Argentina crowned World Cup champions in wild final

Argentina were crowned World Champions as La Albiceleste beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first 120 minutes in one of the World Cup finals ever.

Action: In the opening stages of the game, Argentina were the better side, controlling the tempo and creating the first chances of the game.

A moment of pure magic from Angel Di María helped the La Albiceleste to take the lead midway the first half. The 35-year-old winger twisted Ousmane Dembélé and then was brought down inside the area by the Barcelona player. 

From the penalty spot, Lionel Messi sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way, firing his shot into the right side of the goal.

After the goal, France became more nervous, left more spaces open and the South Americans pounced.

In the 36th minute, in a perfect counter-attack, with Messi opening the way with a lovely ball to Julian Alvarez, who sent Alexis Mac Allister away and then the Brighton man put in a beautifully weighted pass to Di Maria on his left side, who slotted the ball past Lloris to double the lead for Argentina.

In the second period, Argentina kept controlling the game and didn't allow the French side to create many chances.

However, three changes midway the second half, changed the course of the game. Lionel Scaloni took Di Maria from the game with 25 minutes to play, to put Marcos Acuna and that sent the wrong message as they started to drop back and lost attacking power. In the other bench, Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga were a breath of fresh air for Didier Deschamps' men.

The Argentine fans were already singing 'Olé' in the stands, but the drama began when 10 minutes from time, Kolo Muani got in behind the Argentinian defence and was fouled in the box by former Man City Nicolas Otamendi.

From the spot, Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for Les Bleus as he riffled the penalty into the bottom corner giving no chance to Emi Martinez.

And out of nowhere, the French levelled the game just two minutes later. Mbappe played a quickfire looped one-two with Kolo Muani and delivered a powerful volleyed finish into the far corner to shock Argentina and sent the game to extra time.

In extra-time, the Copa America winners looked physically stronger than France and once again were more dangerous.

In the 109th minute, Enzo Fernandez slid Lautaro Martinez in down the left and he forced a superb save from Lloris, but in the rebound Messi put Argentina in front again.

With champions' spirit, France came back to life three minutes from time after Kylian Mbappe's shot was blocked by the arm of Gonzalo Montiel in the box and were awarded a penalty.

Mbappe put his nation back on level terms sending Martinez to the wrong side and became only the second man to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup final after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

In the added minutes of stoppage time, France nearly completed an insane comeback, but a tremendous save from Emi Martinez denied Kolo Muani's attempt from 12 yards out and forced the World Cup to be decided on penalties.

From the spots, Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni missed their penalties and Argentina won 4-2 on penalties to crown Lionel Messi and Argentina as World Champions in a truly unforgettable World Cup 2022 final.

Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe. His PSG teammate will get the headlines (and deservedly so) for winning the World Cup for his country, but what the 23-year-old prodigy did on the pitch today only a few can do.

Already with a World Cup medal to his name, Mbappe will have plenty of time to win a World Cup again. And with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo retiring soon, Mbappe is destined to be the biggest name in football.

Magic moment: The final penalty. Gonzalo Montiel's penalty will be remembered by the Argentinians for the rest of their lifes as they were crowned World Champions for the third time in history.

xG: Argentina (3.57) 3-3 (2.33) France

Stat of the Day: Argentina have won the World Cup for a third time (also 1978 and 1986), 36 years since their last triumph in 1986. Only Italy (44 from 1938 to 1982) have ever had a longer gap between winning two World Cups.