Argentina lifted the FIFA World Cup 2022 after a thrilling win over France 4-2 on penalties after the scores were tied at 3-3 in 120 minutes of sublime football. A World Cup final that was the stuff of dreams had a fairy tale ending with Argentina’s messiah Lionel Messi once again shining on the biggest stage of all to fulfil his destiny of lifting the only trophy missing from his cabinet.
Social media had a meltdown with Messi lifting the World Cup for Argentina after 36 years and shining on the grandest stages of them all. Messi was lifted by his former teammate Sergio Aguero and given a lap of honour by his teammates after the match.
A video of Messi dancing with the World Cup trophy on a table inside the dressing room is also going viral. The video was shared by Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi. Another wholesome video shows Messi celebrating with his mother inside the stadium.
Messi, 35, opened the scoring through a penalty in the 23rd minute to give Argentina the lead and then Angel Di Maria finished a superb counter-attacking goal to make it 2-0 inside 36 minutes. France’s Kylian Mbappe then showed his world-class mettle to pull two goals back. First from the penalty spot in the 80th minute and then a brilliant volley in the 81st minute to make it level.
Argentina’s ever-dependable goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez once again rose to the occasion as he saved a crucial penalty. Argentina triumphed in the end to lift the coveted trophy, their third World Cup, and their first since 1986.