LIONEL MESSI and Argentina have WON an incredible World Cup final after a thrilling penalty shoot-out!And it all went down to pure shoot-out drama with both Kylian Mbappe and Messi scoring.
Kylian Mbappe had completed his hat-trick in extra-time to send a sensational final into penalties after Messi had put Argentina back in front.
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Monstrous performance
He wasn’t even stating games for his club three years ago.
Now he’s a Copa America and World Cup champion with Argentina.
Emi Martinez was outstanding in the final against France.
Credit: Getty
Permission to dance?
It’s been granted by Roy Keane!
He says Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni deserves to enjoy his moment.
“He’s got them over the line, he’s on the sidelines kicking every ball,” Keane said.
“That emotion that we talk about, it’s vital for this group of players and it got them over the line.
“What brilliant scenes. Dance all you want! They’ll be dancing at the hotel tonight. Dance for the next 10 years! That’s when you dance – when you win it.”
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Magic moment
Messi finally had his crowning moment as Argentina beat France on penalties in a thrilling game.
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Game for the ages
It was a World Cup final that won’t be forgotten for years to come.
The storyline before the game surrounded Messi’s battle with Mbappe, and both men duly delivered on the grandest stage of them all.
Messi scored a brace, but Mbappe snatched the Golden Boot away from his PSG team-mate with a hat-trick of his own.
But it was Messi’s night, just like it was Mbappe’s four-and-a-half years ago.
Credit: Getty
Emotional Messi
Lionel Messi celebrated his emotional World Cup win with his wife and their children on the Lusail Stadium pitch.
The Argentine captain scored twice and then converted his penalty in the shootout as he finally got his hands on the famous trophy.
But after collecting the Golden Ball for the best player at Qatar 2022 and then lifting the trophy with his team-mates, Messi took time to soak in the moment with his nearest and dearest.
Wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons Thiago, ten, Mateo, seven and Ciro, four, as well as his parents and extended family all joined him on the pitch – many of them wearing replica away shirts with his name on the back.
The lads took turns to hold the Golden Ball trophy and their dad’s World Cup winner’s medal.
And Antonela, who seemed to wipe away tears of joy, even got her hands on the main piece of silverware, giving it a kiss and raising it aloft – before the boys did the same.
Inside Argentina’s celebrations
Argentina wildly celebrated their World Cup victory in the dressing room after the match.
In footage recorded by Argentine legend Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Co could be seen getting the party started immediately after leaving the pitch.
Aguero, 34, was forced to retire with health issues last year – but was invited back into the Argentina camp this week and made to still feel part of the victory.
The former Manchester City star even donned a full kit to get into the spirit of things, and his Instagram Live footage documented Argentina’s brilliant celebrations.
His video began with a moment that will warm City fans’ hearts – as he chatted with current Etihad hero Julian Alvarez.
Aguero then started swigging from a bottle, as the squad danced and sang to Latin music.
After the ex-striker had a chat with Angel Di Maria, he then captured another star on camera sensationally somersaulting into a bin.
Much more singing and dancing was to follow, with tournament sponsors Budweiser leaving plenty of bottles of beer out for the squad.
Messi then sensationally returned to the dressing room clutching the World Cup itself, clambering up on to the table and jumping up and down on it.
Boss Lionel Scaloni then arrived donning a retro Argentina shirt, and was promptly drenched by his players.
Argentina’s sing-song continued as Aguero was gleefully dragged into a Conga.
A $10million dollar check was brought in by an official and held by Messi, who then danced with the huge prize.
Aguero then recorded Messi scrolling through his phone, without his old pal realising.
Stars also sang and danced as they went through the mixed zone after the match.
Messi replicates Maradona
Lionel Messi replicated Diego Maradona’s pose from 1986 as Argentina finally lifted the World Cup again after a 36-year wait.
Messi drove his country on throughout the tournament and was instrumental in the dramatic final win over France.
The victory sparked mass celebrations in which Messi was lifted above the rest of his team-mates while holding the trophy in the air.
Maradona, who was the star of the World Cup in Mexixo 36 years ago, also held the trophy aloft with the rest of the squad around him when he got his hands on the trophy.
Messi scored seven goals and assisted a further three on La Albiceleste’s way to glory in Qatar.
Maradona was just as influential during Mexico ’86, getting five goals and five assists.
Messi retirement u-turn
World Cup winner Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will not be retiring from international football.
There had been suggestions that the 35-year-old would retire from international football after the final, but he has shot those rumours down.
He told TyC Sports after the game: “I am not retiring from the Argentina national team.
“I want to continue playing as a champion”.
Dodgy goal
Lionel Messi’s second goal in the World Cup final should NOT have stood, eagle eyed fans claim.
The Argentine superstar bagged twice on the way to his side winning the trophy he coveted most in a thriller against France.
Messi, 35, put his side back in front in the 108th minute, however, netting the rebound after Hugo Lloris saved Lautaro Martinez’s shot.
It initially appeared that the effort might be ruled out for offside, when the linesman momentarily raised his flag.
But when TV pictures confirmed Martinez had in fact been onside in the build-up, the goal, which was nearly cleared off the line by defender Dayot Upamecano, was allowed to stand.
Watching a wide angle of the goal back, however, some fans believe that it should have been chalked off.
In a snap posted to Twitter, two Argentina substitutes could be seen on the pitch as Messi took the shot.
Their hasty celebrations meant that their side had 13 players on the field.
Ibrahimovic unimpressed
Fans all said the same thing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacted to Lionel Messi winning the World Cup.
The Swedish giant, 41, was in the stands of the Lusail Stadium as Argentina eventually beat France in a truly epic final.
Argentina led 2-0 and 3-2 before Messi at long last got his hands on the World Cup trophy after Gonzalo Montiel slotted the winning penalty into the back of the net.
But as Messi fell to his knees in joyful celebration, one man looked rather unimpressed.
Ibrahimovic remained stoney-faced with his wife Helena Seger.
That is despite his former team-mate finally getting his hands on the one trophy that eluded him.
Argie fans go wild
Jubilant Argentina fans went wild today as the country celebrated its first World Cup win for 36 years.
Thousands poured into the streets of Buenos Aires to watch Argentina take the trophy after a nerve-shredding final.
Joyous footage showed thousands of euphoric fans leaping into the air and waving flags as a penalty shoot-out saw Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel score the winner.
Fans were seen weeping with joy after Argentina beat France 4-2 in Qatar on penalties.
It’s the first World Cup win for Argentina in 36 years.
Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the match at the former home of the late football star Diego Maradona – and dived into the pool after the final whistle.
Martinez’s x-rated act
Emiliano Martinez has divided opinion with his X-rated celebration after winning the Golden Glove.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper put in an outstanding performance in the World Cup final as Argentina beat France 3-3 (4-2 on penalties).
He was awarded the individual accolade for being the best goalkeeper in the tournament and when he was handed the trophy, Martinez reacted in an unique way.
The 30-year-old shook hands with Fifa representatives, including Gianni Infantino, before holding the gold award in front of his private area while leaning back and pulling an odd face.
Martinez shocked fans worldwide, one Tweeted: “Never had Martinez using the Golden Glove trophy as a sex toy on my World Cup final bingo card.”
A second commented: “What on Earth was he thinking?”
Three stars
Argentina have revealed their new badge for the national football side after winning their third World Cup trophy.
The new badge includes a third star representing the triumph at the tournament in Qatar.
Argentina won the World Cup after a thrilling clash against France.
The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes and then in extra time both scored to take the game to penalties.
Argentina went perfect in the shootout with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the decisive penalty.
Every nation that has won a World Cup is able to put a star above its badge as a nod to the win.
Messi’s a traditionalist
Lionel Messi wore a traditional Arab robe as he lifted the World Cup trophy this evening.
The Argentine superstar finally got his hands on the cup he coveted most after a thrilling match against previous world champions France.
After a stunning 3-3 draw, Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties following Emi Martinez’s theatrics.
A lengthy ceremony followed, with Messi being awarded the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament.
Following medal hand-outs for both teams, the 35-year-old finally had an opportunity to lift the trophy.
Just before he did so, he was gifted a traditional Arab robe by the Emir of Qatar while standing next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Mbappe steals Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappe was inconsolable on the France bench as he watched Lionel Messi lift the World Cup trophy.
The French superstar became the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in the biggest game in football with a stunning treble against Argentina.
He then netted his penalty in a dramatic shootout – only to see rival keeper Emiliano Martinez save twice to condemn the reining champions to defeat after a 3-3 draw.
Mbappe, 23, went into the showpiece in Qatar level with Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina talisman, Lionel Messi, on five goals in the tournament.
Messi himself had netted twice in the breathtaking final – making it seven goals a piece – when Mbappe was presented an opportunity to level things up in the 118th minute.
And he held his nerve under the highest of pressure to clinch the Golden Boot, and keep his nation’s dreams alive.
Cheeky Messi
Lionel Messi has finally got his hands on the coveted prize.
Well, not quite. The Argentinian couldn’t help but give the trophy a quick kiss as he went up to the podium to collect his Golden Ball trophy for tournament’s best player.
Minutes later, he would be able to lift it for real with his team-mates.
But it was this cheeky interchange that showed exactly what it meant to him.
Martinez dance
Emi Martinez’s “s***house” theatrics helped Argentina beat France on penalties in the World Cup final.
The thrilling clash went to spot kicks after a pulsating 3-3 draw in Qatar.
The shimmying, swaggering Aston Villa goalkeeper saved Kingsley Coman’s spot kick.
He then won a battle of mind games with Aurelien Tchouameni to put Argentina close to the finishing line.
Tchouameni, 22, was made to wait an age to take his penalty after Martinez threw the ball away.
The referee booked the stopper for his unsportsmanlike conduct – but the damage had been done.
The French midfielder missed the target altogether, with Martinez performing a dance in celebration.
Topless Argie fan
Fans are convinced that they spotted a topless Argentina fan celebrating the team’s World Cup win.
After Gonzalo Montiel’s decisive penalty kick, the TV cameras panned to the jubilant Argentina fans.
Viewers are sure that they spotted one Argentina supporter celebrating with her shirt off.
One blonde fan can be spotted with her shirt in hand while appearing to be wearing nothing else on her torso.
Fans took to social media to discuss the sighting as one said: “I spotted her, very brave! she’ll be arrested over there if she’s not careful…”
A second added: “Caught live on TV”.
Argentina World Cup celebrations
Argentina have finally won their first World Cup since 1986 in Diego Maradona’s glory years.
Lionel Messi has finally won the one title that has eluded him throughout his illustrious 18-year career.
This will go down in history as one of the most unforgettable finals in the competition’s history
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Credit: Getty
Credit: AP
Argentina are world champions
Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup and are flying high in Qatar!
Lionel Messi has finally lifted the golden trophy for the first time in 18-year career.
Amazing scenes at the Lusail Stadium with Argentina fans rocking on the stands.
A stunning fireworks display takes place in the ground as the rest of the team joins the players on stage
Credit: Getty
Argentina awards time
Argentina are now entering the stage for their gold medals!
They are all looking ecstatic as they are about to lift their first World Cup since 1986.
We are finally about to see Lionel Messi holding that golden trophy after 18 years.
What a moment this is for Argentina!
Credit: Reuters
France get their medals
France players have now entered the stage for their silver medals, which they are handed by their President Emmanuel Macron.
Argentina give Les Bleus a guard of honour on their awards.
Players look understandably dejected, especially star man Kylian Mbappe.
They came so close to retaining the world title…
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More awards
Argentina star Emiliano Martinez has been awarded as the best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup – major recognition for Aston Villa.
France superstar Kylian Mbappe has been awarded as the tournament’s top scorer.
Mbappe scored a total of eight goals in seven matches, in which he also registered two assists.
The Paris Saint-Germain hero is too disappointed to enjoy this success and looks like he wants to be anywhere else but there, same as French President Emmanuel Macron.
Lionel Messi is now awarded as the tournament’s best player – very well deserved.
Messi exits the stage by giving the World Cup trophy a cheeky kiss before he lifts it
Credit: Reuters
Trophy has arrived
The World Cup trophy has arrived on the pitch of the Lusail Stadium.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has ben joined by Qatar chiefs and Frenchrench President Emmanuel Macron.
The referees have been awarded and it is now time for awards with Enzo Fernandez, 21, being awarded as the best young player of the 2022 World Cup.
Fernandez has beaten a raft of young stars, such as England’s Bellingham
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Macron comforts Mbappe
French President Emmanuel Macron has entered the pitch to congratulate France’s stars after a stunning performance.
Kylian Mbappe was inconsolable and Macron did his best to comfort him after his stunning performance.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also tried to calm the star striker.
An incredible performance by both the Paris Saint-Germain superstar and the Tricolores
Credit: AP
Credit: EPA
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