The night Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory

Tell it all in Santa Fe. Publish it all in the streets of Rosario. Let it be known that that “little boy” has led his nation to World Cup success.

It has been a long journey for Lionel Scaloni’s men but despite launching their 2022 World Cup campaign in defeat (against Saudi Arabia), they finally won the title following tough challenges.

A World Cup dream come true it is for all Argentines who first experienced what winning the prestigious cup looked like back in 1978. Eight years later, the South Americans celebrated the achievement of another World Cup trophy after beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.

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The joy of Argentina and her supporters worldwide knew no bounds when Gonzalo Montiel’s penalty sealed the third World Cup title at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday night.

Playing against a gifted French side was always going to be a herculean task. France came into the match after beating surprise package, Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals. Argentina also advanced past the last four with a resounding 3-0 win over eventual third place winners Croatia.

Argentina dominated early proceedings and had already tested French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris inside the first five minutes.

On a night of enthralling action, Messi stepped up to convert a penalty in the 23rd minute after Ángel Di María was brought down in the box. With the goal, he became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament.

A Final worthy of a Final

Prior to the opening goal, Argentina looked more destined to score and of course they did. A second came when a fine counter attacking move was completed by Di María, 13 minutes after the first goal.

With a two-goal cushion, Messi and co. looked assured to lift a much anticipated world title but impressive forward Kylian Mbappé scored two quick goals to level matters, much to the shock of all Argentine faithfuls.

In truth, the successive goals came very quickly as the run of play didn’t suggest such sudden twist in fate. Mbappé scored the first from the spot nine minutes to the end of regulation time before restoring parity with a fantastic volley a minute later.

“The little boy from Rosario” as Messi is fondly called then restored Argentina’s lead in extra time only for Mbappé to score another penalty two minutes to the end of the dramatic World Cup final match, forcing the encounter into a penalty shootout.

Mbappé and Messi scored their penalties only for Kingsley Coman to lose France’s second kick. Paulo Dybala scored Argentina’s second but Aurélien Tchouaméni also missed his kick, giving Albiceleste a huge advantage.

Leandro Paredes netted Argentina’s third straight penalty before Kolo Muani converted for France. Montiel ensured the World Cup trophy will travel through the streets of Argentina in the coming days when he sent his kick past Lloris.

France were looking to emerge as the first country to retain the trophy since Brazil did so 60 years ago, and only the third ever after Italy won in 1934 and 1938.

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Joy for Argentina

Amid jubilant scenes, a tearful Messi fell to his knees, raising his arms to the skies, before collapsing under a multitude of joyful teammates. The argument of him being the greatest of all time is further strengthened with this awesome win.

Scaloni caught a happy figure, covered with excitement and exhilaration. So were his charges who could not contain their joy including Messi who basked in the euphoria of leading Argentina to the World Cup trophy.

Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Di María, Marcos Acuña, Paredes, Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina, Enzo Fernández and Nicolas Otamendi were all instrumental to Argentina’s success and they will live this dream for as long as memory serves them.

They and other squad players at the just concluded World Cup have written their names in the books of football history forever.