Argentina world champion! | The Press

The Argentina of destiny. Messi’s Argentina. Argentina, world champion.

It was too easy for the Albiceleste against France. It was too good for Messi. But no. The wind has turned. Against all odds, when it had offered nothing, France came back.

Messi, it took him his moment. And he got it, in overtime. And that wasn’t even enough!

After 120 minutes, which ended 3-3, Argentina had to settle the dispute in a penalty shootout, after one of the most epic finals of all time. Perhaps the most epic.

This coronation, the Argentine people were waiting for it. Since 1986, since the days of Diego Maradona, since the rise of Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time. The disappointment of the Argentinians was strong after 2014, this final lost against Germany. In 2016, after a new disappointment in the final match of the Copa América, Messi said he would give up playing with the national team. Until he reconsiders his decision a few months later.

In recent years, bad luck has been warded off. The Albiceleste won the Copa in 2021 ahead of Brazil. And now she is world champion.

The Mbappé flash

Argentina had dominated this clash against France. Outrageously, even. The Blues, dark on the field, were initially very pale in the game.

Messi confirmed this ascendancy in the game by scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd.^e. Then became an accomplice, like five other of his teammates, on the magnificent collective success completed by Ángel Di María, in the 36^e.

France did nothing, nothing, nothing. Coach Didier Deschamps made two changes even before half-time: Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembélé left in favor of Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. The very first shot of the match of the Blues was attempted in the 68^e.

It was 2-0 until the 80^e. We were preparing the parade in Buenos Aires. We were preparing the crown for Messi.

At the 81^e, it was 2-2. Lightning Kylian Mbappé struck. Twice. At the 79^e, Randal Kolo Munai won a penalty for France. A gift from Argentina. Kylian Mbappé shows up and scores. 2-1.

The ball is put back into play. A few seconds pass. Ninety-seven, to be exact. After his own interception and a small 1-2 with Thuram, Mbappé receives the ball at the edge of the surface. And sends it, on the fly, falling, with power, into the back of the net. 2-2.

We believed in a robbery of the century on the part of the Blues. We believed that this momentum was going to propel them towards a second consecutive coronation, by shattering the dreams, the great Argentine dreams.

But Messi got up. Again. He thought he had delivered his people, his country, at the 108^e minute. He grabbed a return to the box, on a great run from Enzo Fernandez just before. And he scored the 3-2. He celebrates, tears in his eyes, as if the job was done.

But the job was not done. Because when a guy like Kylian Mbappé is on the opposite side of the pitch, you can’t take anything for granted. Not even in the second overtime period of the World Cup final.

France gets another penalty. And, of course, Mbappé is coming. And, of course, he succeeds. It’s 3-3, at the 118^e. With his eight goals, the French talisman obtained the Golden Boot of the tournament, a success ahead of Lionel Messi.

An epic final, we told you. The nerves held, at home? Hardly, over here. There are countless written versions of this article before your eyes right now.

So we had to go to the shootout. In the World Cup final. There is no greater, grander, more nerve-wracking moment in the world of team sports. Argentina, including Messi, have succeeded in all of theirs. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez danced, smiled, made a crucial save against Kingsley Coman. Aurélien Tchouaméni missed the target. And Argentina had the upper hand, 4-2.

France believed in its bet to win a second consecutive World Cup. But Argentina, inspired for and by their Messi, fulfilled their dream.