The clash saw France and Argentina face off for the most coveted prize in international football.
Both sides headed into the game on the back of strong showings in the semi-finals, but the international giants had both shown their vulnerabilities defensively, meaning an exciting game was expected.
And when all was said and done, Argentina won the tie on penalties.
Argentina started the better of the two sides, with France careless in possession.
Some clever passing from Messi and De Paul led to a good chance for Argentina 16 minutes in, but the winger scuffed his shot on the poor surface.
France’s first chance came 19 minutes in after De Paul gave away a free-kick, which Grizemman floated to Giroud before the striker headed over.
Lionel Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
MESSIIIIIIII!!
No mistake from the penalty spot, Argentina are ahead in the World Cup final!#BBCWorldCup #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/90Lly2TULF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
France livened up somewhat after the opener but they continued to give the ball away too much.
Les Bleus were then countered by Argentina after pressing high up the pitch, with Angel Di Maria finishing off the move to make it 2-0.
Total football.
Angel Di Maria finished off an exquisite team goal for Argentina 🤤#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2Qfv7ChewO
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
After that goal, Deschamps made two subs with 40 minutes on the clock, taking off Giroud and Dembele for Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. Mbappe was also moved into a central role.
The changes improved France somewhat, whilst Argentina slowed their tempo down a fair bit once the second 45 began.
However, Messi and co. continued to test France, with a Rabiot tackle denying a great chance for Argentina’s no.10.
Di Maria, who spent all game causing issues for Jules Kounde, was then taken off for Marcos Acuna as Argentina made it clear they were willing to try and see out the match from the 64th minute.
But with 12 minutes of normal time, Otamendi brought down Thuram to win a penalty, which Mbappe scored to make it 2-1.
The forward then added a second goal just a few minutes later to make it 2-2, which Martinez should have saved.
Lionel Messi came close to winning the game in injury-time but Hugo Lloris made a massive save to ensure the tie went to extra time.
Argentina had the best chance during the first half of extra time when substitute Lautaro Martinez was played through but his effort went wide.
Messi then scored his second just minutes into the second half to put Argentina back in front.
UNBELIEVABLE!! LEO MESSI!!#BBCWorldCup #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/A3mQGyV3yb
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
There was yet another twist in the tale, though, as France won a penalty deep into extra time.
Mbappe took a shot and it hit Montiel’s arm. The Frenchman then stepped up to score his hat-trick and make it 3-3.
Martinez should have won the game in injury time but his effort was once again dismal, meaning the game went to penalties.
Mbappe scored the opener in the shootout and Martinez should have saved it. Lionel Messi was then up next and scored.
Martinez redeemed himself for his poor attempt earlier on by saving Coman’s penalty. Tchouaméni then missed France’s third penalty and Leandro Parades made it 3-1. Gonzalo Montiel, who gave away the penalty in extra time, then stepped up and scored to win the game.
📰 Table Of Contents
Argentina player ratings
- GK: Emi Martinez (8)
- RB: Nahuel Molina (6)
- CB: Cristian Romero (7)
- CB: Nicolas Otamendi (5)
- LB: Nicolas Tagliafico (7)
- CM: Rodrigo De Paul (7.5)
- CM: Enzo Fernandez (7)
- CM: Alexis MacAlister (8)
- RW: Lionel Messi (9)
- ST: Julian Alvarez (7)
- LW: Angel Di Maria (9)
Substitutes
Marcos Acuna (3)
Gonzalo Montiel (2)
Lautaro Martinez (1)
Leandro Paredes (5)
Paulo Dybala (N/A)
German Pezzella (N/A)
France player ratings
- GK: Hugo Lloris (5)
- RB: Juels Kounde (5)
- CB: Raphael Varane (5)
- CB: Dayot Upamecano (5)
- LB: Theo Hernandez (5)
- CDM: Aurélien Tchouaméni (4.5)
- CDM: Adrian Rabiot (6)
- CAM: Antoine Griezmann (6)
- RW: Ousmane Dembele (2)
- ST: Olivier Giroud (4)
- LW: Kylian Mbappe (9)
Substitutes
- Marcus Thuram (6.5)
- Randal Kolo Muani (6.5)
- Kingsley Coman (6)
- Edouardo Camavinga (6.5)
- Youssouf Fofana (4)
- Ibrahima Konate (4)
- Axel Disasai (N/A)
Match reaction
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
Lionel Messi has just become the first player ever to make 26 appearances at the #FIFAWorldCup.
No matter how this final ends, he already made history. 🇦🇷🙌#ARGFRA #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/rzuNiynPdj
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) December 18, 2022
Antoine Griezmann made two successful tackles in the opening 10 minutes, as many as every other other player on the pitch combined.
N’Golo Kanté mode activated. 📳#FIFAWorldCup
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 18, 2022
France got to do something about this No10 for Argentina. He’s getting too much space.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) December 18, 2022
Most goals + assists at the World Cup since 1966:
🇦🇷 20 – Lionel Messi 🆕
🇩🇪 19 – Miroslav Klose
🇧🇷 19 – RonaldoAnother record ✅ pic.twitter.com/HXsBUHSP8J
— Free Super Tips (@FootySuperTips) December 18, 2022
1 – Lionel Messi is the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quater-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the World Cup. Prestige. pic.twitter.com/jnisNEa8F5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022
One goal, two records for Lionel Messi✅https://t.co/aEvyRMMIpq
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) December 18, 2022
Giroud is being dominated by Otamendi and Romero. Mbappe and Dembele are getting nowhere near the target man to link up. #ARG #FRA #FIFAWorldCup
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 18, 2022
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
Argentina have now been awarded five penalties at #Qatar2022, which is the most penalties awarded to one team at a single #FIFAWorldCup tournament in our database (since 1966).
Three of them have come in their last three matches.#ARGFRA pic.twitter.com/b5gOAKNEZW
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) December 18, 2022
34+ – Goals scored in World Cup finals by players aged 34 years or older:
1930-2018: 2/74
In 2022: 2/2Vintage. pic.twitter.com/xeIoufvFN2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022
Oh dear…#BBCWorldCup #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/4NoQbgqy3h
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 18, 2022
This French team is actually good. They were only pretending. 🤣#ARGFRA #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCupFinal #FIFAWorldCup
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) December 18, 2022
Kylian Mbappe is the youngest player ever to score 10 World Cup goals 🔥🇫🇷
Generational talent! 🌟#FRA #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/dEBJctK16x
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) December 18, 2022
Messi I love you so much 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Mempeasem President (@AsieduMends) December 18, 2022