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Lionel Messi (Image Source: Twitter)
On 18 December 2022, Argentina took on defending champions, France in the FIFA World Cup. It was the grand final of this tournament that took place in the Lusail Stadium. However, France defeated Morocco by 2-0 in their semi-final clash. On the other hand, Lionel Messi’s Argentina knocked out Croatia by 3-0 in their semi-final clash.
So, all eyes were on Messi as it was a great opportunity for him to win this title for his country. However, both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were tied with five goals before this clash. So, fans were also waiting eagerly to see who can come out as the golden boot winner of this tournament.
Lionel Messi wins the FIFA World Cup after a long gap of 36 years for Argentina
Speaking of the match, Argentina started the game with more intensity, and in the 17th minute, Angel Di Maria’s effort went over the bar. Then, the referee awarded a penalty to them after a clumsy challenge from Dembele on Di Maria. So, Messi did not do any mistakes as he converted that attempt into a goal in the 23rd minute. Then, in the 36th minute, Di Maria doubled the lead while Mac Allister assisted him. Thus, the first half ended 2-0. In the second half, France were looking to pull back a goal quickly. But, they were failing to penetrate the final third. Then, in the 80th minute, Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot and made it 2-1.
In the following minute only, it was a fantastic finish from Mbappe again as he made it 2-2. There was only a gap of 97 seconds between those goals. Thus, the match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes and the game went into extra time. Then, Messi scored again in the 108th minute. But, France got another penalty and Kylian Mbappe completed his hat trick in the World Cup final in the 118th minute. However, the game ended 3-3 after 120 minutes. Finally, in the penalty shootout, Argentina managed to defeat France by 4-2 and Lionel Messi brought the glory after a long gap of 36 years. Mbappe won the Golden Boot award for scoring eight goals, Messi won the Golden Ball award, Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove award, and Enzo Fernandez won the Young player of the tournament.
Here is how fans have reacted after Lionel Messi became the World Cup champion in Qatar:
Congrats to Argentina and to the GOAT, Lionel Messi, for an amazing World Cup victory. https://t.co/TkPRhReOV9
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 18, 2022
#Mbappe gave the goat a scare of his lifetime. Came from behind and almost single handedly took his team home. What a champ, this player will become bigger than #Messi for sure. #FIFAWorldCup
— Dhruv Ranjan (@Dhruv_ranjan_) December 19, 2022
GOAT is ever changing. Pelé, Ronaldo, but definitely it’s Messi now. His soccer resume will get him into heaven for sure. But who is the GOAT next? I think we saw him playing today (even though I wish he wasn’t an OM foil).
— Ryan (@EcstatikFanatik) December 19, 2022
Lionel Messi is theeeee GOAT🐐
— 👑JEON MARVELOUS 👑(FAN ACCOUNT) 🎊 DREAMERS🎊 (@ChdryDelhi) December 19, 2022
No debate nothing left he was, is and FOREVER will be thee Greatest of all time 🐐🔥🔥🔥
Congrats messi I really love you SOOOOOOOOO much ♥️♥️♥️♥️🎊🎊🎊🥳🥳🥳 https://t.co/QbOkfbthbW
Mpabbe is the best but Messi is the GOAT
— AJ GRIFFIN FAN CLUB (15-15) (@TwoNiickels) December 19, 2022
Game Over. The GOAT #Messi𓃵 #Argentina pic.twitter.com/0njrrxXla5
— Koushik Mondal (@itzbeingKoushik) December 19, 2022
GOAT MESSI https://t.co/btGaAvGnet
— Daniel Pedraza (@dustybeat) December 19, 2022
I will tell my kids how messi is the greatest footballer of all time and the goat 🐐
— Z ރ (@zaaahhhrraa) December 19, 2022