*Mbape scored a hat-trick
By Ezechukwu Chidozie and Daniel Tuokua, Abuja
Argentina has won the World Cup for the third time after defeating France in Doha on penalty kicks, after extra time failed to produce a clear winner.
Argentina beat France 4-2 during penalty kicks after a thrilling 3-3 draw at full and extra time, which saw Lionel Messi of Argentina, score twice and Kylian Mbappe score a hat-trick
Argentina team showed class as they dominated the early part of the match and looked more dangerous upfront, although the French football team was no pushover as they would always make a decoy, rebounding every move by Argentina to create tension for the Argentina goalkeeper.
Juventus winger, Angel Di Maria, wasted a glorious chance on the spot of 20 minutes, shooting wide off the goal post after he was set up by Messi.
Olivier Giroud also headed wide for France a minute later.
Di Maria won a penalty for Argentina in the 22 minutes after he was tripped inside the box by Ousmanne Dembele.
Messi expertly slotted the ball into the net, sending goalkeeper Hugo Lloris diving the wrong way.
La Albiceleste doubled Argentina advantage 13 minutes later.
Di Maria fired home after he was set up by Alexis Mac Allister.
France manager, Didier Deschamps made two substitutions late in the first half.
Giroud and Dembele were replaced by Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani.
Argentina continued their dominance after the break, creating a number of half chances.
France struggled through with Kylian Mbappe firing wide from inside the box in the 70th minute.
Les Blues reduced the deficit 11 minutes from full time.
Kolo Muani was fouled inside the box by Nicholas Otamendi and Mbappe sent the ball home, despite Emiliano Martinez diving the right way, but for the speed and hotness of the hit.
The holders leveled two minutes later courtesy of a superb shot from Mbappe.
France took total control of the game afterwards, but it was Messi, who came close to scoring a late winner with goalie Lloris tipping his shot to the bar.
The game went into extra-time and Argentina were the better side in the first 15 minutes.
Lionel Scaloni’s side regained the lead in the 108th minute through Messi.
France fought back once again with Mbappe scoring his third goal of the game from another penalty.
Lionel Messi scored the game’s first goal as he finally won football’s most coveted prize, cementing his legendary status.
Recall that thirty-six years after Diego Maradona lifted the World Cup in Mexico, Lionel Messi did the same in Qatar as Argentina regained their title, and Messi cemented his status as the greatest of all time in the greatest World Cup final of all time. (Assitional reports from theathletic.com and Prompt News)
