Lionel Messi finally captured the one accomplishment that had eluded him for the entirety of his brilliant career: a World Cup victory.
In what was likely his fifth and final World Cup–and in his record-setting 26th game appearance at the World Cup, Messi led Argentina to a win over France in an unforgettable final in Lusail, Qatar. After clinging to a 2–0 lead through the first 80 minutes of the match, La Albiceleste yielded two goals to the French in a matter of two minutes, eventually sending the game into extra time. Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé then each scored in the extra period, sending the match to penalty kicks at 3–3.
Argentina was perfect in the penalty shootout, downing France 4–2 to claim the country’s third World Cup championship and first since 1986.
