Argentina vs France

Lore & Background

The 2022 final was the first time since 1998 that the title holders qualified for the subsequent final. France aimed to become the third country to successfully defend a World Cup title, after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962. Argentina won their third World Cup, their first since 1986, and became the second team to win the tournament after losing their opening match, following Spain in 2010.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Azteca was thick with humidity and anticipation. Maradona stood over the ball, eyes fixed on the French defense that had dominated Europe for years. He received a pass near midfield, shielding it from a tackle. The crowd roared as he began his run, dribbling past defender after defender in a blur of blue and white stripes. For ninety minutes, one man carried the weight of a nation against the might of the world's best organized team.

Reader's Guide

The 2022 final was played at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on 18 December 2022. Argentina took a 2–0 lead through Lionel Messi (penalty) and Ángel Di María. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in 97 seconds to level the match. In extra time, Messi scored again, but Mbappé equalized with a second penalty, becoming the second male player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Argentina won the penalty shoot-out 4–2.

Did You Know?

• The 2022 final was watched by a record 1.5 billion people on television.
• Kylian Mbappé became the second male player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, after Geoff Hurst in 1966.
• France became the first team in history to score three goals in a World Cup final and lose.
• Lionel Messi became the first player to win a second World Cup Golden Ball, having previously won it in 2014.