World Cup Qatar 2022: The Book of Highlights (Finale)
Image Credit: Alvaro Palacios
By: Anthony Tazbaz
A Final Word
Before we put a lid onto the cup, one cannot forget about the final. As pre-emptively dubbed “one for the ages”, the final did not disappoint and maybe even exceeded expectations. Following Messi’s penalty shot goal and Angel Di Maria’s emphatic goal at the conclusion of an incredible counter-attack, France’s title hopes seemed all but over.
However, French substitute Randal Kolo Muani drew a crucial penalty and French and Paris Saint-Germain (still) young gun Kylian Mbappé successfully converted, consequently reducing the deficit by half at the 80th minute. Then, less than two minutes later (94 seconds to be precise), Kylian Mbappé doubled his tally and equalized the score with an incredible volley. His heroics extended the thrilling contest into extra-time and equalling the all-time goal tally in the World Cup final match (3). At 23, he also became the second-youngest player to score a brace in a World Cup final, after Pele did so in 1958.
With 30+ minutes added to the tournament, Leo Messi scored his seventh 2022 World Cup goal and his second of the game during the second half of extra-time, thus re-capturing the lead (3-2). However, the final moments before added time included another penalty awarded to Les Bleus and once again, successfully taken by Mbappé. With his third, the French sensation became the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and the all-time leading scorer in the final match (4). His eighth goal of the tournament (excluding penalty shootouts) secured him the Golden Boot.
With a 3-3 score, the World Cup ended on penalties for a third time in its 92-year history (the USA, 1994, and Germany, 2006). With France looking to exercise its demons from their 2006 final loss against Italy, Argentina entered this penalty shootout with an 83.3 win percentage (5 wins, 1 loss), the best in World Cup history. With Emiliano Martinez starring in the shootout with two saves, and young French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni placing his shot off target, right-back Gonzalo Montiel slotted the cup-winning penalty past Hugo Lloris. Their shootout victory expanded their win percentage in penalties to 86% and… crown them world champions!
While few finals from the earlier editions could come relatively close (lest we forget the very first final in 1930 or The Miracle of Bern in 1954), the vast majority of those alive today will likely claim this final as the best. A total of six goals, including a hat-trick by Mbappé and a brace by a global favourite in Messi, the penalty shootout were the sprinkles to the cake and Montiel’s penalty became the cherry on top.
Ultimately, however, a World Cup hosted in Qatar with Mbappé as a finalist and Golden Boot winner and Messi as a Golden Ball winner and World Cup champion, Paris Saint-Germain seems to be another massive winner by default. The club from the French capital and its supporters will hope that Mbappé’s form and shortcomings alongside Messi’s expertise in winning major trophies will further fuel both stars to lead the French club to domestic and European glory.
