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.
Once the world witnessed Messi's crowning moments, fans all across the world celebrated in frantic fashion. Thousands of people flocked to the streets in cities around the world after Argentina clinched football's biggest prize in dramatic style.
The streets of Messi's hometown of Rosario erupted in celebration as tens of thousands of people descended on the National Flag Memorial, the symbol of Argentina's third-largest city, to celebrate Argentina's victory. People started arriving as soon as Messi lifted the international trophy and were still there well into the evening.
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