Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Qatar World Cup: Fairytale ending for Messi – Argentina beat France in penalty shootout

Qatar World Cup: Fairytale ending for Messi – Argentina beat France in penalty shootout

One of the most exciting World Cup finals of all time saw France come back from 2-0 down against Argentina before finally falling in a penalty shootout.

Argentina have won the World Cup after a thrilling match which saw them take the lead and then lose it again twice before winning a penalty shootout, in what is already being described as one of the greatest finals in history.

It was a special moment for Lionel Messi, who finally won the biggest prize in football, and heartbreak for his club teammate Kylian Mbappe whose hat-trick was not enough to see France triumph.

Messi was crowned player of the tournament for his role in bringing World Cup glory to his country - the first time Argentina had won the trophy since Diego Maradona scored his infamous "hand of God" on the way to winning the 1986 competition.


Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Boot award

The genius forward has scored 793 goals for club and country, but his cool finishes in the final in Qatar may be the sweetest of his career.

The win elevates him into a similar league as Maradona - who won the World Cup only once, but is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, in part because he scored the "goal of the century" against England in the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter final - and Pele, a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe scored three goals - two from the penalty spot and again in the shootout - as France came from 2-0 and again from 3-2 down during the match.

His hat-trick emulated the historic triple by England's Sir Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup final - the only other player ever to do so.

It made him the top scorer in the tournament, the Golden Boot winner.

Despite a heavy dose of Mbappe magic, France were unable to overcome the heroics of Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez.

The Aston Villa goalie - known for his penalties prowess - saved a shot from Kingsley Coman and watched Aurelien Tchouameni fire wide as Argentina ultimately prevailed.

The South American side took the lead half-way through the first half, after a foul in the box by France winger Ousmane Dembele led to Messi scoring his sixth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot.


Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with fans and fellow players after receiving the World Cup trophy


Later, a thrilling counter-attack down the right flank through Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister to feed Angel Di Maria, who scored Argentina's second.

France pulled back a goal after a foul on Kolo Muani led to another penalty, which was slotted home by Kylian Mbappe.

Just 90 seconds later, it was Mbappe again, putting France level with a stunning volley.


France's President Emmanuel Macron conforts France's Kylian Mbappe at the end of the World Cup final.


The score was 2-2 after full-time forcing an extra 30 minutes of play to decide the result.

In extra-time, Messi scored again, knocking in on the rebound, despite Kounde's efforts to clear off the line.

Mbappe then drew France level again with a penalty with just minutes to go in extra time, sending the game to a penalty shootout.

On to penalties and it was Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez's moment of glory, saving one shot and seeing another go wide.

Argentina's Lionel Messi is surrounded by fellow players, fans and photographers as his team celebrates


In the end, Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties.

With his two goals and successful penalty in the shootout, Messi's win was crowned by taking the play of the tournament award, the Golden Ball.

Afterwards, Messi told reporters: "I knew God would bring this gift to me, I had the feeling that this World Cup was the one.

"It took so long, but here it is. We suffered a lot, but we managed to do it. Can't wait to be in Argentina to witness the insanity of this."

France's Kylian Mbappe poses with his Golden Boot award during the award ceremony after the match


It wrapped up what had been one of the most controversial World Cups in history - with pretournament rows raging over the treatment of migrant workers, LGBT+ rights and the shift of the tournament to winter to avoid the baking summer heat.

The end of the World Cup in Qatar starts the countdown to the next World Cup finals, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada - the first time the tournament will have been co-hosted since Japan and South Korea in 2002.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×