@Argentina
Lionel Messi fulfilled a lifelong dream when he lifted the coveted World Cup trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on Sunday.
Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in a pulsating final that saw the South Americans go into the halftime break with a two-goal cushion.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute before Angel di Maria got Argentina’s second in the 36th minute. The little maestro netted his second goal in extra time.
A hat-trick from Kylian Mbape, who won the Golden Boot award for his eight goals, brought France back into contention and forced the match into a penalty shoot-out.
Two missed penalties by France ensured Argentina’s third world cup title, after wins in 1978 and 1986.
Messi meanwhile won his second Golden Ball Award at the Qatar finals, following his first award in the 2014 loss to Germany in the final.
