Argentina win the 2022 World Cup final via shootout

Argentina win the 2022 World Cup final via shootout

Argentina were crowned the 2022 World Cup champions after an extraordinary final on Sunday. They beat France 4-2 on penalties after Lionel Messi scored twice and Kylian Mbappe scored a hattrick in a 3-3 draw after extra time.

It was a night of drama, high emotion and fluctuating fortunes, delivering one of the all-time great finals in the FIFA World Cup history.

Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi’s penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control. But Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and volleyed in an equaliser a minute later to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty. He became the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966.

That took the game to a shootout where Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s effort and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to give Gonzalo Montiel a chance to win it, which he gleefully took.

ARGENTINA TRIUMPH

Argentina have now won six of their seven World Cup shootouts, including the quarter-final against the Netherlands a week ago when they also blew a 2-0 lead, while France have lost three of five, but with two of those defeats coming in finals.

Lionel Messi fires Argentina to World Cup Final 

Lionel Messi fires Argentina to World Cup Final 

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are through to the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This follows a 3-0 win against Croatia at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday evening. 

Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina through a 34th minute penalty. Julián Álvarez doubled the scoring four minutes later. 

LIONEL MESSI SHINES FOR ARGENTINA 

A moment of magic again by Lionel Messi provided an assist for Alvarez to score his second and a third for the South American champions. 

Messi slipped in a quick pass and Alvarez slotted it past the keeper to put Argentina one step into the World Cup final.

The Argentines and Messi will now be desperate to win the World Cup and emulate legend, the late Diego Maradona and his generation.

Lionel Messi celebrate with Julian Alvarez
Lionel Messi celebrate with Julian Alvarez

They suffered defeat to Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil. 

This is also likely to be Messi’s (35) last World Cup. He will be 39 at the next FIFA World Cup in 2026. 

Argentina will face the winner between France and Morocco in the second semifinal taking place on Wednesday. 

LUCA MODRIC FINAL WORLD CUP? 

Meanwhile, this is Luca Modric’s final World Cup in the colours of Croatia. 

Modric has 160 after making his debut, ironically in a friendly against Argentina in March 2006. 

He has since become the best ever player in the history of Croatia. Modric won the FIFA player of the year in 2018. 

Modric said before arriving in Qatar that this World Cup would likely be his last major tournament.

“I’m aware that I’m of a certain age and that this is

my last competition in the Croatian national team,” he said before the tournament.

Argentina starting XI: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes (Lisandro Martinez, 62′), Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez.

Croatia starting XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (Orsic, 46′), Modric, Brozovic (Petkovic, 50′), Kovacic, Pasalic (Vlasic, 46′), Kramaric, Perisic.

Lionel Messi Argentina stunned by Saudi Arabia in World Cup match 

Lionel Messi Argentina stunned by Saudi Arabia in World Cup match 

Saudi Arabia registered one of the greatest FIFA World Cup upsets of all time following a shock 2-1 win against Lionel Messi Argentina on Tuesday. 

Argentina are one of the pre-tournaments favourites and were expected to cruise against the Asian nation. 

But it was not to be for the South American championship. Their 36-game unbeaten run also came to an end. 

ARGENTINA BEATED BY SAUDIS

Saudi Arabia who are ranked 51 in the World were trailing 1-0 to Lionel Messi’s 10th minute penalty.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi celebrate penalty
Argentina captain Lionel Messi celebrate penalty

LIONEL MESSI SETBACK

But Al-Shehri equalized in the 48th minute after punishing poor Argentine defending.

Five minutes later captain Al-Dawsari curled a stunning shot into the top corner from the edge of the area to seal the historic victory.

Argentina have also failed to match Italy’s record 37-match unbeaten run.

Lionel Messi tips three nations to win the 2022 World Cup

Lionel Messi tips three nations to win the 2022 World Cup

Argentina star player Lionel Messi has picked the national teams that he believes are favourites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Messi will again shoulder Argentina’s hopes in Qatar as they bid to deliver the South American country’s third world title. A first since 1986.

The 35-year-old has picked out Brazil, France and England as the biggest threats to Argentina’s chances of winning the trophy.

LIONEL MESSI PREDICTIONS

“Whenever we talk about candidates, we always talk about the same teams,” Messi told South American Federation Conmebol.

“If I have to put some above others I think Brazil, France and England are a little bit above the rest. But the World Cup is so difficult and so complicated that anything can happen.”

Lionel Messi celebrate
Lionel Messi celebrate

Messi reached the final with Argentina in 2014 but suffered an extra-time defeat by Germany.

Copa American champions Argentina are unbeaten in 35 games. If this is to be Messi’s final World Cup, they are in the form to deliver the title.

“We are very excited. We have a very nice group that is very eager. But we think about going little by little,” he said.

“We hope to start the World Cup in the best way to face everything that comes after. The more you play and the more time you spend on the pitch, the more you get to know each other.”

TIGHT GROUP FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina’s opening Group C match is against Saudi Arabia before they face Mexico and Poland.

Meanwhile, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has tipped Messi to have a great World Cup.

“I see him as always… eager to enjoy the World Cup,” Scaloni told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game.

“He knows how to play wearing this jersey. He’s enjoying his team mates, training sessions, the stay and the whole process.”

adidas icons come together in a one-of-a-kind ‘Family Reunion’

adidas icons come together in a one-of-a-kind ‘Family Reunion’

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, adidas unveils the next chapter of its Impossible is Nothing story with its global football family. The brand kicks off a month-long campaign with a Family Reunion like no other. It features Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Achraf Hakimi, Son Heung-Min, Jude Bellingham, Pedro ‘Pedri’ González López, Serge Gnabry and Stormzy.

Channelling the special essence of the tournament, the playful spot celebrates the unified joy of football which brings together players and fans from all over the world. With a selection of the world’s greatest football stars unexpectedly reuniting and displaying their excitement and unique pre-tournament preparations, the film is inspired by the attitude that when football is everything, Impossible is Nothing.

FAMILY REUNION

Also featuring and narrated by football superfan Stormzy, the film combines football culture, world cup nostalgia and unique player personalities – all with a shared love for the game. Designed to be watched again and again, each scene features subtle nods to memorable moments, players and places to help build anticipation for the endless possibilities of the month ahead.

adidas-wc-1-min-1
adidas ambassadors

These include framed family photos, fridge magnets, post cards, cross stitch hangings plus so much more. Florian Alt, VP Global Brand Comms at adidas, speaks on The Family Reunion: “There is a rare moment, once every couple of years, at the beginning of the World Cup when it truly feels like impossible is nothing. A time when players and fans come together united by the belief that they will bring the trophy home.” “During the next month we’ll see new players break on to the scene, an underdog beat the odds, unbelievable goals and widespread celebrations taking place across the globe. It’s precisely that spirit that our campaign hopes to inspire in fans around the world.”

The Family Reunion film for the first time ever brings together Morocco right back Achraf Hakimi, Argentina forward Lionel Messi, France striker Karim Benzema, Spain midfielder Pedro ‘Pedri’ González López, South Korea left winger Son Heung-min, England midfielder Jude Bellingham, German winger Serge Gnabry and British musician Stormzy, as well as faces from adidas’ wider footballing family. Further to this, with a full month of unmissable moments undoubtedly ahead.

ADIDAS CELEBRATE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT

adidas will continue to celebrate its global football family throughout the tournament with iconic player moments, global social media activations and the creation of the ‘Al Rihla Arena’ – an official adidas fan zone on-the-ground in Qatar. The immersive experience will give fans the opportunity to watch every game live, test their skills on the specially designed pitch, be in with a chance of meeting their favorite football legends and capture a range of content through augmented reality.

Follow all updates across the next month at @adidas on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. You can also adidas.com/football or follow @adidasza @adidasfootball on Instagram or twitter to join the conversation on social media, with hashtags #adidasFooball