France loses to Argentina in penalty kicks

• Argentina beat France on penalty kicks.
• Lionel Messi’s World Cup glory came Sunday.
• The teams were tied 3-3 after extra time.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup glory came Sunday when Argentina beat France on penalty kicks.

The teams were tied 3-3 after extra time, and the French missed twice in the shootout before Gonzalo Montiel won.

Argentina led 2-0 with 10 minutes left, but Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France. In extra time, both teams missed chances and scored late goals before penalty kicks.

The game capped a month of sports and geopolitical drama in Qatar. The tournament had surprise results and fairy-tale runs, but the final featured two stars.

Mbappé scored a hat trick as France nearly became the first team to back-to-back since Brazil in 1962.

Messi, 35, secured a third title for his soccer-mad country, cementing his status as the game’s greatest player.

He said he’s not finished.

“I won’t quit the national team.” Messi said after the final, “I want to keep winning.” “It’s gorgeous.”

Lionel Messi won the tournament’s Golden Ball.

Messi kissed the World Cup after winning.

Lionel Messi’s teammates mobbed him after the winning kick, knowing he can finally rest easy.

Despite being a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and member of 10 Spanish League and 4 UEFA Champions League-winning teams, Argentine fans held his missing World Cup trophy against him.

Messi’s side won Copa America last year, but fans weren’t satisfied until Sunday.

Argentina beat France to win its first title since 1986.

Sunday’s final was a battle of wills until Argentina ended France’s hopes for a consecutive win in penalty kicks.

Two first-half goals gave Argentina the lead. France was outplayed, but rallied in the second half and extra time.

Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain, won his first World Cup in what may be his last appearance. Fans debate whether Messi is the greatest ever.

But France’s Kylian Mbappé tied the game twice. Three goals and a penalty kick earned the 23-year-old the Golden Boot.

Finally. 💙#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/IkXSwPx7WW

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 18, 2022

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