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Sport Football World Cup World Cup final 2022: The story of the game as Argentina beat France in classic Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup after an extraordinary final against France
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Lionel Messi raises the World Cup trophy into the air during Argentina’s celebrations (Getty)
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Your support makes all the difference. Close Read more Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after emerging victorious from a penalty shootout in a scarcely-believable final against France .
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the 2018 champions twice came from behind after Lionel Messi’s brace had twice put Argentina ahead.
But Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed from 12 yards before Gonzalo Montiel netted the decisive spot-kick to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Messi had opened the scoring in the first-half before Angel Di Maria added a second before Mbappe produced some magic of his own to drag his own side back in it.
His first came from the spot before volleying in a second less than two minutes later to send the game into extra-time.
Messi struck again from close range with what he thought was the winner before Mbappe completed his treble - again from 12 yards - to force a shootout.
Emiliano Martinez saved from Coman before Tchouameni screwed his effort wide leaving Montiel to win it with the fourth and final kick.
Here is the story of an extraordinary game:
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Cristian Romero, Emiliano Martinez and Lionel Messi sing the Argentine national anthem (Reuters) open image in gallery
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi go for the ball (AP) open image in gallery
Cristian Romero pushes into Hugo Lloris as he punches the ball away (Reuters) open image in gallery
Hugo Lloris receives medical attention (Reuters) open image in gallery
Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann fight for the ball with Messi (AFP/Getty) open image in gallery
Ousmane Dembele fouls Angel Di Maria in the box (Getty) open image in gallery
Gianni Infantino, Fifa president, and French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty) open image in gallery
Messi scores the first goal from the penalty spot (Reuters) open image in gallery
Players surround Messi after he scored (AP) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate their first goal (AFP/Getty) open image in gallery
France players stand dejected after conceding the opening goal of the game (PA) open image in gallery
All smiles after scoring (AP) open image in gallery
Argentina fans celebrate their opening goal (PA) open image in gallery
Adrien Rabiot reacts as referee Szymon Marciniak signals whilst Messi holds his head on the floor (Reuters) open image in gallery
Angel Di Maria scores Argentina's second goal (Getty) open image in gallery
Di Maria reels away in celebration (Getty) open image in gallery
Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi celebrate with Di Maria after he scored (Reuters) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate their second goal (Getty) open image in gallery
Alexis Mac Allister hugs Di Maria after he scored (AFP/Getty) open image in gallery
Olivier Giroud jumps over Angel Di Maria to head the ball (Reuters) open image in gallery
Giroud throwing a bottle after being substituted off (PA) open image in gallery
Alexis Mac Allister lands on the floor after Hugo Lloris makes a save against (Getty) open image in gallery
France’s Kingsley Coman has his shirt pulled up by two Argentina players (Reuters) open image in gallery
Nicolas Otamendi fouls Randal Kolo Muani and concedes a penalty (PA) open image in gallery
Mbappe scores France’s first goal from the penalty spot (Getty) open image in gallery
Argentina players look dejected as Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal (PA) open image in gallery
Mbappe scores his and France’s second goal (Getty) open image in gallery
Kylian Mbappe wheels away after equalising (Getty) open image in gallery
France players celebrate their second goal (Reuters) open image in gallery
Mbappe screams after scoring his second of the game (Reuters) open image in gallery
Lionel Messi reacts after Kylian Mbappe’s second goal (Getty) open image in gallery
Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina, speaks to players before extra time (Getty) open image in gallery
Kylian Mbappe receives medical attention before extra time (Reuters) open image in gallery
Hugo Lloris saves a Lionel Messi shot (Reuters) open image in gallery
Marcus Thuram reacts after being tackled by Cristian Romero (PA) open image in gallery
Fans display a flag reading ‘Free Palestine’ in the stands (Reuters) open image in gallery
Szymon Marciniak helps up Kylian Mbappe (Getty) open image in gallery
Lionel Messi scores Argentina’s third goal (Reuters) open image in gallery
Hugo Lloris looks on as Messi’s shot crosses the line (Getty) open image in gallery
Messi celebrates scoring (Reuters) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate their third (Getty) open image in gallery
Gonzalo Montiel’s handball results in a France penalty (Getty) open image in gallery
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his and France’s third goal (Getty) open image in gallery
France players celebrate with Mbappe after he scored their third goal (AP) open image in gallery
Emiliano Martinez saves Kingsley Coman’s penalty during the shootout (Reuters) open image in gallery
Martinez celebrates as Coman puts his hands on his head after having his penalty saved (Reuters) open image in gallery
Gonzalo Montiel celebrates after scoring Argentina’s fourth and winning penalty (Getty) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate becoming World Champions as France players stand dejected (AP) open image in gallery
Mbappe looks dejected after the match (Reuters) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate after Montiel’s penalty won them the World Cup (Getty) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate winning the match and World Cup (Getty) open image in gallery
Lionel Messi celebrates winning the World Cup (Reuters) open image in gallery
Sergio Agüero and Lionel Messi celebrate after the game (PA) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate (Getty) open image in gallery
Mbappe sits in the dugout (Reuters) open image in gallery
Messi kisses the World Cup trophy (Reuters) open image in gallery
A robe is put on Lionel Messi by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation (Reuters) open image in gallery
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Messi lifts the trophy (Reuters) open image in gallery
Lionel Messi celebrates with his family after winning the World Cup (AP) open image in gallery
Messi is lifted into shoulders to celebrate the win (Getty) open image in gallery
Argentina's players celebrate with supporters (AP) open image in gallery
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Lionel Messi holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates in the goal of the penalty shootout (AP) open image in gallery
Argentina players celebrate with the goal netting around (AP) open image in gallery
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Lionel Messi kisses the trophy (Reuters) open image in gallery
Messi and Angel Di Maria hold the trophy together (PA)
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