FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 -Argentina squad has done miracle
- Argentina XI: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
- France XI: Lloris, Kounde, Upamecano, Varane, T. Hernández, Rabiot, Tchouaméni, Mbappé, Griezmann, Dembéle (Kolo Muani, 41′), Giroud (Thuram, 41′).
- The World Cup final kicks off at 6pm (15:00 GMT) at Lusail Stadium.
- It coincides with Qatar’s national day.
- Argentina and France are both looking for their third title.
- France could become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups.
Moments
Di Maria goal sets new World Cup record
Di Maria’s goal was the 48th of the knockout stages – a new record-high figure at World Cups.
The previous highest goal tally during the knockout stages was the 47 scored in Russia, in 2018.
Argentina dominant as toothless France flounder
Argentina absolutely dominated the reigning world champions during the opening 45 minutes.
La Albiceleste’s two goals were fair reward for their control of the ball and constant threat going forwards.
France didn’t manage a single shot at goal, with star forward Kylian Mbappe largely anonymous throughout. They will need to do much more in the second period if they are to get themselves back into the game.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Argentina have provided arguably their best first-half performance of the tournament on the biggest occasion of them all.
And it is that man, Messi, who has helped spark it.
From taking a decisive penalty to put pressure on Les Bleus to helping initiate a counter that led to the eventual Di Maria goal, number 10 has left his mark already.
France have looked second rate so far but have the quality and ability to push through.
Second half under way
The players have regrouped and are ready to go for this crucial second half.
It will be Argentina’s turn to kick things off as France look to close the two-goal gap.
‘One more goal and it’s over’: Argentina fan
Argentina fan Luis Pinot, from Los Angeles, says his side is in the driving seat after a dominant first-half display.
“One more goal and it will be over,” the 37-year-old, who is originally from Buenos Aires, told Al Jazeera.
“They look hungry … they really want this win, you can see that with the way they are playing,” he added. “But I will be nervous until the final whistle blows.”
Argentina win right side corner
Messi whips it in but Griezmann gets in front of the near post to steer it away.
54 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
Rabiot shown yellow card
For a very late tackle from behind on De Paul, Rabiot goes straight into the referee’s book.
55 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
Alvarez tries his luck
Alvarez picks up the ball on the left side and as he tries to beat his marker, decides to have a shot at the near post.
Lloris had the angle covered though, and the ball goes just wide into the side netting.
60 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
Argentina continue to exert dominance as time ticks away for France
It has been a similar story so far in the second period.
Argentina continue to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and look the more dangerous side.
France are running out of time to turn this final around with 30 minutes of normal time left to play.
Di Maria sets up Messi chance
Di Maria has been hugely influential so far.
From the left side of the box, as he looks to evade his marker, he spots Messi on the far right and picks him out.
Messi, despite being surrounded by French bodies, tries to aim at the far post but just goes wide.
62 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
Lloris’ slide saves France
Argentina continue their ruthless play as Messi picks out Alvarez with a through ball on the left side.
The Argentinian then sees Mac Allister on his right who has a clear path for goal.
Lloris spots this and rushes out. He is able to get to the ball in the nick of time with a slide to just beat Mac Allister to it.
65 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
France earn left side corner
France have yet to have a touch in the Argentinian box. They will desperately need to change that.
Griezmann swings in the cross, but Kolo Muani’s header ends up going wayward under pressure.
68 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
De Paul chance smothered
Messi continues to work his magic as he finds De Paul on his right side.
The midfielder hones in on the near post and has a crack at net, but Lloris is able to get on top of it.
78 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
France win a penalty!
Otamendi brings down Kolo Muani inside of the box, and France are awarded a penalty!
79 mins: Argentina 2-0 France
GOAL!
Martinez guesses right as Mbappe goes left, but the Frenchman is just too good as France make it 2-1.
80 mins: Argentina 2-1 France
France fans brought to life by Mbappe brilliance
Unbelievable. It is now the Mbappe show. No one saw this coming.
They might be outnumbered but the French supporters are now making themselves heard, loud and clear. They are the ones making all the noise in the stadium. Mbappe has come to their rescue.
Mbappe almost finds Kolo Muani
It is absolute pandemonium at Lusail with those two quick-fire responses from France.
The ball just can’t avoid Mbappe now as he looks to cross one over to Kolo Muani inside of the box, who is stationed in front of goal.
The forward gets to the ball, but is unable to head it towards the net.
86 mins: Argentina 2-2 France
Almost a French penalty as yellow card shown to Thuram
Thuram is given a yellow card for simulation, but almost everyone at the ground thought it was another French penalty as the forward went down.
Brilliant spot by the referee upon second viewing.
88 mins: Argentina 2-2 France
Argentina fans unrelenting despite stunning turnaround
Despite France’s spectacular comeback, the Argentina fans are not easing up.
Their nerves might be on edge but they continue to back their side, even if it means losing their voices in the process.
Eight minutes of stoppage time
With all that just happened, unsurprisingly the fourth official has signalled for eight minutes of additional time.
90+1 mins: Argentina 2-2 France
France win dangerous free kick
The attempt is from 30 metres out on the far left.
Mbappe, who has suddenly become the man of the moment, sends in a cross.
De Paul is able to intercept and clear the ball before any further danger is created.
The Argentinian players look shell-shocked and will need to regain their composure as there is plenty of time still left.
90+4 mins: Argentina 2-2 France
Rabiot near post chance thwarted
France are fully in control as Coman makes a run on the left side.
He does well to evade his marker till the very last moment before being brought down just outside the box.
There are calls for a free kick but the referee gives advantage and the ball soon finds Rabiot.
The midfielder decides to have a go at the near post, but Martinez is able to get on top of it.
90+6 mins: Argentina 2-2France
Yellow card shown to Acuna
For a rather egregious challenge on Coman, the Argentinian goes into the book.
90+9 mins: Argentina 2-2 France
End of normal time
After a chaotic 15 minutes, this World Cup final extends into extra time.
End of normal time: Argentina 2-2 France
Argentina make a change
During the prior break, Gonzalo Montiel was brought on in place of Molina.
92 mins ET: Argentina 2-2 France
France make a substitution
Rabiot trudges off as Youssouf Fofana rushes on to the field.
This is a concussion substitution, so it will not count as a regular substitution for Les Bleus.
97 mins ET: Argentina 2-2 France
End-to-end stuff at Lusail
The ball has gone from one side to another in this opening half of extra time.
No real telling chances, but there is definite “fire at all cylinders” type of energy at the moment.
99 mins ET: Argentina 2-2 France
France win free kick
Fofana is brought down by Montiel with a strong challenge.
The attempt is on the far left side near the touch line, with Coman taking it.
The ball is sent in, and is subsequently sent out by the Argentinian defense, but not before France rally back to win a corner.
The resulting corner is taken on the left side, but to no avail.
101 mins ET: Argentina 2-2 France
Argentina supporter dreading prospect of penalties
Argentina supporter Davide Lopez says he was almost sure his side would win inside 90 minutes after going 2-0 up in the first half, describing France’s comeback as “shocking”.
“All of our games are so stressful … if it goes to penalties, my heart will explode,” the 33-year-old,
Martinez effort blocked twice
With Argentina working an offensive, the ball finds Lautaro inside of the box.
Upemacano spots the danger and puts in a wonderful sliding block just in the nick of time to block Lautaro at close range.
Soon after another opportunity presents itself with Lautaro on a break as he looks to go one-on-one with Lloris, but Upemacano once again gets in the way to stop a possible goal.
105+1 mins ET: Argentina 2-2 France
Half-time in extra time
We are just 15 minutes away from penalties.
Can Argentina or France end this before though? We shall soon find out.
HT ET: Argentina 2-2 France
GOAL!
Messi comes to the rescue for Argentina!
108 mins ET: Argentina 3-2 France
Messi goal puts Argentina on the brink
After a superb counter is launched, the ball finds Lautaro on the right side who looks to go near post.
The striker tries his luck but is blocked soundly by Lloris.
The French goalkeeper is unable to hold onto the ball though as the rebound finds a trailing Messi who is able to get behind it to thrust the ball into the goal, with the ball just passing the line before being taken out by Upemacano.
Argentinian fans are crying as Messi may have just delivered the crucial blow of this contest.
France make a change
Varane, who looks massively depleted out there, is subbed off for Ibrahima Konate.
113 mins ET: Argentina 3-2 France
France awarded a penalty!
For Montiel’s handball to the Mbappe shot from outside of the box, the referee has pointed to the spot.
It is Mbappe who will take it for France.
117 mins ET: Argentina 3-2 France
GOAL!
Mbappe goes back on top of the top-scorer’s list!
He goes top left, with Martinez electing to go bottom right.
What an amazing final this has been so far, and it looks like we are headed to penalties.
118 mins ET: Argentina 3-3 France
Kolo Muani almost ends the match
Mbappe tries to find his partner inside of the bow.
The forward does well to get to the ball, but he just can’t get a touch on it to drive it past Martinez on the right side.
120 mins ET: Argentina 3-3 France
End of extra time
Martinez twice has a chance at squaring this match once and for all, but is unable to finish.
Meanwhile, Kolo Muani, who is on a clear break, is stopped in his tracks by a converging Martinez.
It has been a frenetic end so far to extra time.
This World Cup final will be decided once and for all by penalties.
FT ET: Argentina 3-3 France
It’s time for penalties
After winning the coin toss, France will go first.
Penalties SCORE : Argentina 4-2 France
And Dream Come true……. Argentina is new word’s champion
Stay Tuned…
