DOHA — Argentina defeated France 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to win the World Cup for the third time on Sunday.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored twice and France striker Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick as an exciting World Cup ultimate completed 3-3 after additional time on the Lusail Stadium.
In a unprecedented evening of excessive drama, Argentinian substitute Gonzalo Montiel stroked residence the successful spot-kick to seal an agonizing shoot-out loss for defending champions France.
France had fought again from 2-0 down and 3-2 down in extra-time to make it 3-3 and take the sport to penalties.
Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot within the first half earlier than Angel Di Maria made it 2-0.
The Argentinians appeared to be cruising to victory till Mbappe scored twice within the eightieth and 81st minutes to stage it at 2-2.
France regarded the likelier staff to go on and win it, however Messi put Argentina 3-2 forward in extra-time after poking residence from shut vary after Lautaro Martinez’s shot was parried by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
But there was extra drama two minutes from the top of extra-time when Montiel conceded a penalty for handball.
Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Mbappe stepped as much as rating from the spot for the second time to take the sport to penalties. — Agence France-Presse
