By Eniola Olatunji ( Ace sports writer)
Argentina historically defeated defending world cup champions France in a rare game of death that would have made anyone prone to high blood pressure as the first world cup final to be settled by penalties drew weeping, sympathy, joy and ecstatic celebration as hopes and aspirations were equally dashed. Truly, this was a unique pulsating match that made losers and victors weep with fans standing like street lamps wondering what they saw. Argentina 4 France 2 after the 3-3 Extra Time was the score.
Argentina got the first half easily playing the French around cutting off the brilliant dribble runs of Star boy Kylian Mbappe and the marvelous crosses of Olivier Giroud.
Lionel Messi who fulfilled the dream of lifting the only trophy that had eluded his football career, the world cup slotted in the first goal from a penalty kick in the 23rd minute that emerged his 6th penalty kick at the Qatar world cup where he missed one and his first ever goal in a world cup grand finale.
Then came Angel Di Maria from the left wing who had scored for Argentina in every final he played for Argentina in any competition as a connect between Messi and Alexis Mac Allister found him unmarked in his position in 36th minute for the second goal to Argentina.
As the first half ended football pundits were discussing what could have befallen France for the unfanciful performance. France had never experienced being scored against first at any world cup final They had beaten Brazil 3-0 at France 98 where Zidane scored a brace. In 2006 they scored first and in 2018 scored the lead goal against Croatia but in Qatar it was great suspense. Mbappe had scored a brace in the France versus Argentina 4-3 encounter at Russia 2018.
Many big Journalists’ platforms in Nigeria, NEWSPOT.NG and Global Broadcasters’ Forum had predicted massive win for Argentina.
On resumption of the second half, wonders began, Nicolas Otamendi had pushed Randal Kolo Muanji who replaced Dembele in the first half for a penalty which Mbappe tucked in neatly in the 80th minute. That goal set the Lusail Iconic Stadium on fire as France woke from a deep slumber. Just a minute later, 81st minute, son of former France football, icon Lilian Thuram bulky Marcus lobbed a pass to Mbappe who kicked into the net without funfair for a great equalizer. 2-2 the score board read and that change the entire game. Every move was henceforth contested for. Noise took over neighborhoods and wives were matured enough not to call the Police.
Then came the extra time. Messi again drew the first blood pouncing on a loose ball in 109th minute to score but the wonder boy of French football who in Russia won the young players award, Kylian Mbappe again struck the equalizer via penalty in 118th minute after Gonzalo Montiel had handled the ball in the box. The Argentines protested but the Polish Ref Marcinak ignored it. Match after Extra time was 3-3.
Argentina scored many points from the first half as she chalked total 10-5 shots on target; 7-2 off target shots; were so rough with 26-19 fouls which resulted in 5-3 yellow cards. Argentina was quick at counter attacks having 7-2 of such; but France had 13 -6 goal kicks from sauntering shots but for Spurs Goalkeeper. Hugo Lloris who made 7 saves France would have ‘collected’.
Polish Szyman Marcinak (41) is the first polish Ref ever to handle a world cup final, assisted on VAR by Venezuelan Juan Soko. The Polish Ref was not available for major competitions before because he was diagnosed with Tachycardia problem which is abnormal fast breathing conditions in 2020. He was in charge in France 2 Denmark 1 group stage match and Argentina 2 Australia 1 round of 16 matches.
Time for penalty shootouts, France was to start the kicks. Kylian Mbappe scored his; Kingsley Coman lost his; Tchouamou lost his and Kolo Mouani scored his. Argentina scored all her 4 penalty kicks from Messi; Paulo Dyabala; Leandro Parades and Gonazalo Montiel in that order. Argentina won the 2022 Qatar world cup on Penalties, the team that lost her first match to Saudi Arabia 1-2.
Check this information:
*Messi aged 35 who was in his 26th tournament appearance with a Silver medal in 2014 and had announced his last appearance left with the world cup title. The first title he won for Argentina was 2005 U20 world Cup where Argentina beat Nigeria 2-0 and Messi messed up Nigeria and their Captain Mikel Obi and Taye Taiwo all winning awards then.
*France would have become the third country to have won the trophy back to back. Brazil did in 1958 and 1962; Italy won in 1934 and 1938. France and any other team including Argentina will queue again.
*France Coach, Didier Deschamps would have been the second coach in history to lead his side to consecutive world cup after Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo.
*France Captain and Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris would have become the first captain to lift the world cup twice and consecutively.
*Before this final, there was this information in our file that total goalkeeper saves were Lloris of France 10 and Emiliano Martinez of Argentina 5; Highest goal assists came from Griezmann with 21 and Lionel Messi 18; Messi was the man to be fouled upon receiving 20 bashing while Theo Fernandez having 10 and lastly Otamendi became the highest hatchet man committing 11 fouls while Rabiot was next to him with 7.
To get to the final, Argentina the challenger here had lost their first match to Saudi Arabia 0-2; beaten Mexico 2-0; whipped Poland 2-0 at the group stages then piped Australia 2-1 at the round of 16 but in the quarterfinal drew 2-2 with Netherlands before winning on penalties 4-2 and then trounced Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals. They played 6 matches; drew 1; and lost 1 scoring 12 goals and conceding 7. Argentina had three clean slates (not conceding a goal at all in a match) against Mexico, Poland and Croatia meaning the country has a good defence and capable goalkeeper which France have to beat.
France walloped Australia 4-1; beat Denmark 2-1; but lost to Tunisia by a lone goal at the group stages; Poland was pulled down 3-1 at the round of 16 matches; almighty Samba boys of Brazil were sent home to a stone throwing reception 2-1 in the quarterfinal; then Morocco fell like a pack of cards 2-0 in the semifinal. France played 6 matches; won 5; lost 1; scored 13 goals and conceded 5. It shows France is a good scoring team but the one goal each conceded in five of the six matches shows they are constantly leaking at the defence. What is the guarantee two goals may not be scored by Argentina with a magical Messi and the South Americans will park the train not the bus and wait for final whistle. A goal well defended can win the coveted trophy.
Thus Argentina ranked 3 is in her 6th appearance in a world cup final being there in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014 and now 2022 but winning only twice in 1978 and 1986. They were Bronze medalists in Peru 1978 and Serbia 2006; 4th placed four times in 1934; 1958; 1962 and 2002 while they played quarter final in 1965, 1998, 2006 and 2010 in South Africa. They need this cup badly because it is the last their talisman, Messi will be playing. On Sunday is the world cup final.
France does not have great records like Argentina though they are ranked 4th. France won the trophy while hosting in 1998 and at Russia 2018 and are desperate to join Brazil and Italy who were back to back winners before. Brazil won in 1958 beating Sweden 5-2 and in 1962 when they trashed Czechoslovakia 3-1. That feat was 60 years ago. So France wants to join the Global Elite Team.
The Head to head list is long but I choose to list from 6th June 1978 when Argentina beat France 2-1 at group stage; France won 2-0 on 26th March 1986; France lost 0-1 on the 7th of February 2007; lost again 0-2 on 11th February 2007 and at their last meeting which was a round of 16 encounter on 30th June 2018 at Russia world cup won by France Mbappe scored a brace to send Argentina out 4-3.
Thus Lionel Messi clad in a special coat of Arabian colors specially put on Him by the Qatari King lifted the 18 Carat cup after 1986 when Diego Maradona last lifted it for Argentina so that the magical Messi can retire in peace.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
FifaworldcupQatar2022.
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