LIONEL MESSI fired Argentina into the lead in extra time of the World Cup final… but only just.
The Albiceleste found themselves forced into a further 30 minutes after being pegged back by two late Kylian Mbappe goals during a thrilling final.
They dusted themselves down to regain their lead on 108 minutes, and fittingly it was their talisman Messi.
The 35-year-old had already sent millions of fans around the world into raptures by netting a penalty in the first half.
They included his wife Antonela, who was pictured going wild after his first goal.
Messi repeated the trick in extra time, despite nearly being denied by Dayot Upamecano.
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Lautaro Martinez was played through, but saw his shot pawed away by Hugo Lloris.
The rebound fell perfectly to Messi, however, who untidily hacked the ball towards goal.
It just about crossed the line before being hoofed away by the desperate Upamecano.
The linesman initially raised his flag only to swiftly lower it as replays showed Martinez had in fact been onside in the build-up.
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Argentina stars and fans alike were sent into dreamland by the goal… but there was to be another twist in the tale…
With just a few minutes left on the clock a shot by Mbappe struck his former PSG team-mate Leandro Paredes’ arm – with the referee instantly pointing to the spot.
The 23-year-old made no mistake from 12 yards – levelling at 3-3 to send the rollercoaster of a match to a penalty shoot-out.
But Argentina would eventually prevail – with Emi Martinez’s shoot-out antics helping them to a 4-2 win on penalties.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
