Joralexray Garcia
An impressive showdown was expected in the match between Argentina vs France for the grand final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.The match was a real heart-stopping show for both those present in the stadium and the television viewers, who finally saw Lionel Messi crowned as the world champion.
Te game lasted 120 minutes, and the penalty shootout was lived with great intensity. All in all, the game was full of great plays and, of course, controversy. That’s why JefeBet has gathered the best moments of the World Cup final so that you don’t miss any detail of the last match of the most important event in the world of soccer.
The best moments of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Final
This 2022 World Cup witnessed one of the most entertaining and dramatic finals ever seen, with some world soccer experts even going so far as to consider it the best final in the history of the World Cups, something that many may not agree with, but which would not be far from the truth.
Although Argentina started slightly behind in the betting, they were able to dominate things against the former world champions during the first 45 minutes, with Angel Di Maria being unstoppable on the left side, while Lionel Messi pulled the strings alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.
22′ Great play by Di María and controversial penalty for Argentina
Di Maria was the most engaged player of the match during the first half, continually confronting Joules Koundé,who was assisted by a Ousmane Dembélé who was unable, due to his poor defensive skills, to stop the 34-year-old Argentine in a clean play, bringing him down inside the box and giving way to a penalty that left many with doubts.
Although it was minor, Dembélé touched Di María and caused him to stumble, a contact that referee Szymon Marciniak deemed sufficient to award a penalty.
23′ Goal by Lionel Messi (1-0)
Lionel Messi did not care if it was a penalty or not.Lionel, who had previously kicked four penalties in this World Cup, missing only one, scored the goal for Argentina. Even if there had been many doubts around him, as to his ability to score in this type of play, he totally dispersed those doubts with a great kick, filling millions of Argentine fans with joy.
36′ Great counter-attack and goal by Angel Di Maria (2-0).
Despite opening the scoring,the Argentine team was not satisfied, and it continued to dominate the match, an effort that was rewarded in the 36th minute with a ball recovered on their side of the field by Nahuel Molina, who started a great counter-attack with the participation of Mac Allister, Messi, Julián Álvarez and Di María, who finished a great play.
That goal made Di María the first player to score in a Copa América, a Finalissima, and a World Cup final, an achievement that, together with his efforts and perseverance, made the Rosarino shed a few tears of joy.
41′ Deschamps can’t take it any longer and makes two changes
After seeing his team totally outplayed and 2-0 down on the scoreboard, French coach Didier Deschamps took matters into his own hands and made two changes in the first half that surprised everyone. Those sacrificed in this move were Dembélé, who caused the penalty for the first goal and had no influence in the attack, and Olivier Giroud, who also failed to make an impact in attack.
59′ Great chance by Julián Álvarez
The game continued going down the same road at the beginning of the second half, with France unable to react and resisting against an Argentina team that kept trying to extend the lead, but were unable to do so due to good appearances by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris or deflected shots.
64′ First change for Argentina. Surprisingly, Di María comes off.
Although he was giving a great performance on the pitch, Di María was the first change made by Lionel Scaloni, being replaced by Marcos Acuña after he felt some physical discomfort. It should be remembered that Di Maria did not play in the quarterfinals and that he only played a few minutes in the semifinals due to injury.
71′ The moment that changes everything, Coman and Camavinga come in.
With the final whistle approaching, and Argentina maintaining their dominance, Deschamps decided to bring out Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez, who had not had a good game, and put Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga in the field instead.
These changes brought freshness to the French team, Coman being unstoppable on the right side and Camavinga dominating the midfield, something that also boosted the morale of Kylian Mbappé, who began to participate more in the game.
79′ First big Argentine distraction
Argentina was unable to respond in the best way to the changes made by France, who with a long ball complicated the South American defense and generated a penalty after an alleged grab by Nicolás Otamendi.
80′ Mbappé scores
The penalty was executed by none other than Kyliam Mbappé, who with great determination won over a penalty expert like Emiliano Martínez.
81′ Two minutes of agony
After that goal, France continued to invade Argentina’s penalty area with long balls, and just a minute later, after a great pass from Marcus Thuram, Kylian Mbappé would shake the net once again with a truly stunning volleyed goal, thus putting the game even, silencing half of South America.
90+7′ Great save by Lloris and the teams go to extra time
When Argentina were not at their best, their captain and best player, Lionel Messi had a clear chance with a powerful shot outside the box, but he came up against Hugo Lloris who made a magnificent save.
108′ Messi’s goal and the dream is close again
At the start of the second half of the extra time, Argentina came out with a different attitude after making a couple of changes, one of them being Lautaro Martinez, who would star in a great team play that would end in Messi’s goal and the 3-2 for Argentina.
Although there was a moment of suspense, while the VAR reviewed the action, everything was in order and it was confirmed the new advantage for the Argentine team.
116′ Another penalty. Mbappé breaking Argentine hearts again
With Argentina leading the scoreboard, France went on the attack once again and were awarded with another penalty because of Gonzalo Montiel’s hand.
It was Mbappé who once again converted the penalty into a goal with another great finish, becoming the first player since 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
120+3′ Dibu Martinez appears, and gives Argentina one last life
Just when it looked like the Qatar 2022 final would go to penalties, another long ball from France left Randal Kolo Muani face to face with the Argentine goalkeeper, who made a spectacular save to keep his team’s hopes of victory intact.
Penalty shootout: Martinez at his best
With the match tied at 3-3, everything had to be decided from the 11 meters, that save by Dibu Martínez at the end of extra time being a warning sign of what was yet to come.
Messi and Mbappé infallible
As the best players in their national teams, PSG teammates Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi took the responsibility of taking the first penalty for their teams, both finishing in fine fashion and converting their chances.
Martinez makes his mark as France misses two penalties
After failing to do anything about Mbappé, Emiliano Dibuz Martinez concentrated on the next players, pulling off a phenomenal save from Kingsley Coman, and seeing Aurélien Tchouaméni send his shot just wide of the left post.
Dybala and Paredes ratify advantage
With France’s failures, Argentina had the obligation to seize the opportunity and take the lead in the penalty shootout, something that Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes, who had come on in extra time, did.
Montiel from villain to hero
Gonzalo Montiel had caused the 3-3 penalty minutes before the end of extra time, but he would have his revenge by taking the fourth penalty for Argentina, which he converted in great fashion to secure his team’s victory.
The wait is over: Messi gets his revenge and Argentina is a World Cup champion.
Argentina had to wait 36 years to be crowned world champion again, with some disappointing participations in between and some very painful ones, such as in 2014, when they lost in the final against Germany. However, 2022 smiled on their faces and gave them something that a hey deserved so much.
