The football gods wouldn’t have it any other way: Lionel Messi is a World Cup champion in the twilight of his career. FIFAWorldCup 7NEWS
Messi scored two of Argentina’s three goals in regular time to resist the seemingly inexorable Kylian Mbappe and send the enthralling contest to penalties with scores locked at 3-3 after 120 minutes.Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free onGonzalo Montiel had the final kick of the tournament, depositing Argentina’s fourth shot of the penalty shootout into the back of the net to end one of the great spectacles the sport has ever seen.
Argentina looked to have the title in their keeping after suffocating the defending champions in a dominant opening half which saw the South Americans take a 2-0 lead into half time. With the lure of a hero’s shot at goal beckoning, Martinez had the stunning temperament and vision to cut a pass across the box like a surgeon to Di Maria, who had found space down the left side, and had just French goal keeper Hugo Lloris between him and the back of the net.Di Maria finished the perfectly orchestrated play to score Argentina’s second goal in the space of 13 minutes as suddenly, the defending champions had their backs against the wall.
France were awarded a penalty of their own when Nicolás Otamendi fouled a breaking Randal Kolo Muani, who otherwise might have had a shot at goal after bursting down the left side.Kylian Mbappe nearly single-handedly dragged his side over the line.Argentinian goal keeper Emiliano Martinez guessed correctly, but Mbappe’s strike was too strong to be stopped as France suddenly had life breathed back into their World Cup defence.
France then threatened to complete the most remarkable of comebacks before full time, but Argentina held on to send the World Cup final to extra time.
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