At the age of 35 and in the last bullet of his career, Leo Messi won the trophy he so longed for: the World Cup. In a final where Argentina shook all the certainties of France to leave Didier Deschamps’s team without any kind of response until the 79th minute of the second half, the ’10’ was the executor in charge of launching the controversial penalty that Ángel Di María forced on Ousmane Dembélé. The Albiceleste captain did not hesitate and beat Hugo Lloris from 11 meters in the 23rd minute. Just 14 minutes later, Ángel Di María, the best player in the final in Qatar, would culminate a lightning transition. When it seemed that the final would be for Argentina, an absurd penalty from Otamendi on Kolo Muani made the game turn 180 degrees. There the game stopped making any kind of sense.
Kylian Mbappé did not miss the maximum penalty and just a minute later, he scored an extraordinary volley to tie the game in the 82nd minute. In extra time, Leo Messi saved Lautaro Martínez’s career by picking up the missed goal by the Inter Milan striker and send it into the back of the net in minute 109. When it seemed that everything was decided, a penalty from Montiel for a handball in minute 116 caused Mbappé to score his third goal of the afternoon. Dibu Martínez saved a clear chance from Muani and at 123′, Lautaro missed just a header in the area. Mbappé overflowed the entire Argentine defense in the last play of the match… and was left without shooting by millimeters.
The final would be decided from the penalty spot. France decided to launch first and Mbappé, like the true leaders, scored the maximum penalty that opened the can. The third in the afternoon. For Argentina it was Messi’s turn. He deceived Lloris with incredible coldness. Coman launched and Dibu Martínez, as had already happened against the Netherlands, saved the French winger’s penalty. Dybala also sent the ball into the back of the net. Tchouaméni also failed by trying to adjust his shot too much. Paredes scored and transferred all the pressure to the French players. Kolo Muani did not hesitate with a straight missile. Montiel shot and scored. Argentina is world champion again almost 40 years later.
Santiago de la Peña
