Fotbolls-VM - Argentina world champion after crazy drama

 

Leo Messi raises the bar - wearing a gift from the emir  

Argentina world champions - won unlikely World Cup final against France 

 

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Simon Norberg  

 

Published: Less than 3 hours ago 

 

Updated: Less than 50 min ago  

 

FOOTBALL 

 

Argentina are world champions for the first time in 36 years.  

 

After a crazy penalty drama, Lionel Messi repeated the idol Diego Maradona from 1986. 

 

Afterwards, Messi lifted the World Cup trophy in a coat. 

 

- I knew it would be like this, he says. 

 

Lionel Messi has now won everything there is to win. 

 

Today he capped off his already amazing career as Argentina became world champions for the first time since 1986 after a final drama never seen before against France. 

 

36 years after Diego Maradona became a national hero, Argentina needed a penalty shoot-out to win 4-3. 

 

- It's crazy that it turned out like this. I wanted this very much. I knew God would give this to me, I sensed it would be like this. Now I'm going to enjoy it, says Messi.

 

- I will not stop in the national team. I want to continue playing as a world champion in Argentina's shirt, he tells TyC Sports.  

 

Messi historic  

When the 35-year-old stepped out at Lusail Stadium, he became the player with the most World Cup matches ever. In the 26th match, he also scored in the first half as Argentina took a 2–0 lead. 

 

His goal came from the penalty spot and was the sixth of the tournament. 

 

With his goal, Messi became the first player ever to score in all the knockout games of a World Cup.  

 

Messi takes the bow wearing a robe he was given by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.  

 

Messi takes the bow wearing a robe he was given by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images  

 

Lost 2–0  

 

But 2–0 is not a safe lead if your name is Argentina.  

 

Against the Netherlands, two late goals from Wout Weghorst took the quarter-final to a penalty shoot-out and today against France it happened again.  

 

After 80 minutes perfectly executed football and a 2-0 lead at the back.  

 

But then Kylian Mbappé stepped into the proceedings. First, he reduced the penalty, the French's first shot on goal, and 95 seconds later he volleyed 2-2 on the penalty area line.

     

Montiel penalty hero  

 

But it was not clear there. Messi put Argentina into a 3–2 lead in the 110th minute and in the 118th, Mbappé stepped up to equalize again after France were penalized for a handball.  

 

Mbappe became the championship's top scorer with eight goals, closely followed by Messi with seven.  

 

Argentina then decided in the penalty shootout after taking all four of their penalties. Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the last and afterwards the jubilation knew no bounds. 

 

- A difficult match and we once again lost control. We conceded two silly goals. Thank goodness they failed the penalties late. I have dreamed of playing in the WC. I have no words. I want to dedicate this victory to my family, says Emiliano Martinez. 

 

Just before the trophy was to be lifted, Messi was forced to wear a robe, which looked more like a nightgown, by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. 

 

- The Emir presented a traditional costume. It's clear it was another move from Qatar, says Olof Lundh in C More.  

Facts 

 

Lionel Messi's track record 

  

1 WC gold

   

1 Copa America title 

 

1 Olympic gold

   

11 League titles 

  

4 Champions League titles 

 

3 Club World Cup titles 

  

3 Super Cup titles 

  

7 Ballon d'Or