Argentina vs France 2022: Why It Was One of the Greatest World Cup Finals Ever Played

 

Discover why the Argentina vs France FIFA World Cup 2022 final is considered one of football’s greatest matches, featuring Messi, Mbappé, six goals, extra time and penalties.

On 18 December 2022, Argentina and France produced a FIFA World Cup final that felt more like a football movie than a real match. It had legendary players, sudden comebacks, six goals, extra time, a last-second save and a penalty shootout.

Argentina eventually defeated France 4–2 on penalties after the match finished 3–3 following extra time. Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup for the first time, while Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick and still finished on the losing side.

Many World Cup finals are remembered because of one goal, one mistake or one great player. The 2022 final had all of those things—and much more. It constantly changed direction and kept millions of viewers uncertain until the final penalty.

That is why Argentina versus France is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic and greatest football matches ever played.

A Final Filled With Historic Pressure

Before the match began, both teams were chasing major history.

Argentina had not won the World Cup since Diego Maradona inspired the country to victory in 1986. France had won the previous tournament in 2018 and was attempting to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the men’s World Cup.

The match also placed two global superstars against each other.

Messi was 35 years old and playing in his fifth World Cup. He had won almost every major trophy in football, but the World Cup was still missing from his career. Mbappé, only 23, had already won the competition once and was trying to lead France to another title.

This made the final feel like more than Argentina against France. It also felt like a contest between two football generations: the established legend seeking the final achievement of his career and the young superstar trying to take control of the sport’s future.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé during the Argentina versus France 2022 World Cup final

Argentina Completely Controlled the First Half

Argentina started the match with greater energy, confidence and tactical discipline.

Ángel Di María caused serious problems on the left side. In the 21st minute, Ousmane Dembélé challenged Di María inside the penalty area, and the referee awarded Argentina a penalty.

Messi calmly scored in the 23rd minute to give Argentina the lead.

The second goal arrived in the 36th minute after a brilliant team move. Argentina quickly passed the ball through midfield before Alexis Mac Allister delivered it to Di María, who finished past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

It was one of the best counterattacking goals scored in a World Cup final.

Argentina led 2–0 and appeared completely comfortable. France struggled so badly that manager Didier Deschamps substituted Olivier Giroud and Dembélé before halftime.

For around 70 minutes, France offered very little attacking threat. Argentina looked faster, stronger and more organised. The trophy seemed to be moving closer to Messi’s hands.

Mbappé Changed Everything in 97 Seconds

The final appeared almost finished until France suddenly came alive.

In the 79th minute, Randal Kolo Muani moved behind Argentina’s defence and was brought down by Nicolás Otamendi. France received a penalty, and Mbappé scored to reduce Argentina’s lead to 2–1.

Only moments later, the match changed again.

Mbappé played a quick combination with Marcus Thuram before striking a beautiful first-time volley into the bottom corner. France had scored twice in approximately 97 seconds.

Argentina’s comfortable 2–0 advantage had disappeared. The score was now 2–2, the French supporters were alive, and Argentina suddenly looked shocked.

This was the moment when the final went from an important match to an unforgettable one. France had been close to defeat, yet one player completely transformed the contest within two minutes.

Mbappé’s second goal was not only technically brilliant. It also carried enormous emotional force. Argentina went from believing it had already won to fighting for survival.

Extra Time Brought Even More Drama

Neither team scored again during normal time, so the final continued into extra time.

Both sides were exhausted, but they continued attacking. France created chances, Argentina responded, and the match became increasingly open.

In the 108th minute, Messi scored again.

Lautaro Martínez’s shot was blocked by Lloris, but Messi reacted quickly and pushed the rebound over the line. Jules Koundé cleared it, but the ball had already crossed the goal line.

Argentina led 3–2, and once again it seemed that Messi had delivered the winning moment.

France refused to surrender.

In the 116th minute, Mbappé’s shot struck Gonzalo Montiel’s arm inside the penalty area. Another penalty was awarded, and Mbappé scored again.

His third goal completed only the second hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final, following Geoff Hurst’s achievement for England in 1966. The score was 3–3.

Kylian Mbappé celebrates scoring against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final

Emiliano Martínez’s Last-Second Save

Even after six goals, the match still had one more unforgettable moment.

During the final seconds of extra time, France launched the ball forward. Kolo Muani found himself through on goal with only Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in front of him.

It was a chance that could have won the World Cup for France.

Kolo Muani struck the ball strongly, but Martínez spread his body and blocked the shot with his left leg.

The save has become one of the most important in World Cup history. Had Martínez reacted slightly later, France would probably have won the match 4–3. Instead, Argentina survived and the final moved to penalties.

It was a perfect example of why football matches are decided by more than goals. A single goalkeeper’s reaction changed the history of two nations.

Argentina Hold Their Nerve in the Shootout

The penalty shootout brought another level of pressure.

Mbappé scored France’s first penalty, while Messi calmly converted for Argentina. Martínez then saved Kingsley Coman’s attempt, and Aurélien Tchouaméni sent France’s next penalty wide.

Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes scored for Argentina. Kolo Muani kept France alive, but Montiel converted Argentina’s fourth penalty to complete a 4–2 shootout victory.

Argentina were world champions for the third time, adding the 2022 title to their victories in 1978 and 1986. It was also the country’s first World Cup triumph in 36 years.

Messi Finally Completed His Career

The victory gave Messi the one major trophy that had been missing from his career.

He scored twice in the final, converted his penalty in the shootout and received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. He finished the competition with seven goals and played a decisive role throughout Argentina’s journey.

For many supporters, winning the World Cup strengthened Messi’s claim to be considered the greatest footballer of all time.

The image of him lifting the trophy became one of the defining sporting photographs of the modern era.

However, the final was not only Messi’s story.

Mbappé Was Brilliant Even in Defeat

Mbappé delivered one of the greatest individual performances ever seen in a World Cup final.

He scored three times during the match and converted his penalty in the shootout. His eight goals across the tournament earned him the Golden Boot as the competition’s leading scorer.

Most players would be remembered forever after scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Yet Mbappé still walked away without the trophy.

That contrast made the final even more emotional. One superstar completed his lifelong dream, while another produced an almost impossible performance and still experienced defeat.

Why This Final Was So Special

The 2022 World Cup final had everything that makes football powerful.

It had tactical quality, individual brilliance, emotional pressure, unexpected mistakes and repeated changes in momentum. Argentina controlled the first 70 minutes. France scored twice in two minutes. Messi restored Argentina’s lead. Mbappé equalised again. Martínez made a historic save, and the championship was finally decided through penalties.

The match was also meaningful beyond the score.

It represented Messi’s final search for the World Cup, Mbappé’s rise as the next global superstar, Argentina’s return to football’s highest position and France’s brave attempt to defend its title.

Many great matches contain one unforgettable chapter. This final contained several.

Final Thoughts

Argentina versus France was more than a great World Cup final. It was a complete demonstration of why football is the world’s most popular sport.

For almost three hours, the match moved between confidence, fear, hope, heartbreak and celebration. Every time the result appeared decided, another dramatic moment changed the story.

Argentina won the trophy, Messi completed his career, Mbappé created history and football supporters witnessed a final that may never be repeated in exactly the same way.

That is why the 2022 FIFA World Cup final deserves to be remembered as one of the most dramatic, emotional and greatest football matches ever played.