Sports

Qatar 2022: Argentina Dethrones France, Victorious After Penalties

Argentina and Lionel Messi became the 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Sunday evening at the Lusail Iconic Stadium after a battling 4-2 win on penalties against France reports Prime Business Africa.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were the stars of both sides in what will go down as one of the most enthralling World Cup finals which ended 3-3 after a pulsating 120 minutes of extra time.

Didier Deschamps looked to become only the second manager to win two separate World Cups, and he made two changes to the side that beat Morocco on Wednesday.

The final was the eleventh World Cup final competed between a South American and European nation; South American sides lifted the trophy on seven of the previous 10 occasions. However, Argentina are responsible for two of the three such defeats (against Germany in 1990 and 2014), while France are responsible for the other win (3-0 v Brazil in 1998).

Ousmane Dembele’s controversial foul on Angel Di Maria culminated in a penalty for Argentina.

Lionel Messi stepped up and tucked the ball perfectly into the net.

Dayot Upamecano lost possession of the ball leading to a quickfire counterattack. Messi flicked the ball brilliantly onto the path of Mac Allister who unselfishly found Angel Di Maria.

The PSG forward let fly a first time shot that nestled into the far bottom corner. At this time it seemed the Albeceleste were cruising to the title.

France however reduced the arreas in the 80th minute when Kylian Mbappe converted from the penalty spot after Kolo Muani was brought down in the box by Nicolas Otamendi.

Mbappe a minute later then restored parity when he turned and on a half volley unleashed an unstoppable volley beyond the reach of Emi Martinez.

Messi had a chance to win it for Argentina in added time but his powerful shot from long range was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris.

The game went into extra time. Messi again scored and Mbappe responded with the game ending 3-3 after 120 minutes of football.

Argentina ultimately won the match 4-2 on penalties.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc. In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio. He worked there for 13 years until October 2017. Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch. He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations. Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line. Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.