Ken Early: Opposing Lionel Messi was a coalition of the French, many non-Argentine South Americans, Real Madrid fans, Cristiano Ronaldo stans, professional contrarians, and other assorted sickos, perverts and desperadoes (via IrishTimesSport)
The decisive Argentina penalty in the shootout was scored by substitute full-back Gonzalo Montiel, who, as he ran to celebrate, broke down and bawled like a baby. The emotional dam that had shattered in Montiel released a flood of joy and also of relief. He had been the one whose unlucky handball had given away the penalty with which France had equalised in the 118th minute.
That second was one the most beautiful goals ever scored in a World Cup final: a sweeping end-to-end attack involving five players and five passes, four of them first-time.
Olivier Giroud was substituted before half-time by Didier Deschamps. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images In hindsight, France started to play better when Griezmann and the hapless Hernandez were replaced by Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga. But it was Mbappé who hurled the lightning bolts that sparked the French resurrection. His 118th minute penalty both won him the 2022 Golden Boot, made him only the second player to score a hat-trick in a final after Geoff Hurst and meant he exceeded even Pelé in becoming the top-scorer of all time in World Cup finals.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ken Early: Football fans the world over feel gratitude towards Messi tonightFinal for the ages is crowning glory that puts Messi on a par with Maradona’s effort in 1986
Read more »
Ken Early: Messi’s vindication leaves Ronaldo fans praying for Mbappé interventionAnd Gianni Infantino must have been reading some strange stuff before the World Cup
Read more »
Lionel Messi gets his crowning moment as Argentina win epic World Cup finalKylian Mbappé's scores stunning hat-trick to twice bring defending champions back into game
Read more »
Messi takes his crown in Argentina's absurd, epic World Cup final victory over FranceArgentina led 2-0 and then 3-2 in extra time before winning one of the truly great finals on penalties.
Read more »