DOHA: Argentina beats France in penalty shootout of FIFA World Cup 2022 final at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium to become winner. Final went to penalty shootout after it finished 3-3 in extra-time. Match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes but Lionel Messi poked in goal to put Argentina 3-2 ahead in 108th minute before Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick two minutes before end of extra-time.

Closing ceremony for World Cup was earlier celebrated ahead of final. Fans thronged stadium before match’s start. Messi is seeking to win honour that has so far eluded one of football’s greatest-ever players. In his way stands prolific Mbappe and France team aiming to win back-to-back World Cups for first time since Pele’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Messi (35) has collected seven Ballon d’Or awards for best player in world, but last time he reached World Cup final it ended in bitter disappointment of defeat to Germany in 2014. It is Messi’s quest that will focus world’s attention on 89,000-capacity Lusail Stadium in Doha, most spectacular of remarkable venues that desert state have erected to host tournament.  “I am well aware that Argentina will have lot of fans behind them,” France coach Didier Deschamps said on eve of game. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said, “People say favourites are France. But we have greatest player of all time.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 19 2022

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