In a highly contested match, Argentina defeats France in penalties, 4-2.
Argentina started off strong with Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María creating a 2-0 lead against France during the first half. France managed to come back in the 80th minute where Kylian Mbappé equalised with 2 goals in rapid succession in the second half. Moving into extra time the Argentinians scored their third goal. Kylian Mbappé, the Player of this Match, equalised again. The victory was determined by a penalty shootout, with the Argentinians winning the tournament.
Lionel Messi’s dream has come true as the football star wanted to exit the tournament with a win. It is his first and last World Cup win. Messi, 35, has 12 goals and eight assists in World Cups, tying Pele’s record and was named Player of the Tournament.
Kylian Mbappé, 23, scored the first hat trick in 56 years and won the Golden Boot award.
The Next World Cup will be held in 2026 and hosted by three different north american nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Malini Yugendran is an Indian Newlink reporter based in Auckland.
