The Lovers of Sport and Football in particular would not have asked for more, when Argentina squared up against the defending champions France at the Lusail Stadium. As the night progressed, an epic drama began to unfold and eventually it reached a crescendo of astonishing proportions. The critics of the game in unison rechristened the encounter as the greatest of all World Cup Finals and how true they were.
Argentina vs France – The Final : 3(4) – 3(2)
A Smart Move from Lionel Scaloni & vintage Di Maria
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s Manager made one strategic change to the line up and brought in the hugely experienced Angel Di Maria, a big match player and how well the move paid off. Di Maria played superbly from the left flank and combined incredibly well with Mac Allister and Messi. His insightful move in the 23rd minute got a penalty for Argentina and Messi, the master of penalties converted with ease. Argentina were ahead and then again in the 36th minute in a brilliant passage of play, Mac Allister made a lovely run down the middle passed to Di Maria to his left, who made the coolest of finishes. Argentina had taken a 2-0 lead and it appeared that Messi would eventually win the coveted trophy which had so eluded him.
Mbappe Makes Them Pay
The second half was progressing according to the Argentine plans. They had held off the French and just 10 minutes were left for the final whistle. As had happened with the Dutch, the Argentinians began to get jittery as the close of play approached and conceded a penalty in the 80th minute. It was just the opening the French wanted and the match just turned turtle almost. Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot. A superb strike and then again in the 81st minute Marcos Thuram set up Mbappe and the super star did not disappoint. He unleashed a ferocious volley which sped past Emiliano Martinez in the blink of an eye. The French had levelled up the match and pushed it into extra time with the Argentinians stunned.
Messi Almost Wins it but Mbappe is in the Way.
There was much more drama still to unfold as both teams looked to get ahead and seal the match. Argentina, however looked far more incisive and went on the attack. Of all players it was Messi again who gave them the lead 3 minutes into the second half of the extra time. The stadium almost came down when he scored and it so appeared that with just a few minutes to go Argentina would hold on to the lead come what may, but yet again a twist was waiting to happen. With nerves jangling and just 2 minutes to go for the final whistle, Argentina conceded yet another penalty and the brilliant Mbappe struck with immense power and scored. The Stadium erupted again and so did Emmanuel Macron, the French President. It was 3-3 and had it not been for an astonishing save by Emiliano Martinez to a Kolo Muani strike in the dying seconds, France would have emerged victorious. For me it was the save of the World Cup.
The Penalties & Briliant Martinez
It was even stevens and the tie had to be broken by penalties. It was anybody’s game now as Argentina were left to rue their defensive pitfalls. Mbappe scored for the French. Messi responded alike. It was 1-1 and yet again Emiliano Martinez came to the fore. He brilliantly stopped the next kick from Kingsley Coman, while Paulo Dybala scored for Argentina. It was 2-1 now. Under immense pressure the young Tchouameni ( who had scored a spectacular goal against England ) struck wide of the goal post. The French were losing the plot. Leandro Paredes scored for Argentina and so did Kolo Muani for the French and then it boiled down to the final kick of the match. Gonzalo Montiel kept his nerve never to miss and scored. The stadium went up in raptures . Argentina had became the World Champions after a gap of 36 years. The players virtually collapsing on the field drowned in emotions.
Messi, the All Conqueror
Messi had eventually conquered the Final Fontier, the Jules Rimet was finally his and deservedly so. Argentina played exceptional football after the loss of their first game to Saudi Arabia. Every game since that loss was a knockout game for them. They could not afford to lose and so they ensured. The team was led by Messi in an extraordinary manner. He was a live wire who plotted most of the goals and was the glue of his team. The other players too responded in equal measure and gave their everything to their Team and their captain. Though the match went into penalties, Argentina had the upper hand on most part of the game. Messi was unquestionably the player of the Tournament.
Some Solace for Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe, the winner of the Golden Boot, ended on the losing side inspite of scoring a hat-trick . He gave it all too, but Football is eventually a team game and the French Team in totality came second to a more driven Argentina.
Emiliano Martinez, the star Goalkeeper rescued Argentina yet again and deserved the Golden Gloves award, while the 21 year old midfielder Enzo Fernandes won the Young Player of the World Cup Award.
The last word on this World Cup is yet to be written and I would be sharing a few more posts in my summation of one of the finest World Cups I have seen.
Keep Reading Quick & Better @ rizkhan.in , on the GO.
Featured Image courtesy talkSPORT