36 years later, Argentina World Champions!

Lionel Messi has achieved his boyhood dream of lifting the world cup as Argentina win their third title on penalties on arguably one of the best finals in tournaments history.

This day will be marked in all Argentine lives forever! The day they re-lift the world cup after 36 YEARS! All the tears and sweat paid off, from losing the 2014 world cup to winning the 2022 world cup, these last few years have been a roller coaster ride for Argentina emotionally and mentally!

The cup was in Argentina’s grasp until the 80th minute, as they were winning 2-0. Until Kylian Mbappé scored 2 goals in 2 minutes. One as a penalty and one beautiful strike from a pass from Kolo Muani.

Argentines felt the worst fears creeping in as they reminisced the last world cup final they lost, with a goal in the ‘dying minutes’ in 2014 against Germany. However, the collected mindset and faith of Argentines pulled them through to extra-time and were able to hold off the incoming French barrier.

Extra-Time was another masterpiece from both sides! The game started off slowly until another fast build-up play and Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s third goal and the goal that put them back in the lead in the 108th minute, which 10 minutes later cancelled out from another penalty converted by Mbappé giving him a hat-trick for the night in the 118th minute!

It looked like the game was going to go to penalties and both sides were just passing the ball around, but there was a heroic intervention from Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to a play that left Kolo Muani in front of goal. A fast build up from behind left Argentina’s defence wide open and Muani a chance to seal the game but it was denied by Emiliano Martinez, and should I say, for me that was the save of the tournament surely!

The game proceeded to penalties with France and Argentina both scoring their first penalties. Then, Martinez again came and saved the day by saving two penalties in a row to give Argentina the advantage. Argentina carefully took those chances and converted their two penalties which put the score at 3-1. All the pressure was on the next penalty taker for France who was Muani, he swiftly converted and made 3-2. However, the next penalty if Argentina were to score would seal the game for them winning the world cup.

It was Montiel, he nervously looked at the ball and at the keeper, he kept looking, a small breath before taking the first few steps towards the ball he built up the momentum and hit it to the right of the keeper and the keeper went to his left. GOALLLLLLLL!!! That’s all you could hear, sheer joy from the Argentine wall that came to Qatar to support their team, Montiel had just won them the world cup, with a little help from Messi and Martinez.

This win was a must for millions of adults, teenagers and children all looking up to the same 169cm man hoping that this would make football right, to make it fair, this win had to be for him and for Argentina, it had to be for Messi for all that he has done for football, for all that he has achieved, this was the one thing everyone wanted for him and what he wanted for himself.

Messi has taught everyone a lot of valuable lessons throughout the longevity of his career and he still continues to do so with his 35 years of age. Scoring two goals in a world cup final at that age isn’t for everyone. This night will remain on repeat in many children’s lives and adults, bringing them joy every time they think about it!