Messi’s perfect ending, Scaloni success for Argentina and France’s future: five takeaways from day 29 of the 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup is over and the tournament ended in epic fashion as Argentina beat France on penalties after an incredible 3-3 draw.
Argentina looked to be in full control as they led 2-0 through Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria with just over 10 minutes remaining, but two goals in the space of 90 seconds from Kylian Mbappe forced extra time at the Lusail Stage.
Messi put Argentina back on top in extra time, only for Mbappé to level again from the spot and there were chances for both teams at the end.
But it was left to penalties and Argentina triumphed to win their first World Cup since 1986. Here’s a look at the main talking points from Day 29 of Qatar 2022:
Four years ago, the chances of Lionel Messi winning the World Cup seemed slim. In Russia 2018, Argentina lost 4-3 to France and went out in the last 16. But it was a disastrous campaign for Jorge Sampaoli’s side.
Messi hadn’t even won a trophy with Argentina’s senior side at that point, though he had an Olympic gold medal and an Under-20 World Cup win earlier in his career.
The arrival of Lionel Scaloni as coach changed everything. Last year’s Copa America victory ended the long wait for an international trophy with the Argentine seniors and a 36-game unbeaten run ahead of this World Cup saw the Albiceleste arrive as the pre-tournament favourite.
The defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game was unfortunate, but also seemed to increase the team’s focus. From then on it was knockout football and Argentina did not disappoint.
Leo led Argentina in every game, in a way it was often suggested he couldn’t, and now has the game’s biggest prize. It’s the perfect ending, a fitting finale, to an incredible career.
He has hundreds of goals and assists, plus numerous league titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Ballons d’Or, a Copa America and now a World Cup among a string of collective and individual titles. There’s nothing left. He officially completed football.
Scaloni a happy ‘accident’ for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni was appointed coach of Argentina on an interim basis with Pablo Aimar after Russia 2018, after working as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli.
He was then retained until the 2019 Copa America, largely because the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was broke.
The late Diego Maradona described him as a “good guy,” but added, “He can’t even direct traffic.”
However, the signs were positive as Argentina finished third in the Copa in 2019 and were unlucky when they lost to Brazil in the semi-finals.
Copa America success followed last year and now he has led Argentina to the biggest trophy of them all. After years of searching high and low for the right coach, they stumbled upon him almost by accident. What a story.
Mbappé seems to be Messi’s heir
Kylian Mbappé can count himself extremely unhappy. The PSG attacker scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final and still ended up on the losing side.
The 23-year-old had to be consoled by French President Emmanuel Macron after the match and his disappointment was understandable after he did everything he could to keep his side in the final.
But Mbappé shouldn’t be too discouraged. The former Monaco forward finished the tournament with seven goals and also claimed the Golden Boot. Four years ago he won the trophy at the age of 19. He can continue to dominate football for the next decade and with his PSG team-mate Lionel Messi winding down at the age of 35, he looks like the Argentine’s heir.
France will be a force, but may need change
France national coach Didier Deschamps said he will speak to the French Football Federation about his future after Sunday’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina on penalties.
Deschamps has done a great job in his 10 years in charge, taking Les Bleus to four finals in that time. Under the former midfielder, France won last year’s World Cup and UEFA Nations League, while being defeated in the Euro 2016 final and again at Qatar 2022.
France missed a large number of players due to injury during this World Cup, including Christopher Nkunku, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba. Yet they still came within a whisker of winning the trophy.
Their future looks promising, with or without Deschamps in charge, but after 10 years it may be time for a change. And a certain Zinedine Zidane is available…
This was without a doubt the best World Cup final ever
While World Cups are usually fun, finals can often be restrained and tight as the two teams want to give little away. This match was not like that at all.
Admittedly, for nearly 80 minutes, this was an extremely one-sided game. But from the moment France came alive with two goals in the space of 90 seconds, it turned into an epic encounter.
The last 10 minutes plus extra time and penalties provided extraordinary drama as Argentina and France went hand in hand for the trophy.
Argentina led 2-0. Out of the blue France scored twice to make it 2-2 late on. The Albiceleste then went ahead again in extra time, but was again pinned. And both teams had chances to win it before the penalties. It was incredible to watch and it is unlikely we will see another World Cup final like this in our lifetime.
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