The young forward who plays for PSG had his consolation prize by taking the Golden Boot of the tournament in the Middle East. It is that he finished with 8 goals, one above Lionel Messi, his immediate pursuer.
Even the 23-year-old footballer has 12 in total, spread over two appearances, and looks favorably on reaching and even surpassing the all-time gunner, the German Miroslav Klose.
The France striker scored once in the win over Australia on Les Bleus’ debut and then netted a brace on the second round of the group stage in a 2-1 win over Denmark.
Later, the PSG attacker once again proved his worth both in the game and in the result, scoring a double: in the first, he received a ball on the left, entering the area he settled, aimed and fired a giant missile that stuck in Szczesny’s right corner to stamp the 2-0 against Poland for the round of 16.
At the end of the game, the French number 10 received from the left inside the area, hooked to the middle and gave it forcefully but quality to put it back into the angle, this time from the other side.
While in the final against Argentina, Kyky converted three times to take the score from 0-2 to 2-2 and, in extra time, from 2-3 to 3-3 through a penalty.
Messi looked for his family after the last penalty and said a sentence that will go down in history
Argentina lifted the World Cup after beating France from penalties. In a vibrant match, not suitable for the faint of heart, the team led by Lionel Scaloni began by winning 2-0 in the first half and in an inattention, in the second half, they suffered their opponent’s equalizer that took the game to extra time.
In the extra time, both teams scored a goal and took the definition to twelve steps. With Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez as the exclusive figure, the albiceleste prevailed 4-2. Once the series was over, Lionel Messi, author of the first goal, joined the celebration with his teammates and quickly went to the box where his relatives were.
From the field of play, the man from Rosario spotted Antonela Roccuzzo, his partner, and her three children, to whom he dedicated a heartfelt celebration with the phrase: “he’s here.” Thus, he depicted the ordeal that he had to go through for years to be able to reach this instance of being able to be crowned world champion with his country.
With a smile from ear to ear, as a result of the duty fulfilled, Messi was intercepted by part of the coaching staff, who merged into an eternal embrace. Later, the striker Lautaro Martínez, also shared a brief moment with La Pulga, the architect of a conquest that had not taken place since 1986.
“We are fair winners”, assured Rodrigo De Paul after the title of Argentina
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul assured today that “we are fair winners” after Argentina’s 4-2 victory on penalties against France, which allowed the albiceleste team to win the World Cup title in Qatar for the third time in his story.
“We were born to suffer, we will always suffer, but it’s worth it. I don’t forget about this day anymore”, indicated De Paul, after the end of the game in which Argentina was crowned world champion.
The midfielder added that “you have to suffer to be able to enjoy, we are fair winners. To be a champion you have to beat the last champion and today we did it.” “I love all Argentines. We leave you at the top of the world. I hope the whole country is as happy as we are. I can’t believe it but we are fair champions”, completed De Paul.
The consecration of Lionel Messi as a legend!
Lionel Messi established himself as a living legend of world soccer, guiding the Argentine National Team to beat its French counterpart 4-2 on penalties, after an exciting 3-3 draw in regular and extra time, in the Grand Final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The match took place before more than 80,000 fans who gathered in the stands of the Iconic Stadium in Lusail, to witness how the Rosario native put his name in gold letters in the football history books.
Starting the game it was immediately seen how the Argentine team was more aggressive than the Europeans in attack. The pressure was so great that at minute 21, Julian Álvarez would give the ball to Ángel Dí María on the left flank.
It would be Lionel Messi who would take the maximum penalty from eleven steps and with incredible calm, the number 10 of the Albiceleste sees how Hugo Lloris dives to the right, while his shot went to the left of the French goalkeeper.
A bucket of cold water had fallen on France and they could not recover, as was seen when at 36′ Dayot Upamecano lost the ball, which allowed an Argentine counterattack Messi gives an excellent pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who enters the big area but see how Ángel Dí María arrives from behind, changes the ball to the other side and "El Fideo" he simply shoots across for 2-0.
The game continued in complete control of Argentina, even when the second half began, it seemed that there was going to be no reaction from the French. The eleventh gala would revive thanks to a small South American gift: Randal Kolo Muani enters the big area at minute 79, Nicolás Otamendi fights with him and fouls him, for which the referee marks a penalty in favor of France.
Three minutes later, Kylian Mbappé would be in charge of taking the maximum penalty and he did it with such a powerful shot that hit the right post of Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, that the Argentine could not avoid the temporary 2-1.
And at 81′, Mbappé would dress like a hero, waking up the French National Team thanks to Kingsley Coman winning the ball in midfield, the counterattack came from the left flank, Marcus Thuram took the ball, saw Mbappé and took a cross that would be finished off by the French midfielder for 2-2.
The game had to go into extra time and in the first 15 minutes it seemed that Argentina was taking a “second wind” but despite a couple of arrivals it was not enough to change the score.
Already in the second half, it would be Messi who dressed as a hero this time. In a counterattack, France was in pieces in the defensive zone. Lautaro Martínez receives the ball inside the big area, takes a shot and Lloris covers it, Messi was just in the right place for the rebound and with his weaker leg, his right, gave his country a 3-2 lead.
The defender Gonzalo Montiel would become the villain of the movie, since he reached into the big area when Mbappé fired a shot, so that a penalty was scored at minute 116. Two minutes later Kylian would charge again in an excellent way, putting the things 3-3 and sending the game to the series of penalties.
Already in the definition from the eleven steps, Mbappé would score again and Messi would do the same. Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni would miss their shots; while Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes would manage to put the ball in the back of the networks.
And in the last two shots, with the French disadvantage, Kolo Mani would score but Gonzalo Montiel would give the Albiceleste the World Cup trophy after a 4-2 penalty shootout.
A brilliant Argentina is world champion again after almost four decades
Argentina put an end on Sunday to a streak without world titles that spanned almost four decades and once again achieved maximum glory, led by star Lionel Messi in his best version and with a team that made an entire country vibrate.
36 years after the last time they were champions, the Argentine national team broke the drought by winning their third World Cup 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw against France, the previous champion and indicated as the main candidate to return to keep the trophy.
On Sunday he had overwhelming moments against the defending champions, with a tactical scheme that threw his rival off balance and a solid offensive line with a remarkable performance by Ángel Di María, scorer of the second goal, which was added to great solidity in defense and the tireless display of their midfielders.
When no one expected it, France equalized near the end but Argentina once again showed all its repertoire and was left with the victory that brought it back to glory.
Argentina started the World Cup on the wrong foot, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their debut, leaving a pale image. But then they won five games and tied the rest, at times overwhelming their rivals and at others knowing how to suffer, although always showing great physical display, tactical intelligence, solid defense and great scoring power.
For Messi, who made his debut in the national team in 2005 and garnered an immense collection of titles with Barcelona, as well as Boots and Ballon d’Ors, it was the definitive consecration in his last World Cup and the achievement that was missing to catch up with the late Diego Maradona.
The captain shone on Sunday with his usual category and a double.
“Boys, now we are excited again / I want to win the third, I want to be world champion / And Diego, we can see him in heaven, with Don Diego and La Tota, encouraging Lionel”, sang most of the Argentines in the lousail stadium.
In the competition, the Albiceleste captain led his teammates with a commanding voice and genius, while breaking several historical records by becoming the Argentine soccer player with the most appearances and goals in World Cups.
Messi was accompanied by the experienced Nicolás Otamendi and Di María.
After the defeat in the debut, the coach Lionel Scaloni surprised the world of football with his different tactics and strategies for each game, with a renewed midfield with the young Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister as well as the goalscorer Julián Álvarez.
The formation of a renewed team, which changed almost all its members after the elimination against France in the round of 16 in Russia 2018 and won a Copa América again in 2021 after 28 years, generated unprecedented enthusiasm among Argentines.
The massive support was seen in the different stadiums of Qatar with a majority of Argentine fans and also in the streets of all corners of the South American country, behind the dream of having Messi lift the World Cup as Maradona did.
The title was added to those obtained at home in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986, with which the “Albiceleste” remained as the fourth team with the most conquests behind the five from Brazil and the four from Germany and Italy.
Argentina left behind the defeats in the finals of Italy 1990 and Brazil 2014, when the team lost in extra time in the final against Germany.
Fervor for three-time champion Argentina: in the street, a popular party dyes all corners of the country blue and white
Football glory is embraced with popular fervor. After a dramatic final against France, the team has just become World Cup champion and Argentina achieved the triple title after 36 years of waiting. The euphoria was not long in coming: thousands of people once again took to the streets and dyed all corners of the country blue and white.
With albiceleste flags, shirts and hats, in the midst of songs that celebrate the feat of the “Scaloneta”, people begin to congregate in the main corners of the Buenos Aires neighborhoods and in each city of the extensive national territory.
In the Capital, as in every previous triumph, caravans of cars march towards the Obelisk amid the sound of horns and vuvuzelas, while on board public transport there is also a party at the hands of Lionel Messi, “Dibu” Martínez and all the team.
At 3:30 p.m., the sun sets on Vicente López and there are people on every corner with T-shirts and Argentine flags. The procession from the Buenos Aires suburbs to the Obelisk barely takes its first steps, while the people – as if in a trance – process the agonizing victory of the Argentine soccer team. Each car that crosses another honks its horn, pedestrians respond by shouting, in unison: “Let’s go Argentina, damn it!”.
The collective festivities began immediately among the people who had been gathered since before 12 to watch the game on the four giant screens set up in the Rosedal, Plaza Seeber, Parque de la Ciudad and Parque Centenario.
Around 90,000 residents shared the final against France in Plaza Seeber and El Rosedal, in Palermo; Another 10,000 gathered in the Centennial Park and some 2,000 in the City Park, according to the Buenos Aires government.
In Mar del Plata, hundreds of families also enjoyed the meeting that culminated in the Argentine triumph on screens located on the beach, where the first scenes of popular passion broke out.
Avoiding incidents, looting and other excesses is the concern of the national and Buenos Aires authorities, who devised a special operation to control the crowd that will gather in the Plaza de la República. The deployment has police officers, traffic agents, urban guards, doctors and firefighters; there will be a fence in Diagonal Norte and Cerrito, on Corrientes and Carlos Pellegrini, and in Libertad and Corrientes, for the organization of the operational areas (security forces and emergency services). Those who wish may approach on foot through any of the streets that lead to 9 de Julio avenue.
From 2:00 p.m., there is a traffic cut in the perimeter comprised by Córdoba, Entre Ríos/Callao, San Juan and Leandro N. Alem/Paseo Colón avenues. The subway network works with a special scheme to discourage crowds in closed spaces and 41 bus lines have modified their routes and do not pass through the detailed perimeter.