Argentina won its third World Cup, and its first since 1986, beating defending champions 4-2 in penalties.
Doha, Qatar: After Argentina’s victory over defending World Cup champions France, Argentine talisman Lionel Messi has announced he will continue to play football for Argentina after securing the 2022 FIFA World Cup title.
“No, I’m not going to retire from the Argentina national team,” he told TyC Sports, as quoted by Goal.com. “I want to continue playing as a champion.” The Argentina legend also said he had a feeling he was going to win the tournament this time around.
In an intensely fought final on Sunday, Deccemer 18, in what was being predicted as Messi’s last game, Argentina came out victorious. After finishing all square at the end of the second half of extra time, Argentina won the final 4-2 on penalties.
Argentina won the World Cup on Sunday after beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties, following a dramatic 3-3 draw after extra time.
Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to give Argentina their first world title since 1986, and third overall.
France had come from two goals down to level over 90 minutes with Kylian Mbappe netting twice in two minutes, including an 80th-minute penalty.
The France striker completed his hat-trick in the 118th with another spot-kick after Argentina’s Lionel Messi had tapped in for a 3-2 lead in the 109th.
Argentina had gone 2-0 up in the first half with Messi, making a record-breaking 26th World Cup appearance, converting a 23rd-minute penalty.
Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, the honour given to the best player of a FIFA World Cup, after a thrilling final at Lusail. He has ended up as the second-highest goal scorer in the tournament after France’s Kylian Mbappe.
The 35-year-old has been in top form throughout the entire FIFA World Cup this year. He was, scoring crucial goals, converting penalties and setting up openings for his teammates to score in every game.
Argentina’s ambassador to India HJ Gobbi was visibly jubilant late on Sunday evening after his country’s win over France in the FIFA World Cup final.
Fans celebrated Argentina’s win at an event organised by Argentina’s embassy at a hotel in New Delhi.
“It is an emotional moment. I hope this is not Messi’s last World Cup, I want to see another one,” said the Argentine Ambassador,
Hundreds of fans erupted in celebrations on the streets of Kolkata after Messi entered folklore with Argentina’s historic win.
Swarms of Argentina and Messi fans gathered at the Shree Bhoomi Sporting Club in Bidhannagar to watch the World Cup final.
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