By Alex De Jongh
Argentina emerges victorious after a hard-fought match against Les Bleus. The French side held on to the last minute, forcing the game into extra time and then penalties. Captain fantastic Lionel Messi bravely led his country to the very end until they finally broke the deadlock.
This is Argentina’s third World Cup and first win since Maradona lifted the World Cup back in 1986. This time it was Messi’s turn to lift the ultimate trophy in world football. Leo Messi’s medal count ticks over 35 after winning the 2022 World Cup. This addition to his collection means that he has won almost every award there is to win in professional football.
Leo Messi lifting the world cup with Argentina. Photo by michael84.co.uk
Not satisfied with just winning the world cup, Messi then broke the record for the most-liked Instagram photo when he posted the above picture. Adding to this, 26 million viewers tuned into the final, and one can see the reach the beautiful game has.
This world cup will be known for its upsets and surprising results. The most surprising result of them all was when the Argentinian champions lost their first match to Qatar’s only neighbouring country, Saudi Arabia. Many counted the South Americans out after this, but they were soon proved wrong.
Few people would have bet on Morocco making it this far in the tournament, but they did. After finishing fourth overall, they became the first African team to make it that far in the World Cup.
Qatar signed a deal with Budweiser to be its sole beverage distributor. However, they were only allowed to sell non-alcoholic beer. Being a Muslim Majority country, Morocco must have been used to the ban on alcohol. For many other players and fans, this was a sobering experience. That also might explain why this became the first World Cup when no English fans were arrested.
All credit goes to France for their never say die attitude going into the final game. Many critics tipped France to win it. French fans were hoping for a repeat of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final in Russia, where a not-so-different French side defeated Croatia 4 goals to 2. Unfortunately for them, it was not meant to be.
Starting the game on the front foot, Argentina received an early penalty after a clumsy challenge on Angel Di Maria by Ousmane Dembele. Messi calmly gave Argentina the lead and the momentum needed to double their lead. The French team seemed down and out, going into half-time. They needed something special to get back into the game.
Up steps the Golden Boot winner, Kylian Mbappe.
The French were gifted a penalty late on in the game. A short discussion followed before Mbappe was given the penalty spot. The goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, chose the right but did not manage to stop the ball from rocketing into the net, and from that point, the momentum swung in the French’s favour.
Kylian Mbappe scored another stunner, meaning that after 90 minutes, the score was tied at two all, and the game had to go into extra time.
From left to right: Enzo Fernandez (Best Young Player), Leo Messi (Player of the Tournament), Emi Martinez (Golden Glove Winner), Kylian Mbappe (Golden Boot winner). Photo by amarujala.com
Extra time left us with no clear winner. Argentina recovered the lead after Messi forced the ball over the line after a save from the French goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. Mbappe would complete his hat-trick when he scored a late penalty, drawing the game again.
Heroics by Golden Glove Winning goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, meant that Argentina was crowned world cup champions. This was the end to the most exciting FIFA World Cup final in history, and we may never witness a more enthralling final than this.