FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Highlights: Messi helps Argentina end 36-year wait to lift World Cup

Emiliano Martinez in tears

A tearful Emiliano Martinez in tears to beIN Sports: We had the game under control but the team were doomed to suffer. France almost scored a winner too but thank God we are here. The World Cup is something I have been dreaming of. I have no words to express what I'm feeling.

ARGENTINA WIN

GOAL!! Montiel scores the winning goal as Argentina beat France 4-2 in the penalty shootouts. And the celebrations begin. Messi and Argentina are the Champions of the WORLD! Incredible scenes at Lusail Stadium

France Score

GOAL! Kolo Muani scores for France. ARG 3-2 FRA

ARG lead

GOAL!! Paredes Scores for Argentina. ARG 3-1 FRA

Missed

Tchouameni misses! ARG 2-1 FRA

Dybala Scores

GOAL!! Dybala scores and Argentina lead shootouts 2-1

France Miss! Martinez saves - FRA 1 (3) - ARG 1 (3)

ARG 1 (3) - FRA 1 (3)

Goal! GOAT for reason, Messi scores calmly for Argentina.

FRA 1 (3)-3 ARG

Goal! Mbappe converts! FRANCE 4 - ARG 3

We are into the penalties now

The teams are getting ready for the penalty shootouts!

End of Extra Time

FRA 3-3 ARG! The referee blows the whistle to end the second half of the extra time. What a contest we have had so far!

Most goals in FIFA World Cup 16 - Miroslav Klose (Germany) 15 - Ronaldo (Brazil) 14 - Gerd Muller (West Germany) 13 - Just Fontaine (France)/Lionel Messi (Argentina) 12 - Pele (Brazil)/Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe Creates History!

4 - Kylian Mbappé has scored more World Cup final goals than any other player in the tournament's history (4)

Penalty to France

116'! France get a penalty and Mbappe once again scores. France are alive with the equaliser from their maverick. This is the first WC Final hat trick since 1966!

FRANCE EQUALISE AGAIN THROUGH @KMbappe! 💪

THE HAT-TRICKKKKKK 🤯🤯🤯

🇦🇷3-3🇫🇷 | #ARGFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/O1D6DzPejW

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) December 18, 2022

We are into the last five minutes of the second half of the extra time. Can Argentina stave off France and script history?

GOAL! Messi Scores

109'! Goal - Lionel Messi has scored for his team and Argentina are 3-2 now. Argentina have taken the lead.

End of the first half of Extra Time

106'! The first half of the extra time has ended and both teams have been unable to break the deadlock. We have another exciting 15 minutes in front of us.

Argentina miss a chance, again

105'! Attempt missed. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) left-footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcos Acuna with a through ball.

Attempt missed by Argentina

Messi is seen for the first time in 20 minutes as he tries to hit but Lloris saves it. Good defence from France. Argentina get a corner but fail to convert.

Substitution for Argentina

102'! Martinez comes off the bench to replace Alvarez

8th WC Final to enter extra time

It's the 8th World Cup Final to go to extra time, with just two of those going to penalties

Substitution for France

96'! Adrien Rabiot leaves the pitch and Youssouf Fofana enters.

Second half Ends

At the end of the second half. Argentina and France are tied at 2-2!

24,400 tweets per second for France’s goal, highest ever for World Cup!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2022

96'! Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul

End of REGULATION tIME

90'! The regulation time has ended and 8 minutes of stoppage time has been added. Will the deadlock be broken?

France have equalised

GOALL!!! Mbappe Scores his second goal within a minute and France have equalised for his team. It was a right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marcus Thuram.

Penalty for France

GOAL!! 79'! Penalty for France And Mbappe scores from the spot. ARG 2-1 FRA

Attempt Missed by Argentina

67'! Attempt missed. Randal Kolo Muani (France) with an attempt from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross following a corner.

Second Half Begins

The play resumes in the second half. Argentina have ruled the first 45 minutes and the injury time that followed and Les Blues have looked clueless. Can the defending champions make a comeback in the second half?

Half-Time

End of the first half in Lusail Stadium and with the help of goals from Messi and Di Maria, Argentina are leading France by 2-0. It has been Argentina's game in the first half. Will France be able to make a comeback in the second half. We'll have to wait and watch.