Lusail, Qatar- Football fans around the world are calling this “the best World Cup Final ever,” with France and Argentina facing off in Lusail Stadium for the culmination of the 64 total games in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

The first half was dominated by Argentina, with Lionel Messi and Angel Di María scoring one goal each for their country. France had zero shots on goal and only 41% possession in the first 45 minutes of the game.

The tables turned completely for the reigning champs in the second half. France won the World Cup final in 2018, beating Croatia 4-2. Star forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice in just 90 seconds in the final ten minutes of the game. The score at 90 minutes was Argentina 2-2 France.

The game went into overtime, with Messi scoring a goal and then Mbappé scoring ten minutes later, the second time in history a hat-trick has been earned in a World Cup Final, with the previous being scored in 1966 by England’s Geoff Hurst. At the end of overtime, the score was tied once again, meaning it was time for a tense shootout to determine the winners of the 2022 World Cup. 

In a shootout that had the world at the edge of their seats, Argentina made four in a row and France made one, missed two, and made a second. This meant Argentina would take home the solid gold trophy. 

The victory held great meaning for all of Argentina, who recently lost football star Diego Maradona on November 25th of this year. Some say Messi emulated the spirit of Maradona as he carried their country to victory.