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Argentina win 4-2 on penalties

World Cup final: Argentina beat France on penalties in dramatic Qatar showpiece

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Lusail Stadium, Doha

Last updated on .From the section World Cup comments 6752

Lionel Messi finally achieved his World Cup dream as Argentina won their third crown on penalties in one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history.

Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France opposite number Kylian Mbappe.

France's own superstar scored a hat-trick - the first in a Fifa World Cup final since 1966 - but still ended up on the losing side at Lusail Stadium.

Messi looked to be securing the one major honour missing from his glittering collection in comfort as Argentina cruised into a two-goal lead.

This all changed when an explosive intervention from Mbappe, who scored two goals inside two minutes late on, turned this frantic, magnificent match for the ages on its head.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute following Ousmane Dembele's foul on Angel di Maria. It made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament.

He then contributed a delicate touch within a magnificent counter-attack that ended with Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later.

Argentina were untroubled until the closing stages, only for Mbappe to give France a lifeline from the penalty spot with nine minutes left - then restore equality with a magnificent volley moments later.

Messi bundled Argentina back in front in extra time, but Mbappe completed his treble from the spot two minutes from the end of a frantic, chaotic added spell.

And so it went to penalties, with the two greats opening the scoring. But Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman, before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup.

Messi, a World Cup winner at last, collapsed to his knees in the centre circle and was engulfed by jubilant Argentina team-mates.

Tearful Messi reaches peak

Messi stood at the pinnacle of his career as Argentina closed out time in the World Cup final, only for great rival Mbappe to threaten to knock him off and leave him in despair.

Instead, this World Cup - which will now have Messi's name attached to it forever, along with a final that will rank alongside the greats - gave the iconic Argentine the conclusion he wanted.

Messi was imperious for 80 minutes in his final World Cup game as Argentina exerted complete control over a strangely laboured France, scoring his penalty with ease before contributing crucially to a second goal which was a team creation of beauty finished off by Di Maria.

And then came Mbappe. And then came France.

In an atmosphere of disbelief among the massed ranks of Argentina fans who were starting to celebrate victory, Lionel Scaloni's team had to lift themselves once more from the double blow inflicted by Mbappe.

Inevitably it was Messi who gave them hope again, showing he was happy to do the dirty work by turning home a scrambled finish in the box in the second period of extra time - only for Mbappe to answer again.

But Argentina prevailed on penalties and Messi was the centre of attention when Montiel sent the decisive penalty past France keeper Hugo Lloris.

Amid wild scenes of celebration, Messi fell to his knees in tears and raised his arms to the skies, before disappearing beneath a mountain of team-mates.

Messi then took to the microphone to address Argentina's jubilant fans, his Holy Grail reached, another piece of evidence assembled in the argument that would have many declare him the game's greatest player.

Mbappe the history-maker in defeat

Mbappe cemented his status as one of the game's modern greats with only the second hat-trick in a World Cup final, following Sir Geoff Hurst's when England beat West Germany in 1966. But the 23-year-old still suffered the pain of defeat.

Mbappe was as anonymous as most of his team for the first 80 minutes, ill-served amid an unfathomably poor France display - which they put in despite seeking to become the first side to retain the trophy since Brazil did so 60 years ago, and only the third ever after Italy won in 1934 and 1938.

Manager Didier Deschamps even made two substitutions before half-time, replacing Olivier Giroud and Dembele with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.

And yet it was Mbappe who revived France in those sensational seconds when they went from looking like timid losers to potential winners, then getting his third from the spot after Messi had put Argentina back in front.

In a stunning period of extra time during which both sides exchanged chances, France could have won but for a superb last-gasp save by Martinez with his outstretched boot from Muani.

Instead, Mbappe will find history no consolation as he was embraced by his team-mates and French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of this enthralling spectacle.

Player of the match

Mac AllisterAlexis Mac Allister

with an average of 8.01

Argentina

  1. Squad number20Player nameMac Allister
    Average rating

    8.01

  2. Squad number10Player nameMessi
    Average rating

    7.98

  3. Squad number11Player nameDi María
    Average rating

    7.85

  4. Squad number23Player nameE Martínez
    Average rating

    7.41

  5. Squad number9Player nameÁlvarez
    Average rating

    7.21

  6. Squad number7Player nameDe Paul
    Average rating

    6.84

  7. Squad number24Player nameFernández
    Average rating

    6.63

  8. Squad number13Player nameRomero
    Average rating

    6.58

  9. Squad number26Player nameMolina
    Average rating

    6.27

  10. Squad number3Player nameTagliafico
    Average rating

    6.22

  11. Squad number4Player nameMontiel
    Average rating

    6.21

  12. Squad number5Player nameParedes
    Average rating

    6.03

  13. Squad number21Player nameDybala
    Average rating

    6.00

  14. Squad number6Player namePezzella
    Average rating

    5.86

  15. Squad number19Player nameOtamendi
    Average rating

    5.82

  16. Squad number8Player nameAcuña
    Average rating

    5.74

  17. Squad number22Player nameLa Martínez
    Average rating

    5.71

France

  1. Squad number10Player nameMbappé
    Average rating

    8.00

  2. Squad number12Player nameKolo Muani
    Average rating

    6.58

  3. Squad number20Player nameComan
    Average rating

    6.54

  4. Squad number26Player nameThuram
    Average rating

    6.15

  5. Squad number25Player nameCamavinga
    Average rating

    5.94

  6. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    5.93

  7. Squad number24Player nameKonaté
    Average rating

    5.85

  8. Squad number18Player nameUpamecano
    Average rating

    5.83

  9. Squad number4Player nameVarane
    Average rating

    5.65

  10. Squad number13Player nameFofana
    Average rating

    5.51

  11. Squad number14Player nameRabiot
    Average rating

    5.50

  12. Squad number8Player nameTchouaméni
    Average rating

    5.45

  13. Squad number5Player nameKoundé
    Average rating

    5.30

  14. Squad number22Player nameHernández
    Average rating

    5.18

  15. Squad number7Player nameGriezmann
    Average rating

    4.94

  16. Squad number3Player nameDisasi
    Average rating

    4.87

  17. Squad number9Player nameGiroud
    Average rating

    4.71

  18. Squad number11Player nameDembélé
    Average rating

    3.89

Line-ups

Argentina

Formation 4-3-3

  • 23E MartínezBooked at 126mins
  • 26Molina Substituted forMontielat 90'minutesBooked at 116mins
  • 13Romero
  • 19Otamendi
  • 3Tagliafico Substituted forDybalaat 120+1'minutes
  • 7De Paul Substituted forParedesat 102'minutesBooked at 114mins
  • 24FernándezBooked at 45mins
  • 20Mac Allister Substituted forPezzellaat 116'minutes
  • 10Messi
  • 9Álvarez Substituted forLa Martínezat 103'minutes
  • 11Di María Substituted forAcuñaat 64'minutesBooked at 90mins

Substitutes

  • 1Armani
  • 2Foyth
  • 4Montiel
  • 5Paredes
  • 6Pezzella
  • 8Acuña
  • 12Rulli
  • 14Palacios
  • 15Correa
  • 16Almada
  • 17Gómez
  • 18Rodríguez
  • 21Dybala
  • 22La Martínez
  • 25Li Martínez

France

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 5Koundé Substituted forDisasiat 120+1'minutes
  • 4Varane Substituted forKonatéat 113'minutes
  • 18Upamecano
  • 22Hernández Substituted forCamavingaat 71'minutes
  • 8Tchouaméni
  • 14RabiotBooked at 55mins Substituted forFofanaat 96'minutes
  • 11Dembélé Substituted forKolo Muaniat 41'minutes
  • 7Griezmann Substituted forComanat 71'minutes
  • 10Mbappé
  • 9GiroudBooked at 90mins Substituted forThuramat 41'minutesBooked at 87mins

Substitutes

  • 2Pavard
  • 3Disasi
  • 6Guendouzi
  • 12Kolo Muani
  • 13Fofana
  • 15Veretout
  • 16Mandanda
  • 17Saliba
  • 20Coman
  • 23Aréola
  • 24Konaté
  • 25Camavinga
  • 26Thuram
Referee:
Szymon Marciniak
Attendance:
88,966

Match Stats

Home TeamArgentinaAway TeamFrance
Possession
Home54%
Away46%
Shots
Home20
Away10
Shots on Target
Home10
Away5
Corners
Home6
Away5
Fouls
Home26
Away19

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Argentina 3(4), France 3(2).

  2. Penalties over

    Penalty Shootout ends, Argentina 3(4), France 3(2).

  3. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3(4), France 3(2). Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

  4. Booking

    Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) is shown the yellow card.

  5. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3(3), France 3(2). Randal Kolo Muani (France) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

  6. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3(3), France 3(1). Leandro Paredes (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

  7. Post update

    Penalty missed! Bad penalty by Aurélien Tchouaméni (France) right footed shot is close, but misses to the left. Aurélien Tchouaméni should be disappointed.

  8. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3(2), France 3(1). Paulo Dybala (Argentina) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.

  9. Post update

    Penalty saved! Kingsley Coman (France) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.

  10. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3(1), France 3(1). Lionel Messi (Argentina) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.

  11. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3, France 3(1). Kylian Mbappé (France) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

  12. Penalties in progress

    Penalty Shootout begins Argentina 3, France 3.

  13. Post update

    Second Half Extra Time ends, Argentina 3, France 3.

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Gonzalo Montiel following a fast break.

  15. Post update

    Attempt saved. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ibrahima Konaté with a through ball.

  16. Post update

    Offside, Argentina. Lionel Messi tries a through ball, but Lautaro Martínez is caught offside.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Paulo Dybala replaces Nicolás Tagliafico.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, France. Axel Disasi replaces Jules Koundé.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Jules Koundé.

  20. Post update

    Goal! Argentina 3, France 3. Kylian Mbappé (France) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

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6752 comments

  • Comment posted by Stewart52, at 19:43 17 Dec 2022

    It's not Messi against Mbappe it's Argentina against France

    • Reply posted by Chris, at 19:58 17 Dec 2022

      Chris replied:
      The BBC don’t want to hear that.

  • Comment posted by George Williams, at 19:46 17 Dec 2022

    Infantino - "Today I feel Like a Millionaire!"

  • Comment posted by Scrawny, at 18:28 18 Dec 2022

    Sorry but unlike all the comments filling this board. I can't focus on the negative...This is the best final I've ever seen.

    • Reply posted by chelseakev, at 18:33 18 Dec 2022

      chelseakev replied:
      Watch Brazil 1970

  • Comment posted by SD, at 19:56 17 Dec 2022

    Seriously? Really??

    Yet another HYS on Messi?

    Are the BBC sports writers paid per Messi article or something?

    • Reply posted by Archie Pooch, at 20:37 17 Dec 2022

      Archie Pooch replied:
      Messi is the best. Hence the fuss. Come on Argentina!

  • Comment posted by George Williams, at 20:00 17 Dec 2022

    @the_BBC - Is there anyone else playing apart from Messi??

    • Reply posted by 2miners, at 20:02 17 Dec 2022

      2miners replied:
      MacAllister of Brighton fame 😂

  • Comment posted by Me again, at 18:15 18 Dec 2022

    I cant believe some of the childish comments on here after what was probably the best televised match ever. Well done to both teams.

    • Reply posted by Salford exile , at 18:18 18 Dec 2022

      Salford exile replied:
      You obviously don't watch a lot of football

  • Comment posted by SCJ, at 19:22 18 Dec 2022

    How good was the Polish referee ?

    • Reply posted by Uncle_Bill, at 19:23 18 Dec 2022

      Uncle_Bill replied:
      very good. so good in fact that he got a medal!

  • Comment posted by NeilB73, at 18:50 18 Dec 2022

    To put things simply, that was, without a doubt, the best World Cup Final I have watched on TV.

    • Reply posted by The Doc, at 18:56 18 Dec 2022

      The Doc replied:
      Not watched many then clearly .80 min was one way traffic .

  • Comment posted by LFCFAN_TX, at 20:06 17 Dec 2022

    I'm looking forward to it. As long as the commentators can keep the "Messi vs Mbappe" rhetoric to a minimum it should be enjoyable. Slightly disrespectful to relegate the other players involved to also-rans.

    • Reply posted by Johnathon Erskine Brown, at 20:12 17 Dec 2022

      Johnathon Erskine Brown replied:
      Agreed LFC, that has been nauseating throughout the tournament, and the reality is, Messi aside, the GOAT's have all been 'ghosts', its been the unsung players in the team that have made the difference. Football commentary more like WWE these days. Get Roy Keane on, and not some pitchside blonde like we get here in the USA.

  • Comment posted by Kingarth, at 18:18 18 Dec 2022

    No one near the level of Mbappe or Messi in a England shirt!!!

    • Reply posted by DavidM, at 18:22 18 Dec 2022

      DavidM replied:
      It's coming home!

  • Comment posted by Klopps Kop, at 19:43 18 Dec 2022

    Best world cup ever. All the people protesting need to look at two things. 1. Why were we all in Qatar? football! Which was brilliant and 2. Respect the culture and traditions of another nation. Just as we have our own traditions in Europe and North America the muslim world have their own in their countries. Either don't go there or learn to respect their cultures and traditions. Well done Qatar!!

    • Reply posted by fartman, at 19:45 18 Dec 2022

      fartman replied:
      You mean cultures and traditions like butchering gays and overworking slaves?

  • Comment posted by Egg sandwich, at 22:23 17 Dec 2022

    After reading some of the comments on here, I think that we should be acknowledging there are others players on the pitch. Antoine Griezmann, for one, has been solid as has been Hugo Lloris.

    • Reply posted by TerraHawk, at 23:33 17 Dec 2022

      TerraHawk replied:
      Sorry, it's the players around Griezman that do all the work and make it easy for him. He is average at best.

  • Comment posted by nessyboy, at 23:00 17 Dec 2022

    Linekar says Messi is the GOAT but admits he was too young to see Pele at his best so he once again trips himself up. I am old enough to have seen both these fabulous players but the greatest in my eyes was the incomparable PELE!

    • Reply posted by Mick, at 23:40 17 Dec 2022

      Mick replied:
      Messi wouldn’t have got in the 1970 Brazil team.

  • Comment posted by Otm Shank, at 18:12 18 Dec 2022

    That's the Messi v Ronaldo debate settled once and for all now.

    • Reply posted by El Matador, at 18:19 18 Dec 2022

      El Matador replied:
      Agreed. Ronaldo was brilliant in 98 and 02, but Messi over his career is the clear #1

  • Comment posted by ask1234, at 18:10 18 Dec 2022

    Feel bad for the French team, they played their hearts out. Seeing Macron at the game I
    It's strange how a nation like France who is so against immigration and multiculturalism, who treats its ethnic minorities as third-class citizens many living in ghettos, is quite happy to get behind a near all black football team if it means wining the World Cup.

    • Reply posted by kev b86, at 18:13 18 Dec 2022

      kev b86 replied:
      Like a lot of people, it’s when it suits them

  • Comment posted by roamblue, at 18:49 18 Dec 2022

    I don’t like the robe thing. The iconic photo is Messi lifting the cup in the Argentina shirt. Nothing else needed

    • Reply posted by Gareth Southgate, at 18:55 18 Dec 2022

      Gareth Southgate replied:
      Agreed, and also the way Infantino was the centre of it all I found a bit weird. At least the corrupt Blatter was happy taking a back seat and for the cameras to be somewhere else than him.

  • Comment posted by George Williams, at 19:18 18 Dec 2022

    Before the Tournament started - I had Argentina as Winners, but to be honest I was a bit worried after the Saudi Arabia game.

    But fair play they won and Messi will go down in history as one of the best players ever to lift a WC.

    • Reply posted by tommslaford, at 19:22 18 Dec 2022

      tommslaford replied:
      Great tournament. All the big teams were there.

  • Comment posted by OssieWaddledintoHoddlesVilla, at 20:48 17 Dec 2022

    For most, it's like being asked what's better, a smack in the mouth, or a kick in the knackers. Could do without both really. Can't bear to watch either of them celebrating tbh.

    • Reply posted by Lillywhite Elite Force, at 23:08 17 Dec 2022

      Lillywhite Elite Force replied:
      A kick in the knackers is obviously worse. If you need a demonstration...

  • Comment posted by Ecky Thump, at 21:00 17 Dec 2022

    More Messi nonsense!

    • Reply posted by Age of Unenlightenment, at 10:20 18 Dec 2022

      Age of Unenlightenment replied:
      Feels wrong but I'm going to be rooting for the Argies.
      And put to one side Sir Alf's 'animals' of '66, the Falklands War (btw BBC- Galtieri's mob is what a far right regime looks like), the Hand of God, the baiting of a callow Beckham & a tendency to combine skill with theatrical over-reaction and dirty tactics whenever necessary.
      Plus a French defeat will p*off Macron.
      C'mon Argentinaaaagh

  • Comment posted by Blackbird, at 19:21 18 Dec 2022

    MESSI !!! Argentina definitely deserved the win and nobody deserved to get his hands on the trophy more that Lionel Messi, he is by far, the very best footballer I have ever had the privilege to watch and I am absolutely delighted that he has crowned off such a stellar career with the greatest prize of all!

    • Reply posted by Jolly, at 19:24 18 Dec 2022

      Jolly replied:
      Nothing to add spot on

As It Stood

A

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Netherlands 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 7
2 Senegal 3 2 0 1 5 4 1 6
3 Ecuador 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4
4 Qatar 3 0 0 3 1 7 -6 0

B

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 England 3 2 1 0 9 2 7 7
2 USA 3 1 2 0 2 1 1 5
3 Iran 3 1 0 2 4 7 -3 3
4 Wales 3 0 1 2 1 6 -5 1

C

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Argentina 3 2 0 1 5 2 3 6
2 Poland 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
3 Mexico 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4
4 Saudi Arabia 3 1 0 2 3 5 -2 3

D

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 France 3 2 0 1 6 3 3 6
2 Australia 3 2 0 1 3 4 -1 6
3 Tunisia 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4
4 Denmark 3 0 1 2 1 3 -2 1

E

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Japan 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6
2 Spain 3 1 1 1 9 3 6 4
3 Germany 3 1 1 1 6 5 1 4
4 Costa Rica 3 1 0 2 3 11 -8 3

F

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Morocco 3 2 1 0 4 1 3 7
2 Croatia 3 1 2 0 4 1 3 5
3 Belgium 3 1 1 1 1 2 -1 4
4 Canada 3 0 0 3 2 7 -5 0

G

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Brazil 3 2 0 1 3 1 2 6
2 Switzerland 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6
3 Cameroon 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
4 Serbia 3 0 1 2 5 8 -3 1

H

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Portugal 3 2 0 1 6 4 2 6
2 South Korea 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
3 Uruguay 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
4 Ghana 3 1 0 2 5 7 -2 3
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