Argentina vs France FIFA World Cup highlights: Messi gets his hands on the coveted trophy, ARG are world champions

FIFA World Cup 2022 Final highlights, Argentina vs France: Argentina won the penalty shootout after one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time ended in a 3-3 draw.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Final highlights, Argentina vs France: The Lusail Stadium hosted what will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, World Cup finals of all time. Argentina were cruising for much of the match, until Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty and scored a sensational equaliser to force the game into extra-time. That led to more insane football as chances flew around at both ends. Messi scored late in the second-half of extra time to seemingly win it for Argentina, only for them to concede a penalty mere seconds later. The flawless Mbappe converted that as well, thus becoming the first player since 1966 to score a hat-trick in the final of a World Cup. And yet, he ended up on the losing side, with Argentina winning the penalty shootout. Messi finally got his hands on the covetted World Cup trophy in what he said will be his last match in this tournament. 

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• Dec 19, 2022 12:13 AM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: LIONEL MESSI LIFTS THE 2022 WORLD CUP TROPHY

  He is handed the World Cup trophy by the Emir of Qatar and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and also made to wear a sort of a golden black robe. He doesn't care any about that, he cradles the World Cup trophy like a baby, then walks up to his teammates and finally, lifts that trophy. Messi has lifted the World Cup trophy. That monkey is off his back in what he has said is his last World Cup match. That is it from us for this match, that is it from us for this World Cup. There will be more to come of course from this epic of a match. We have been blessed and cursed here. Blessed because we got to see this slugfest, cursed because no football game will possibly match up to this. Ciao!

• Dec 19, 2022 12:10 AM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: The Argentinians walk up

  The champions walk up, collect their medals, give the trophy a kiss and then walk along to join their teammates. They had to dig deep on so many occasions, right from bouncing back from one of the most shocking results in World Cup history, to surviving the most mind-boggling back and forth World Cup final of all time. Customary big cheers for Lionel Messi as his name is announced. 

• Dec 19, 2022 12:04 AM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: The French players collect their medals

  Argentina form a guard of honour for them before they go and collect their silver medals. Most of them take it off almost as soon as it is hung around their necks. There are some players in that squad who know what it is like to get the other medal on offer tonight but it is not to be for them to experience it again or for their teammates to experience it for the first time. But this nation is part of football royalty. They were ravaged by injuries coming into this World Cup and still reached the final with relative ease. Then they were ravaged by a virus in the immediate days before the final, were down and out for much of the match itself and somehow, somehow they came from 2-0 down, then they came back from 3-2 down. An extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players and their talisman, a generational talent in Kylian Mbappe. 

• Dec 19, 2022 12:01 AM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: Golden Ball goes to Lionel Messi

  He had got this award in 2014 as well remember, but this time he walks up to the podium beaming. He takes that award and then he provides the image that Argentina fans wanted to see for so many years, he kisses the World Cup trophy before posing for the cameras. That was only a teaser, imagine the noise in the stadium when he lifts that trophy. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:59 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: Golden Boot goes to Kylian Mbappe

  He has finished with eight goals. He walks up crestfallen, anything but happy to be collecting that award. There is no smile on his face as he poses for the cameras. There are some whistles that ring out first but then a wave of cheers for the 24-year-old superstar. What a player he is turning out to be and he gave what has to be the greatest performance by any player in a losing cause in the World Cup. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:56 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Presentation time

  First the referees get their mementos. And then Enzo Fernandez is awarded the Young Player of the Tournament award. After that comes the Golden Gloves for the goalkeeper of the tournament and that is Emiliano Martinez. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:46 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: The kids are on the pitch

  The players' families run on to the pitch. Messi shares a long hug with his kids. He is at peace at last. This was the one trophy that was missing from a cabinet in which there was every trinket that anybody could ever win in football, apart from the golden gloves awards that goalkeepers get of course. But this one would be more special than any other. Messi, the first player to lead Argentina to the World Cup title after Maradona. The great man is surely smiling from the heavens. He had called Messi his sucessor back when the latter was a young buck bursting on to the scene in Barcelona; Messi has arguably become more than that now. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:40 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: Hugs and kisses all over the pitch

  The Argentina players have glazed looks in their eyes. Messi can't walk more than four steps before being hugged by someone. Sergio Aguero, the Argentine stalwart who was forced to retire a year ago due to a heart ailment, is out on the pitch. Who can possibly stop him, he will always be part of this team and Messi's roommate. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:28 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Argentina are kings of the world!

  They all have tears in their eyes, Argentina have got smiles on their faces, France are thunderstruck. Spare a thought for Kylian Mbappe, he has become the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final, four goals if you count the kick taken amidst bone-crushing pressure in the penalty shootout. And yet, at the end of it all, he ends up on the losing side. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:25 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: MONTIEL SCORES, ARGENTINA WIN THE 2022 WORLD CUP!

  They have won the penalty shootout 4-2. Montiel takes his shirt off, he is burried by his teammates, Messi is on the ground. He has got the World Cup in his hands at last, at long, long, long last. The last time Argentina won the World Cup, Diego Maradona was their captain. Now it is Lionel Messi with the armband. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:24 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Kolo Muani scores

  France are still in it by the breadth of their hairs. ARG 3-2 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:23 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: PAREDES SCORES!

  It's sudden death now, ARG 3-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:22 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: Tchouameni MISSES!

  He takes hours to take the kick and when he does, he misses. Martinez does a jig. ARG 2-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:21 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Dybala scores

  Argentina have the lead now. ARG 2-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:21 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: MARTINEZ SAVES

  He has taken Coman's kick, ARG 1-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:20 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Messi scores

  As calm as it gets from the ARG captain, ARG 1-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:19 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: France to take the first kick

  Mbappe walks up, Emiliano Martinez in goal. He scores, ARG 0-1 FRA

• Dec 18, 2022 11:15 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: EXTRA TIME ENDS, PENALTIES IT IS!

  But that was not before a final Mbappe shot was deflected away. The referee calls an end to this slugfest after that, we go to penalties. Has there been a better finish than this to any World Cup?

• Dec 18, 2022 11:13 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS!

  This has to be the most extraorinary football match you must have ever seen. First Martinez with an unbelievable save to deny Kolo-Muani. The Argentina counter, Messi passes it to Lautaro Martinez and his shot is blocked. Oh the humanity!

• Dec 18, 2022 11:11 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: Three minutes of added time

  Argentina have brought on Dybala into this inexplicable madhouse that is this match for Tagliafico with an eye on penalties. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:07 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: MBAPPE HAT-TRICK! 3-3

  118 mins: Not Pele, not Maradona, not Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe is the second player ever, the first since Geoff Hurst in 1966, to score a World Cup final hat-trick. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:06 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: PENALTY FOR FRANCE!

  Nope, this final just doesn't give up! Hand ball inside the box by an Argentine player. It's all a blur now. 

• Dec 18, 2022 11:01 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: 110 mins gone, Argentina 3-2 France

  He has scored thousands but the one that would be most valuable to him in his life surely will be the scruffiest of them all. Messi releases Martinez on the right and the latter takes a shot at the near post. Lloris saves, but the rebound falls to Messi, of all people. He turns it in, Upamecano clears it but not before the ball has crossed the line. Is this it? IS THIS IT? 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:58 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: GOAL! ARGENTINA LEAD AGAIN!

  109 mins: Messi turns it in! It is just over the line and Argentina celebrate again. Is this the last time a team celebrates in this match? 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:57 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: Second half is up and running

  Is there a goal here?

• Dec 18, 2022 10:53 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Half time in extra time!

  But Lautaro Martinez had another gold coated chance to score, only to be brilliantly denied by Upamecano in the last second. Both sides have had brilliant chances, probably Argentina more so because of those two late shots but Upamecano would probably regard those blocks as two goals themselves, as he should and France as well. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:51 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: CHANCES FOR ARGENTINA!

  104 mins: First Messi gets the ball into the box after a fantastic one-two with Mac Allister, who puts the ball to the left for Martinez, seemingly in the clear. But then Upamecano comes sliding in out of nowhere. Fantastic tackle from the Bayern centre back. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:46 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: French press continues

  100 mins: Ball pinged into the box on the left for Coman to chase, Messi is the man in front of him and the Argentina captain manages to head the ball away. The ensuing corner comes to nothing but Argentina are struggling to get out of their own third. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:43 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: Mbappe is down

  96 mins: Mbappe gets a shin skinner from Romero and the French magician is down.   

• Dec 18, 2022 10:40 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: First period of extra-time kicks off

  No match in this tournament has come to a conclusion in extra-time. If they were a draw after 90 minutes, they always went to penalties. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:32 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: FULL TIME! EXTRA TIME IT IS IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!

  Never predict a football match. Mbappe and France have come back from the dead. Virus infection, a relentless Argentina, all forgotten now. France look the better team. This World Cup was not going out with a whimper. We should have known. Sorry Qatar 2022. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:30 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: OH WHAT A SAVE BY LLORIS!

  90+7 mins: Messi with a rasper of a shot that dips and curls and spits fire. Lorris dives to his right and saves with an outstretched right arm. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:27 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: BIG SAVE BY MARTINEZ!

  90+2 mins: Camavinga with the ball inside the box, passes it wide to Rabiot who is also in the area on the left. Rabio takes the shot and Martinez goes down low to his left to make the save. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:24 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: 8 minutes of added time

  France are looking far more likely to score now. Football is a weird, wonderful little game, isn't it? For now, we can say that we are 8 minutes away from extra time. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:19 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: More French pressure

  86 mins: Thurram goes down to a challenge from Fernandez inside the box and he gets a yellow card. The replays show that it was a close one, quite a brilliant decision from the eagle-eyed ref. This match has gone from being a cold turkey to a pot boiler. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:17 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: 6 mins away from the end of normal time!

  Where oh where has this come from. France were gone, they couldn't get the ball on their feet. And then in a matter of seconds, they brought Albiceleste back to earth. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:14 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: GOAL! EXTRAORDINARY FROM MBAPPE!

  81 mins: Messi loses the ball to Coman in midfield on the right. It is shuttled accross the pitch to Mbappe, he gets a fantastic one-two with Thuram in the air and then slots in a first time shot. Extraordinary goal and France, incredibly, inexplicably, are on level terms. Where does the sport of football go from here?!

• Dec 18, 2022 10:12 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: GOAL! MBAPPE CONVERTS!

  80 mins: Martinez goes the right way but Mbappe scores anyhow!

• Dec 18, 2022 10:11 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: PENALTY FOR FRANCE!

  78 mins: Now then, now then. Kolo Muani bustles his way past Otamendi down the inside-left channel and enters the box. Otamendi tries to battle his way back, but can’t get goalside and brings his man down.

• Dec 18, 2022 10:05 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: More changes for France

  71 mins: Griezmann's race is run. He has done a wonderful job this World Cup but like most of his teammates, has been below par in this match. He is replaced by Eduardo Camavinga while Theo Hernandez is replaced by Kingsley Coman. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:03 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Shot at last for Mbappe!

  70 mins: He is there, he is alive, and he gives a reminder. Mbappe cuts in from the left, shows Messi the ball and takes it away from him before taking a shot that fizzes over the bar. 

• Dec 18, 2022 10:00 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: Semblance of danger from France

  68 mins: Ball swung in from the left by Theo Hernandez is cleared off for a corner. Griezmann sends in the resulting corner and that is cleared by Acuna who has a few words with Kolo Muani. The pair were competing for the header. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:58 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Di Maria taken off

  64 mins: Warm embraces for the Juventus man when he gets to the bench. Acuna replaces him so it is a defensive change. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:55 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: BIG CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA AGAIN!

  62 mins: Break from Argentina as Messi releases Mac Allister. He tries to square it to Alvarez from the left but Lloris gets to the ball and clears the danger. France had a virus outbreak in their squad, remember. It is pretty clear that their prepations for this game was severely disrupted by it. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:51 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Chance for Argentina!

  58 mins: Di Maria releases Alvarez on the left, the youngster drives at the near post and draws a save from Lloris. It's one-way traffic. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:47 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: Argentina almost self-destruct

  53 mins: De Paul passes back to Martinez from near the midfield and the Argentina goalkeeper comes rushing out of his box. Gets into a bit of a tangle with the clearance but Argentina manage to avoid any awkward situations. Argentina still have all of the ball but conceding from situations like these could trigger a terrible chain of events. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:42 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: 48 mins gone, Argentina 2-0 France

  Messi and Di Maria absolutely hounding the French players on the ball in the right, Griezmann is then beaten to the ball and it comes to De Paul who takes a shot straight at Lloris from distance. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:39 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: 2nd half kicks off!

  French defence still looking rickety. Messi runs at it, squares it to Alvarez who then passes it wide to Mac Allister. He crosses and it is claimed by Lloris. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:23 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: HALF TIME! Argentina 2-0 France

  Argentina are a half away, France a mountain. Les Bleus have been utterly unable to handle the intensity of the Albiceleste. Mbappe has been absent, Dembele and Giroud have been replaced. Messi and Di Maria, the elder statesmen, are playing like they are 20 years old and they are the ones who gave Argentina the lead. This first half has been a dream for the Argentina fans. They would now be hoping that fate would not deal them a cruel hand and make this night a nightmare. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:21 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: 45 + 5 mins gone, Argentina 2-0 France

  The quality has gone out of the match and it has also become a bit scrappy. Well that is exactly what France would want, break Argentina's flow before establishing their own. For now, though, it looks like this half is going tio end with a 2-0 scoreline. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:18 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: 7 mins of added time!

  Seven more minutes for France to somehow hold on. This has been a half to forget for them and they are still unable to get a grip on possession. 

• Dec 18, 2022 09:13 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: Two first half changes for France!

  41 mins: This could turn out to be a stroke of genius in the second half, you never know. For now, it is nothing more than an indication of just how wrong Deschamps and co. have been today with their tactics. Dembele and Giroud are out, Thuram and Kolo Muani are in.

• Dec 18, 2022 09:09 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: 38 mins gone, Argentina 2-0 France

  Messi receives the ball after it is cleared and immediately plays it to Alvarez who releases Mac Allister down the wing. France are non-existent in midfield as the Brighton man steams forward then passes it to Di Maria on the left and the veteran hits it first time into the back of the net. He is in tears after he is done celebrating that one. Argentina running away with this.

• Dec 18, 2022 09:05 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: GOAL! DI MARIA MAKES IT TWO!

  35 mins: A wonderful counter-attack from Argentina just as France tried to create something and Di Maria makes it two for the Albiceleste. Is this final decided already?

• Dec 18, 2022 09:01 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Total control from Argentina

  31 mins: 31 mins: Messi leaves Griezmann to bit the dust with one of his death pirouets and tries to release Di Maria down the left. The danger is quelled because that pass was a bit overcooked but Argentina remain in the French third. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:52 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: GOAL! MESSI PUTS ARGENTINA AHEAD!

  23 mins: As calm as it gets from the little genius. Messi strolls up to the ball, give Lloris the eye. The French captain blinks first and goes the wrong way, Messi calmly rolls the ball in to his left. That could be argued as being a soft penalty but this lead is nothing less than what Argentina deserve. France have not come to the party yet. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:51 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: PENALTY FOR ARGENTINA!

  20 mins: Di Maria goes down to a challenge from Dembele on the left inside the box. Cue the drama!

• Dec 18, 2022 08:49 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: GIROUD'S HEADER GOES JUST OVER!

  19 mins: France free kick on the left of the box at the edge of it. Griezmann sends it in and Giroud almost climbs over Di Maria to take the header. It goes just over the bar and the referee then says that Giroud had fouled Di Maria there. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:46 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: BIG CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!

  16 mins: Oh that move breaks down due to Di Maria skying his shot. Probably the first blemish for him in this game. The first skier is from Messi, who miscues his shot after taking a cut back from De Paul, it comes to Di Maria at the edge of the box but his shot goes into the stands. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:44 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: Chance at last for France

  12 mins: Mbappe tries to release himself with a tight one-two but Tagliafico stays with him and quells the danger. If a goal had come out of that, it would have been the definition of a goal against the run of play as Argentina have been dominant to say the least thus far. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:39 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: 8 mins

  De Paul's shot from 25 yards but is blocked away. The header from the ensuing corner kick is not cleared well by Rabiot, the ball pops up in the air, bounces in the box and Lloris comes out to collect. He is fouled by Romero and is down for the next few minutes. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:35 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: Early danger from Argentina

  5 mins: Alvarez comes close twice in the first five minutes. First time, the ball is popped up by Di Maria to him very close to the Argentina goalkeeper. He was offside though but the next shot came from distance three minutes later and that was straight at Lloris. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:30 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: KICK OFF!

  Allright then, enough with the chatter, we have some football to play! The whistle is blown before the end of the first minute with Tchouameni committing the first foul of the evening. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:25 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: The players walk out!

  The French national anthem comes first and then the Argentine national anthem. Feel it in the air!

• Dec 18, 2022 08:19 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: The Lusail Stadium…

  Is bathed in sky blue and white with a significant minority of Les Bleus colours. There seems to be a sizeable contingent of Napoli fans who are wearing Argentina colours and carrying Napoli flags with club legend Diego Maradona on it. 

• Dec 18, 2022 08:09 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: Kylian Mbappe

  There is a key difference between Brazil's 1962  campaign and France's journey this year, apart from the fact that they are yet to win World Cup of course. Pele was injured in Brazil's first match of the tournament itself. Mbappe is pretty much to this French team what Pele was to Brazil and while France have far more injuries to worry about than Brazil did back then, the PSG forward has been absolutely purring. His turn of pace and his extraordinary eye for the killer pass, apart from his extraordinary finishing abilities, has been a major factor in France reaching the final. 

• Dec 18, 2022 07:52 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: The World Cup closing ceremony

  The closing ceremony for the World Cup featured artists from around the world performing songs from the official soundtrack of the tournament in Qatar. The performers at Lusail stadium included Nigerian singer Davido and Qatari-based songwriter Aisha, Congolese artist Gims and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna. The show, featuring fireworks and a light show, was meant to celebrate the world coming together for the monthlong tournament in the Gulf emirate.

• Dec 18, 2022 07:42 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: French celebration

  French TV carried live images of the France team leaving its hotel in Qatar en route for the championship match and of the players arriving at the stadium. Among them, a smiling Kylian Mbappé looked particularly relaxed. In Paris, the Metro operator marked the momentous occasion by temporarily renaming one of its stations, changing the stop “Argentina” to “Argentina-France, let’s go les Bleus!" Players past and present sent messages of support. “Playing a World Cup final is a childhood dream. Let’s go and get this third star! Allez les Bleus!” Zinedine Zidane posted on Instagram. Striker Karim Benzema, the Ballon d’Or winner who missed this World Cup with a torn left-thigh muscle, posted: “The hour is come. All together. Let’s go.”

• Dec 18, 2022 07:34 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: A record for Messi, Di Maria starts at last

  Lionel Messi is making his 26th appearance for Argentina at the World Cup finals, breaking the all-time men’s record in doing so. Angel Di Maria starts for the first time since sustaining a foot injury against Poland in the final round of group games.

  Di Maria takes the place of Leandro Paredes in midfield as Argentina again rolls out a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi one of the two forwards. Nicolas Tagliafico is preferred to Marcos Acuña at left back.

  Kylian Mbappe starts up front for France alongside Olivier Giroud, who has overcome a minor knee injury. Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot come in for Ibrahima Konaté and Youssouf Fofana, respectively.

• Dec 18, 2022 07:25 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: The golden boot race 

  There are four players who are in with a shout to claim the golden boot today. Messi and Mbappe are both on five goals while Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud are on four goals. 

• Dec 18, 2022 07:17 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live: France lineup

  Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

  Subs: Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Muani, Fofana, Veretout, Mandanda, Saliba, Coman, Areola, Konate, Camavinga, Thuram.

• Dec 18, 2022 07:16 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Argentina lineup

  Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.

  Subs: Armani, Foyth, Montiel, Paredes, Pezzella, Acuna, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Rodriguez, Dybala, Lisandro Martinez, Lautaro Martinez.

• Dec 18, 2022 07:08 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Argentina's road to the final

  Can also be referred to as "Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste's thrill-a-minute ride to the final". Their campaign started off with the mother of all shocks - a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia after squandering a 1-0 lead. Then came five days of disaster analysis and doomsday predictions before Messi pulled them past Mexico with a 2-0 win. They were then clinical in a 2-0 win over Poland that helped them sail to the round of 16 where Messi scored his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout game (!!!!). Then came the battle against the Dutch. After being 2-0 down for much of the game, Netherlands incredibly scored two in the dying minutes of regular time, with the equaliser being scored off almost the last kick, and pushed the game into extra time. It eventually went to penalties and Argentina won 4-3. It was an ill-tempered game and sparks flew between the players and the dugouts for long after it as well. The mood couldn't be more different in the semi-final against Croatia, with Argentina won 3-0 to reach the final.

• Dec 18, 2022 07:05 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA Live score: France's road to the final

  France started off with a 4-1 win over Australia which already helped them put one foot in the round of 16. They kept the other foot there with a 2-1 win over Denmark and then could not find their feet in an inconsequential, but still pretty stunning, 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in their final group game. They then schooled Poland in the round of 16, winning that game 3-1 before digging out a couple of wins against teams that arguably played slightly better than them on the night. England lost 2-1 to France in the quarter-finals and the valiant Morocco were beaten 2-0 in the semis.

• Dec 18, 2022 06:59 PM IST

  ARG vs FRA FIFA World Cup final live score: Argentina unites

  This is what the Associated Press had to say about the mood in Argentina before the final. "Argentines woke up ready to watch the national team play for its third World Cup title amid a national feeling of unity and joy that is rare for a country that has been engulfed in an economic crisis for years and has one of the worst inflation rates in the world.

  "Argentina will face France in the final in Qatar and fan Guillermo Ortiz says “the whole city is dressed with the flag.”

  “Argentina last reached the World Cup final in 2014 but lost to Germany. Everyone in the country agrees the sense of anticipation and excitement for this year’s game is far higher than it ever was for that match in Brazil.”

• Dec 18, 2022 06:49 PM IST

  Argentina vs France Live score: Tryst with destiny for France?

  Brazil were the last team to defend their World Cup title and that was back in 1962. Before that, Italy did that in the second and third World Cups which were held before the Second World War. Needless to say, France could become the first team in living memory of many around the world to successfully defend their World Cup title. If they do so, it will be an extraordinary feat and somewhat reminiscent of what Brazil did back in '62. France came in with some of their biggest stars like Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba out injured, Brazil had lost Pele to injury in their very first match of the tournament and then lost Garrincha as well before the final. 

• Dec 18, 2022 06:37 PM IST

  FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Live Score: Hello and welcome!

  62 matches (63 if we count the third place play-off) over 29 days of football has finally coughed up these two teams as the ones to compete for the ultimate trophy in football. And it is a galaxy of stars that the tournament has thrown up. Savour this, Kylian Mbappe, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Angel Di Maria, Ousmane Dembele, Lisandro Martinez, Hugo Lloris, Emiliano Martinez; and in the middle of it all is the great man in his last match for the Albiceleste. Diego Maradona had touted Lionel Messi to be his successor and the latter has effectively ended up surpassing the master. However, the lack of a World Cup title has always hung over his illustrious career and there is a sense that it might only be France fans, and those who would like to see Messi fail just to keep saying that their favourite Cristiano Ronaldo is the best, who would Argentina to lose today. Make no mistake, Ronaldo himself might be smiling earing to ear if he sees his great rival lift the trophy. It is a glorious occasion. Well that goes without saying doesn't it, that's like pointing out that the clear sky is blue and the sun is extremely bright. It's the World Cup final, of courses it's a glorious occasion!