Argentina have won the 2022 Men’s World Cup, defeating France in the final match in Lusail, Qatar, on SUN 18 DEC 2022. The match ended 3-3 after extra time, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties.

Argentina manager Lionel SCALONI made the surprising decision to start Ángel DI MARÍA over Leandro PAREDES, but with Di María causing trouble on the left wing, the Albiceleste started the match on the front foot. The French defense were tested frequently, and in the 21st minute, Di María was brought down by Ousmane DEMBÉLÉ in the area. Lionel MESSI converted the spot kick past France goalkeeper Hugo LLORIS. A breakaway in the 36th minute saw Messi launch the ball for Alexis MAC ALLISTER, whose one touch cross found Di María to power past Lloris.

Five minutes later, France manager Didier DESCHAMPS had seen enough. He replaced two of his three starting forwards, Dembélé and Olivier GIROUD, with Randal KOLO MUANI and Marcus THURAM. Still, it was not until the 68th minute that France finally managed a shot attempt. Kolo Muani earned a lifeline for les Bleus in the 79th, drawing a foul by Nicolás OTAMENDI in the area. Kylian MBAPPÉ, held quiet to that point, scored the penalty, and less than two minutes later, he levelled the scores with a volley past goalkeeper Emiliano MARTÍNEZ.

The pace picked up for the remainder of the second half, but with no further goals coming, extra time was required. In the 108th minute, a scramble in the area saw a save from Lloris rebound directly to Messi’s feet, and his calm finish put the Albiceleste in front again. But ten minutes later, a penalty was awarded to France following a handball by Gonzalo MONTIEL, and Mbappé scored from the spot to equalise once more. In the process, Mbappé became the second player to score a hat trick in a Men’s World Cup final, following England’s Geoff HURST in 1966.

One more moment of drama came in the extra time, as Martínez made a desperate kick save on Kolo Muani’s potential winner, but the match ended 3-3 and went to penalties. Martínez saved Kingsley COMAN’s attempt, and Aurélien TCHOUAMÉNI sent his wide of the post. Argentina were perfect on their spot kicks, including Montiel’s decisive strike in the fourth round that touched off jubilant celebrations in Qatar and back home in Argentina.

The Albiceleste lift the Men’s World Cup for the third time, following their titles in 1978 and 1986. Though unable to retain the title, France still go into the record books as the first defending champions since Brazil in 1998 to reach the final of the next Men’s World Cup.