Lionel Messi’s wait for FIFA World Cup title ends as Argentina secure dramatic penalty shootout win over France in final

Lionel Messi ended a long wait for a FIFA World Cup title as his Argentina side defeated France 4-2 (3-3) in the titular clash on Sunday. The Argentina captain was colossal to Argentina’s victory in the final, as he scored two goals and coolly slotted the penalty behind the nets in the shootout to steer the nation to a third FIFA World Cup title in Qatar. The Argentina captain had opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after calmly converting a penalty, while winger Angel Di Maria doubled the lead 13 minutes later.

As Argentina looked set to seal a third World Cup title, Kylian Mbappe wrecked havoc on the French defence with two goals within as many minutes (80′ and 81′) to draw the scoreline level. Mbappe had pulled one back for France with a penalty, and equalized a minute later to draw level.

The drama didn’t end at 90 minutes, however, as Messi – once again – gave Argentina the lead in the 108th minute before Mbappe converted the penalty right before the end of 120 minutes to take the scoreline 3-3.

In the penalty shootout, Argentina converted all four while France missed two as Argentina lifted the World Cup title in Qatar.

(More to follow…)