LIONEL MESSI scored his first major final goal for Argentina to break yet more World Cup records.
The Argentina captain, 35, slotted away his 23rd-minute penalty at the Lusail Stadium.
He coolly stroked the ball into the back of the net after sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way following Ousmane Dembele’s pathetic attempt to stop Angel Di Maria.
Messi’s goal was his sixth of the tournament – placing him one clear of Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
It took his overall tally to 12, level with three-time winner and Brazil icon Pele.
And with eight assists, he now has 20 goal involvements – the most of any player in World Cup history since 1966.
Messi also became the first player to score in every round of a single World Cup tournament.
He found the net against Saudi Arabia and Mexico in the group stages then did the same to see off Australia in the last 16, Holland in the quarter-final and Croatia in the semis to reach the final before his final finish.
Messi played a part in Argentina’s second goal, too, with his gorgeous flick allowing Julian Alvarez to play Alexis Mac Allister in and set Di Maria up for 2-0.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
