"I want to be in Argentina to see how crazy it is. I want them to wait for me, I can't wait to go there and enjoy it with them," Argentina captain Lionel Messi had said after winning the World Cup. And now, Messi's wish has been granted as the Argentine government has declared a national holiday on December 20 (Tuesday) so that fans can celebrate the World Cup triumph with their heroes.
"The world champion squad will leave on Tuesday at noon for the Obelisk to celebrate the world title with the fans," the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on its official Twitter account.
Lionel Messi finished his fifth and final FIFA World Cup campaign by lifting the trophy for Argentina as the Albiceleste beat France in the penalty shootouts at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday, December 18 to win the coveted prize after 36 years. In what has been called the final of all ages, Argentina were the worthy winner after taking the lead twice, but France proved that they were worthy opponents after Mbappe scored a hat-trick but in vain.
Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina lifted their first World Cup title since 1986 and third overall. Messi put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and played a part in Angel Di Maria's goal that made it 2-0 after 36 minutes. Mbappe scored two goals in a 97-second span to take the game to extra time, and then Messi tapped in his second goal in the 109th minute. But there was still time for another penalty from Mbappe to take the thrilling game to a shootout.
Hero against the Netherlands in the Quarterfinals, all eyes were on the Argentine goalkeeper. He got a hand on Mbappe's penalty, and but was unable to save the same. But he did save the penalty of Kingsley Coman before young gun Aurelien Tchouameni fired the ball wide.
For the eventual world champions, going from villian to hero, Montiel converted the winning spot-kick to clinch a 4-2 shoot-out success at the end of a thriller at Lusail Stadium.
