World Cup final 2022: The story of the game as Argentina beat France in classic

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after emerging victorious from a penalty shootout in a scarcely-believable final against France. Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the 2018 champions twice came from behind after Lionel Messi’s brace had twice put Argentina ahead. Messi had opened the scoring in the first-half before Angel Di Maria added a second before Mbappe produced some magic of his own to drag his own side back in it. Here is the story of an extraordinary game: open image in gallery Cristian Romero, Emiliano Martinez and Lionel Messi sing the Argentine national anthem open image in gallery Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi go for the ball open image in gallery Cristian Romero pushes into Hugo Lloris as he punches the ball away open image in gallery Hugo Lloris receives medical attention open image in gallery Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann fight for the ball with Messi open image in gallery Ousmane Dembele fouls Angel Di Maria in the box open image in gallery Gianni Infantino, Fifa president, and French President Emmanuel Macron open image in gallery Messi scores the first goal from the penalty spot open image in gallery Players surround Messi after he scored open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate their first goal open image in gallery France players stand dejected after conceding the opening goal of the game open image in gallery All smiles after scoring open image in gallery Argentina fans celebrate their opening goal open image in gallery Adrien Rabiot reacts as referee Szymon Marciniak signals whilst Messi holds his head on the floor open image in gallery Angel Di Maria scores Argentina's second goal open image in gallery Di Maria reels away in celebration open image in gallery Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi celebrate with Di Maria after he scored open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate their second goal open image in gallery Alexis Mac Allister hugs Di Maria after he scored open image in gallery Olivier Giroud jumps over Angel Di Maria to head the ball open image in gallery Giroud throwing a bottle after being substituted off open image in gallery Alexis Mac Allister lands on the floor after Hugo Lloris makes a save against open image in gallery France’s Kingsley Coman has his shirt pulled up by two Argentina players open image in gallery Nicolas Otamendi fouls Randal Kolo Muani and concedes a penalty open image in gallery Mbappe scores France’s first goal from the penalty spot open image in gallery Argentina players look dejected as Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal open image in gallery Mbappe scores his and France’s second goal open image in gallery Kylian Mbappe wheels away after equalising open image in gallery France players celebrate their second goal open image in gallery Mbappe screams after scoring his second of the game open image in gallery Lionel Messi reacts after Kylian Mbappe’s second goal open image in gallery Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina, speaks to players before extra time open image in gallery Kylian Mbappe receives medical attention before extra time open image in gallery Hugo Lloris saves a Lionel Messi shot open image in gallery Marcus Thuram reacts after being tackled by Cristian Romero open image in gallery Fans display a flag reading ‘Free Palestine’ in the stands open image in gallery Szymon Marciniak helps up Kylian Mbappe open image in gallery Lionel Messi scores Argentina’s third goal open image in gallery Hugo Lloris looks on as Messi’s shot crosses the line open image in gallery Messi celebrates scoring open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate their third open image in gallery Gonzalo Montiel’s handball results in a France penalty open image in gallery Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his and France’s third goal open image in gallery France players celebrate with Mbappe after he scored their third goal open image in gallery Emiliano Martinez saves Kingsley Coman’s penalty during the shootout open image in gallery Martinez celebrates as Coman puts his hands on his head after having his penalty saved open image in gallery Gonzalo Montiel celebrates after scoring Argentina’s fourth and winning penalty open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate becoming World Champions as France players stand dejected open image in gallery Mbappe looks dejected after the match open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate after Montiel’s penalty won them the World Cup open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate winning the match and World Cup open image in gallery Lionel Messi celebrates winning the World Cup open image in gallery Sergio Agüero and Lionel Messi celebrate after the game open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate open image in gallery Mbappe sits in the dugout open image in gallery Messi kisses the World Cup trophy open image in gallery A robe is put on Lionel Messi by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation open image in gallery open image in gallery Messi lifts the trophy open image in gallery Lionel Messi celebrates with his family after winning the World Cup open image in gallery Messi is lifted into shoulders to celebrate the win open image in gallery Argentina's players celebrate with supporters open image in gallery open image in gallery Lionel Messi holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates in the goal of the penalty shootout open image in gallery Argentina players celebrate with the goal netting around open image in gallery open image in gallery Lionel Messi kisses the trophy