By Habeeb Kuranga
In what is arguably the best edition so far in the 92- year-history of the world cup. Right from when it was known as the Jules Rimet Trophy (1930-1970), till present.
Argentina are yet again, the champions of the world after a thrilling, exciting, surprisng, high octane and incredible seismic fixture against France.
The Albiceleste raced through a two goal lead at half time. Goals from Lionel Messi from the spot and Angel Di Maria from close range ensured Argentina were comfortable in the first half.
The Les Bleus of France through Mbappe pegged one back from the spot before Mbappe himself got another when he blazed the ball past Emi Martinez to the top right corner. It took France just 97 seconds to hit two goals and forced the game into extra time.
During the 30 minutes of extra time, Argentina’s captain, Messi hit a rebound into an empty net after France’s goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris saved an audacious effort from Lautaro Martinez.
Pressure from France finally paid off as Mbappe hit the ball at goal but Montiel’s handled the ball in the 18-yard box which made the man in the middle, Marciniak to point to the spot. Mbappe made no mistake from the spot as he slotted the ball past Emi Martinez.
Mbappe became the second player ever to score a hattrick in a world cup final. The first being the legendary Sir Geoff Hurst in the 1966 world cup final when England defeated West Germany by 4 goals to 2.
The match went straight into penalty shootout as both sides were not separated after extra time. The Albiceleste won the penalty shootout 4-2, all thanks to an Emi Martinez saves from Kingsley Coman Aurilien Tchoameni shooting just inches wide from the goalpost.
Paris St Germain and Argentina’s talismanic forward, Lionel Messi finally won the Mundial after the 2014 heartbreak in Brazil. And ultimately wrote his name in football immortality.
