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France vs Argentina
This hands down had to be one of the greatest World Cup finales in the history of the tournament. It was a showdown between the old guard and the new guard, Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappé.
For many this would be whether Messi would solidify his legacy as the greatest player ever after losing the 2014 final in extra time to Germany. For Mbappé it would be about winning two World Cup tournaments at the young age of 22.
The final would start with pure Argentine dominance in every aspect of the game with the French looking like they didn't know they were playing in a final. Angel Di Maria proved to be dangerous in the attack in which he would draw a penalty in the 23rd minute from Ousmane Dembele. It was a very soft penalty but nonetheless a penalty call. Lionel Messi would bury it to make it 1-0 for Argentina.
In the 36th minute it would be Di Maria working his magic again in a beautiful team goal to make it 2-0 right before the half. Many including myself thought this thing was over but we were in for a surprise.
Coming out of the half with France subbing off Giroud and Greizmann, it didn't get any better. There was one factor for France and his name is Kylian Mbappé. The French would earn themselves a penalty in the 80th minute in which Mbappé would convert to make it 2-1. Just one minute later in the 81st it was Mbappé with an absolute masterclass of a volley to equalize 2-2 and it was game on. France had an absolute HUGE chance to walk off the final but a crazy save by Emi Martinez saved Argentina.
We would head to extra time with France displaying a very young team with Real Madrid superstars Tchouaméni and Camavinga on the pitch. Messi would fire back in the 108th minute putting Argentina up 3-2 and surely this had to be it. We were wrong as another penalty was called for a handball in the 118th minute two minutes shy of the final whistle in which Mbappé stepped up making it 3-3 earning himself a hat trick.
We went into a penalty shootout in which Emi Martinez was once again the hero for Argentina. Coman and Tchouaméni would miss their penalty shots for France putting them in a deep hole. Gonzalo Montiel stepped up and delivered Argentina their first World Cup victory since 1986.
Final Results:
1. Argentina
2. France
3. Croatia
That's a wrap for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and we will see you in North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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