Messi wins World Cup

The World Cup final turned from a one-sided affair into a nerve-racking vintage showdown and it was somehow fitting that footballing diva Argentina prevailed over France amid the drama.
Argentina’s players celebrate a goal. REUTERS

Tears flowed at Lusail stadium when Gonzalo Montiel buried the winning penalty for a 4-2 shootout victory after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick had dragged France back into the contest twice following Angel Di Maria’s opener and Lionel Messi’s double.

Messi’s maiden cup

    Lionel Messi (35) finally won the biggest prize of his life in soccer — FIFA World Cup
    Twice gave Argentina the lead, at 1-0 on a 23rd-minute penalty and 3-2 in the 108th minute
    Becomes the first man in World Cup history to score goals in group stage, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals & final
    Messi achieved what Maradona did in 1986 and dominated a World Cup for Argentina

Golden boot for Mbappé

    France lost despite Kylian Mbappe (23) scoring the first hat-trick in a final in 56 years
    Joined England’s Geoff Hurst (1966) as the only players with a hat-trick in a WC final
    Scored from the spot in 80th minute, levelled the match 97 seconds later and set up the shootout with his third goal on a penalty in 118th minute
    Secured the Golden Boot by scoring his sixth, seventh and eighth goals of tournament

Argentina, somehow, were ready for an emotional, nail-biting encounter, having already gone through a dress rehearsal in the same stadium against Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
 Lionel Messi with the trophy the Golden Ball award.
Kylian Mbappe with Golden Boot award.