How Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup
A World Cup that began with shock and ended with history Live Events A true squad effort all the way to the title The World
A World Cup that began with shock and ended with history Live Events A true squad effort all the way to the title The World Cup final that had four different stories in one game Messi stayed calm as Argentina won the penalty shootout Lionel Messi finally completed football Kylian Mbappe's unforgettable performance was overshadowed Why the Argentina vs France final is still regarded as the greatest World Cup final as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As Lionel Messi prepares for another shot at FIFA World Cup glory in 2026, football fans continue to look back at the unforgettable night that completed his legendary career.On December 18, 2022, Argentina defeated France in one of the greatest FIFA World Cup finals ever played. The match had everything—moments of brilliance, a dramatic comeback, extra-time goals, a penalty shootout and a goalkeeper's save that changed football history.After 120 unforgettable minutes ended 3-3, Argentina held their nerve to win the penalty shootout 4-2, lifting the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986 and giving Messi the only major title that had eluded him throughout his glittering career.Argentina's road to the title was anything but straightforward.Lionel Scaloni's side suffered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history when Saudi Arabia defeated them 2-1 in the opening match. Suddenly, every remaining game became a knockout contest.Scaloni responded by constantly reshaping his team. Argentina switched formations several times during the tournament, moving between a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and even a 5-3-2 depending on the opposition.The tactical flexibility became one of Argentina's greatest strengths.Young midfielder Enzo Fernandez emerged as a key figure after not starting the opening matches.
Alexis Mac Allister cemented his place in midfield, while Julian Alvarez replaced Lautaro Martinez up front and provided the relentless pressing and movement that perfectly complemented Messi's creativity.By the time the final arrived, Argentina looked like a completely different team from the one that had stumbled against Saudi Arabia.Argentina's World Cup triumph wasn't built around one player alone.Scaloni used 24 different players during the tournament, with only reserve goalkeepers Franco Armani and Geronimo Rulli not seeing any minutes on the field.The introduction of five substitutions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup allowed every member of the squad to contribute, making Argentina's victory one of the strongest examples of collective teamwork in recent tournament history.The final against France unfolded like four separate matches.Argentina started brilliantly.Scaloni made one of the boldest decisions of the tournament by bringing Angel Di Maria back into the starting lineup after injury. Instead of deploying him on his usual right wing, he placed him on the left.The move transformed the game.Di Maria's dribble forced Ousmane Dembele into conceding a penalty, which Messi calmly converted.Not long afterwards, Di Maria finished a flowing team move at the far post to double Argentina's lead.At 2-0, France looked completely overwhelmed.For nearly 45 minutes, Argentina controlled the match.France coach Didier Deschamps made two first-half substitutions in an attempt to change the momentum, but Argentina remained composed and appeared to be cruising towards the title.Then everything changed.Out of nowhere, France came alive.Substitute Randal Kolo Muani won a penalty, and Kylian Mbappe converted to make it 2-1.Just one minute later, Mbappe combined with Marcus Thuram before firing home a stunning volley.Within 120 seconds, France had erased Argentina's two-goal lead.The World Cup final had been turned on its head.The final entered extra time with tension at its highest.Messi appeared to have won the World Cup when he scored his second goal of the night to restore Argentina's lead.But Mbappe refused to surrender.The French superstar completed his remarkable hat-trick by converting another penalty, making it 3-3 and becoming only the second player in history to score three goals in a men's World Cup final.Every attack looked capable of producing the winning goal.
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