Overview
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, contested on December 18, 2022, at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, pitted Argentina against France. The match, which concluded 3-3 after extra time, saw Argentina emerge victorious with a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout, securing their third World Cup title. This final is frequently cited as one of the greatest in the tournament's history, marked by its dramatic swings, individual brilliance, and a thrilling conclusion. The encounter was defined by the duel between Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, and France's forward, Kylian Mbappé, both of whom delivered performances that shaped the match's narrative.
A Decisive Victory for Argentina
Argentina's triumph fulfilled Lionel Messi's career ambition of winning the FIFA World Cup, the only major trophy missing from his extensive collection. His two goals in the final, complemented by his composure in the penalty shootout, were central to Argentina's success. The victory marked Argentina's first World Cup win since 1986, ending a 36-year wait for the South American nation. The joyous celebrations that followed in Buenos Aires and across Argentina underscored the significance of this achievement to the country's footballing identity.
Mbappé's Historic Hat-trick
Despite France's defeat, Kylian Mbappé's performance earned him accolades, as he became only the second player in World Cup Final history, after Geoff Hurst in 1966, to score a hat-trick. His three goals, including two rapid strikes in the second half that brought France back from a two-goal deficit, showcased his explosive talent and resilience. Mbappé's individual brilliance ensured the match remained competitive until the final whistle, forcing extra time and then a penalty shootout.
A Spectacle of World Football
The final was a captivating display of attacking football and dramatic shifts in momentum. Argentina initially dominated, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime, only for France to stage a remarkable comeback. The back-and-forth nature of the game, with both teams refusing to yield, contributed to its status as a memorable sporting event. The penalty shootout, an intense conclusion to an already exhilarating match, further cemented its place in World Cup lore (FIFA.com).
Pre-match context
Argentina and France arrived at the 2022 World Cup Final after distinct but equally challenging paths. Argentina, under manager Lionel Scaloni, had recovered from a shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia (Wikipedia) to win every subsequent match, building momentum and confidence. Their journey included dominant performances against Mexico, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands (via penalties), and Croatia in the semi-finals. The team was characterized by its defensive solidity, midfield industry, and the attacking brilliance of Lionel Messi, who was enjoying a standout tournament.
France's Road to the Final
France, the reigning champions from 2018, aimed to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups (Wikipedia). Managed by Didier Deschamps, their path to the final saw them navigate a group containing Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia, before overcoming Poland, England, and Morocco in the knockout stages. Despite several key player absences due to injury, including Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, and N'Golo Kanté, France demonstrated depth and resilience, primarily driven by the prolific goalscoring of Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann's influential playmaking (Transfermarkt).
Head-to-Head and Key Narratives
Historically, the two nations had met three times in the World Cup prior to this final. Argentina had won two of those encounters (1930 and 1978), while France secured a memorable 4-3 victory in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup, a match also featuring a Kylian Mbappé brace (Wikipedia). Entering the 2022 final, the dominant narrative revolved around Lionel Messi's quest to win the one major trophy that had eluded him, a victory that would solidify his status among football's all-time greats. For France, it was an opportunity to cement their dynastic status and Mbappé to further establish himself as the sport's next global superstar.
Team Form and Absences
Both teams entered the final in strong form. Argentina had grown into the tournament, showing tactical flexibility and a strong collective spirit. France, despite their injury woes, showcased their attacking prowess and experience in high-stakes matches. There were no significant new injuries reported for either team immediately prior to the final, though France had contended with a virus affecting some players in the days leading up to the match, raising some concerns about their physical readiness.
Match narrative
First half
The match began with Argentina asserting early dominance, controlling possession and pressing France high up the pitch. The tactical setup from Argentina's Lionel Scaloni appeared to stifle France's key attackers, particularly Mbappé, who struggled to get involved in the opening exchanges. The pressure paid off in the 21st minute when Ángel Di María, playing on the left wing, was brought down in the box by Ousmane Dembélé. Lionel Messi stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, giving Argentina a deserved 1-0 lead. Argentina continued to press their advantage, and in the 36th minute, a swift counter-attack saw Alexis Mac Allister drive forward before playing a pass to Di María, who finished calmly past Hugo Lloris to double Argentina's lead. France, appearing sluggish and out of sorts, made two early substitutions in the 41st minute, replacing Dembélé and Olivier Giroud with Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram, a rare move in a World Cup Final.
Second half
Despite the halftime changes, Argentina largely maintained control for much of the second half, creating further chances and seemingly cruising towards victory. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the 80th minute when France was awarded a penalty after Nicolás Otamendi fouled Kolo Muani. Kylian Mbappé converted the spot-kick, reigniting French hopes. Just 97 seconds later, Mbappé struck again with a stunning volley from the edge of the box, following a quick one-two with Thuram, to level the score at 2-2. This rapid turnaround stunned Argentina and injected immense drama into the final minutes of normal time, with both teams pushing for a winner but ultimately failing to find one, sending the match into extra time (FIFA.com).
Extra time
Extra time continued the relentless pace and drama. Argentina regrouped and found another gear, with Messi once again at the heart of their attacking moves. In the 108th minute, Messi scored his second goal of the game, reacting quickest to a rebound after Lautaro Martínez's shot was saved by Lloris. The goal initially appeared to be the winner, but France refused to capitulate. In the 118th minute, a handball by Gonzalo Montiel in the penalty area resulted in another penalty for France. Mbappé stepped up and coolly converted his third goal, completing a remarkable hat-trick and levelling the score at 3-3, ensuring the final would be decided by a penalty shootout. Kolo Muani had a golden opportunity to win it for France in the dying seconds of extra time, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Emiliano Martínez, pushing the game to penalties.
Penalty shootout
The penalty shootout saw Argentina maintain their composure. Messi converted Argentina's first penalty, followed by Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes. Kingsley Coman had his penalty saved by Emiliano Martínez, and Aurélien Tchouaméni shot wide for France. Gonzalo Montiel then scored Argentina's fourth penalty, securing a 4-2 shootout victory and the FIFA World Cup title for Argentina.
Goals & key moments
The 2022 World Cup Final was punctuated by six goals and several decisive moments that altered the course of the match. Here is a breakdown:
| Minute | Scorer | Assist | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23' | Lionel Messi (ARG) | (Penalty) | Penalty | Messi converted a penalty after Ángel Di María was fouled by Ousmane Dembélé. |
| 36' | Ángel Di María (ARG) | Alexis Mac Allister | Open Play | Di María finished a swift counter-attack initiated by Mac Allister. |
| 80' | Kylian Mbappé (FRA) | (Penalty) | Penalty | Mbappé scored from the spot after Randal Kolo Muani was fouled by Nicolás Otamendi. |
| 81' | Kylian Mbappé (FRA) | Marcus Thuram | Open Play | Mbappé volleyed home from the edge of the box after a one-two with Thuram. |
| 108' | Lionel Messi (ARG) | Lautaro Martínez | Open Play | Messi reacted quickest to a rebound after Lloris saved Martínez's shot. |
| 118' | Kylian Mbappé (FRA) | (Penalty) | Penalty | Mbappé completed his hat-trick from the spot after Gonzalo Montiel's handball. |
| 120'+3 | Emiliano Martínez (ARG) | (Save) | Save | Martínez made a crucial save from Kolo Muani's shot in the final seconds of extra time. |
Aftermath & legacy
The immediate aftermath of the 2022 World Cup Final was marked by jubilation for Argentina and profound disappointment for France. Argentina's victory sparked nationwide celebrations, culminating in a triumphant parade in Buenos Aires that drew millions of fans (FIFA.com). For Lionel Messi, the win completed his career, securing the one major trophy that had eluded him and solidifying his standing as one of football's greatest players. His emotional embrace of the trophy and the subsequent celebrations became iconic images, symbolizing the culmination of a legendary career.
Impact on France and Mbappé
For France, the defeat was a bitter pill, preventing them from achieving back-to-back World Cup titles. Despite the loss, Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick in the final further cemented his status as a global superstar and a future contender for individual accolades. His performance showcased his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, even in defeat, and positioned him as a central figure for France's future campaigns. The team's resilience in coming back twice from a deficit highlighted their mental fortitude, despite ultimately falling short.
A Legacy of Drama and Brilliance
The match itself is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling and dramatic finals in World Cup history. Its back-and-forth nature, the individual brilliance of Messi and Mbappé, and the tension of the penalty shootout contributed to a spectacle that captivated audiences worldwide (The Guardian). The final is remembered not just for Argentina's victory, but for the sheer entertainment value and the indelible performances of its star players.
Why this match matters
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final holds significant importance for multiple reasons, transcending a mere football match. It delivered the definitive moment in Lionel Messi's career, crowning him a World Cup champion and fulfilling a long-standing narrative in the sport. The match also showcased the extraordinary talent of Kylian Mbappé, whose hat-trick in a final etched his name into the tournament's record books and solidified his status as a generational player. Beyond individual achievements, the final was a testament to the unpredictable and dramatic nature of football, offering a game that swung wildly and kept viewers engaged until the very last kick. It epitomized the pinnacle of athletic competition and emotional stakes.
"It was a game that will be eternal, it will be remembered forever. It was the greatest World Cup final in history." – Lionel Scaloni, Argentina Manager (FIFA.com)