Lionel Messi made his mark in history as the GOAT, or Greatest of All Time, at the World Cup final yesterday, at the very least for Argentina and its people, when the Argentinian national team won a penalty shootout against France. 

The final match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar between Argentina and France was held at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday, December 18, 2022, with a final score of 3-3 until the dramatic shootout, which Argentina won by 4-2.

During the riveting match, the captain of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi, scored twice. However, France striker Kylian Mbappe caught up and scored three goals of his own. 

Not to be outdone, Argentinian substitute Gonzalo Montiel soon scored an equalizer, bringing the match to a penalty shootout. 

The French team clawed their way back up from a 2-0 down and 3-2 down in extra time and stretched the game to the penalties. 

During the penalty shootout, Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez successfully blocked a shot in the second round. Aurelien Tchouameni’s penalty kick missed the goal entirely in the third round, clenching the win for Argentina.

This will probably be Lionel Messi’s first and final World Cup win, as he has indicated that he might not be playing for much longer. Nevertheless, Messi will likely go out as a football hero for his country.

Eyes on the ball

Football is widely considered the most popular sport in the world, and this World Cup may have proved it, with many celebrities, famous athletes, and politicians joining in on the fun. Some went to see the show live, and some watched from their homes while sharing their excitement on social media. 

“Best World Cup Final ever,” said Usain Bolt in a tweet as quoted by CNN, while posting pictures of himself in a light blue Argentinian jersey at Lusail Stadium.

“We’re breathless up here. It was just an unbelievable final. It was a pleasure to be here. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like it again. It was staggering,” former England international Alan Shearer said on the BBC.

My god, #FIFAWorldCup. This game is a gorgeous, evil curse. I love it so much make it stop.

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 18, 2022

“My god, #FIFAWorldCup. This game is a gorgeous, evil curse. I love it so much, make it stop,” said Ryan Reynolds in a tweet quoted by CNN, after Lionel Messi scored a goal during extra time. 

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández tweeted: “Thanks to the players and coaching team. They are the example that we should not give up. That we have great people and a great future.”

“Les Bleus made us dream,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a Tweet. The French President traveled to Qatar to watch his team and could be seen on the pitch after the match comforting Mbappe, who seemed inconsolable to say the least.

“Thank you Les Bleus! We have trembled with you all, just until the end. Thank you for this journey, thank you for making us dream, thank you for this exceptional game,” said French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne in a tweet.