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Preview: It is now or never for Lionel Messi. The Argentina superstar’s once-in-a-generation career will be defined — for many — by whether he leads his country to the World Cup title on Sunday. Can he finally, at the age of 35, win soccer’s biggest prize to secure his place alongside Pelé and Diego Maradona in the pantheon of the game’s greatest ever players? Standing in his way is France, the defending champion, and Kylian Mbappé, the player best positioned to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s marquee name. That’s if he hasn’t already. Mbappé also is standing on the cusp of history heading into the match at the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, a title decider that is filled with storylines. The 23-year-old France forward is looking to emulate Pelé by being a champion at his first two World Cups and set up the prospect of a third title, a feat only ever achieved by the Brazil great who has been hospitalized during this year’s tournament because of a respiratory infection. Mbappé was 19 when he led France to its second World Cup title in 2018, becoming the youngest scorer in a final since a 17-year-old Pelé did so in 1958. While Pelé ended up being a peripheral figure in Brazil’s 1962 triumph — he didn’t play in the knockout stage because of injury — Mbappé has been France’s go-to player in the team’s bid to repeat. Who wins the Golden Boot — the award for the top scorer — is just one of the many other narratives around the final. Kylian Mbappe (5 goals), Lionel Messi (5), Julian Alvarez (4) and Olivier Giroud (4) all in contention to win the Golden Boot, and it could very well go down to the wire. With inputs from The Associated Press Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Final, Argentina vs France, Highlights: Argentina crowned World Cup champions
FIFA World Cup 2022 Final, Argentina vs France, Highlights: Argentina win the FIFA World Cup 2022 on penalties, beating France 4-2. Lionel Messi’s dream finally comes true, winning a World Cup, the only trophy that was missing in his celebrated career.
 "FIFA World Cup 2022 Final, Argentina vs France, Highlights: Argentina crowned World Cup champions")
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
France players receive their runners-up medal.
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Lionel Messi is named Player of the Tournament!
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Kylian Mbappe wins the Golden Boot award! He scored eight goals in total!
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Emiliano Martinez is awarded Golden Glove award.
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, 21, is awarded with the FIFA Young Player Award!
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Time for the presentation ceremony!
FIFA World Cup LIVE
Argentina win the FIFA World Cup 2022 on penalties, beating France 4-2. Lionel Messi’s dream finally comes true, winning a World Cup, the only trophy that was missing in his celebrated career. Heartbreak for France, and Kylian Mbappe, whop had scored a hat-trick.
FIFA World Cup LIVE
Penalty shootout
France: ✔️❌❌✔️
Argentina: ✔️✔️✔️✔️
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Time for the penalty shootouts….
After extra time: Argentina 3-3 France
It ends 3-3! And we will have a penalty shootout to decide the winners of FIFA World Cup 2022. Lionel Messi initially gave Argentina a 3-2 lead in extra-time, only for Mbappe to level matters again.
117’ Argentina 3-3 France
Goal! Kylian Mbappe nets a hat-trick in this final! What a contest this has been, an extraordinary final!
109’ Argentina 3-2 France
Lionel Messi puts Argentina ahead yet again! Lautaro Martinez fires his shot across the goal, but Hugo Lloris clears that away, Messi is just hovering in front of Lautaro and puts it past Lloris.
A legend in the making!
Kylian Mbappé.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 18, 2022
11 World Cup goals in 2 editions.
Two goals in World Cup final.
23 years old.
UNREAL. 🤯🏆🇫🇷#ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/CaFvxEyzFd
Argentina 2-2 France
Half time in extra-time, and the score remains 2-2. Argentina have had their chances, but just 15 minutes remain in the extra time, the second period of which will get underway soon.
Argentina 2-2 France
France make a substitution, with Adrien Rabiot making way for Youssouf Fofana.
Argentina 2-2 France
The first period of extra time is underway! It’s been an exhilarating contest so far, andit will be interesting to see who comes out on top tonight.
Full time: Argentina 2-2 France
Full time! Two goals from Kylian Mbappe saves France from a position of almost no hope left for Les Bleus. But, this game is well and truly alive, and with scores level after full time, there will be an extra time of 30 minutes to decide a winner. If scores are still level after extra time, then it goes to penalties.
Argentina 2-2 France
Eight minutes have been added in injury time. A lot of time still to get a result, or will this go to extra time?
Argentina 2-2 France
GOAAL! What a comeback! Two goals from Kylian Mbappe, one from a penalty, brings France right back in it! What a miraculous comeback from Les Bleus!
Argentina 2-1 France
+Goalll! The contest is alive once again! Kylian Mbappe gives France some hope, as he converts a penalty. France have halved Argentina’s lead.
71’ Argentina 2-0 France
Substitution from France as Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez are off, making way for Kinglsey Coman and Eduardo Camavinga.
64’ Argentina 2-0 France
Substitution by Argentina as goal-scorer Angel di Maria comes off, making way for Acuna with a bit more than 25 minutes to go. Time is clearly running out for France.
Watch Lionel Messi’s first-half goal against France here!
BIG BIG step towards the 🏆 dream 🙌🏻#Messi scores his 6️⃣th goal of #Qatar2022 & no better time than this 🔥
— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) December 18, 2022
Can the @FrenchTeam strike back? Find out LIVE on #JioCinema & #Sports18 📺📲#ARGFRA #FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWConJioCinema #FIFAWConSports18 pic.twitter.com/Io6fyc2uRm
54’ Argentina 2-0 France
At this point, France are definitely desperate for an equaliser. Antoine Griezmann wins a corner kick, but his shot is saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Lionel Messi created history earlier in this FIFA World Cup final!
Lionel Messi is the first player to EVER score in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final in a SINGLE World Cup 🐐 pic.twitter.com/UhCWAXMtqb
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022
Argentina 2-0 France
The second half of this final is underway in Lusail. Argentina the happier team at the moment, but can France script a comeback?
Half time Argentina 2-0 France
So, Argentina head to half-time with a double advantage, with goals from Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria giving them a 2-0 lead. France will have just 45 minutes to turn this around and find a way back, without Argentina adding one more, but will they?
Argentina 2-0 France
Just before half time, France make a double change. Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele are off, and are replaced by Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani. Meabnwhile, seven minutes have been added in injury time, and two minutes of the same have already passed.
36’ Argentina 2-0 France
GOOAL! Angel di Maria doubles Argentina’s lead in Lusail. Lloris rushes out to save the ball, but di Maria, after collecting a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, fires this one into the far bottom corner.
23’ Argentina 1-0 France
GOAAAAL! Lionel Messi gives Argentina a 1-0 lead as he converts a penalty. Messi takes a short run-up to the shot, Lloris dives to his right but the ball heads towards the opposite direction and it’s a goal for Argentina
19’ Argentina 0-0 France
France defender Lucas Hernandez is fouled outside the box and it’s a free-kick for Les Bleus. There’s a free-kick, but France cannot make anything out of it with Giroud’s header not paving the way for a goal.
17’ Argentina 0-0 France
Argentina create another opportunity to score, the build-up is good, but Angel di Maria’s shot goes way off target, and it’s a miss for Lionel Scaloni’s men.
15’ Argentina 0-0 France
Nervy moments for France and their defensive unit as Argentina create opportunities to score, but cannot get past the France goalkeeper.
11’ Argentina 0-0 France
Hugo Lloris is receiving some treatment to his shoulder after the France goalkeeper collides with Argentina’s Romero during an Argentine corner. Lloris was coming off his line to collect the ball.
Argentina 0-0 France
Argentina enjoying possession of the ball in early stages of the final, and Alexis Mac Allister has an opportunity to shoot, but Mac Allister’s shot is saved by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes an important save.
1’ Argentina 0-0 France
France, the defending champions, get the FIFA World Cup 2022 final underway in Lusail. Remember, should France win, they will be the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title,
FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates
Right, national anthems of both Argentina and France are complete. The wait is finally over. The FIFA World Cup 2022 final is set to get underway at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Players of both teams shake hands before the contest. Just moments away now….
FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates
Lionel Messi set to create another record!
26 - Lionel Messi is set to become the all-time record holder for most games played at the World Cup (26). Enduring. pic.twitter.com/WmDnXp6h6n
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2022
WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 2 results: Cody Rhodes beats John Cena in wild title match
Brock Lesnar's return headlines Night Two of WWE Summerslam Cody Rhodes defeats John Cena to become the Undisputed WWE Champion Becky Lynch defeats Lyra Valkyria to stay Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
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