Argentina is the land of dreams! Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup

Lionel Messi

 

Argentina is the land of dreams! Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup after inspiring a nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory over France after one of the most exciting tournament finals ever.

Headed toe to toe, Messi and Mbappe rallied their side to a 3-3 draw in the World Cup final.

The two teams faced a tense penalty shootout, with the crowd completely moved by one of the best finals ever.

Lionel Messi led his team through penalties, scoring the first penalty on his way to World Cup glory and sending Lusail Stadium into ecstasy in what was his last match for Argentina.

Lionel Messi sent the Lusail Stadium into ecstasy as he held the World Cup in Qatar after leading Argentina to glory via a penalty shootout against France in one of the greatest finals of all time.

Waiting patiently with a huge smile etched across his face, Messi watches as his teammates receive one after another their World Cup winners' gold medals, absorbing the air as they anticipate the moment when he will finally pick up his six kilos of gold.

With the entire Argentina national team lining the stage in front of their adoring fans at Lusail Stadium, Messi spent another two minutes praising FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and various other officials.

But in the end, the diminutive Argentine genius was released to celebrate with his compatriots, seized the gold cup in his hands, climbed to the center of the stage, and pushed the cup over his head, fireworks exploding all around him as his compatriots erupted wildly festivities.

Moments earlier, Argentine fans worldwide did the same as their side under the spotlight in Lusail, scoring every penalty while France wasted two of their efforts amid the mental games of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 winner after the final match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.

Argentina's Lionel Messi shakes hands with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino applauds during the trophy presentation.

Argentine Lionel Messi was presented with the trophy by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after Argentina won the World Cup.

Earlier, Messi scored a desperate goal in extra time to drag his team back against defending champions France - only for Kylian Mbappe to seal a hat-trick and set up a penalty shootout.

The South American fans, vastly outnumbering their French counterparts in Qatar, were unable to contain their joy when the final penalty kick was scored, while the Argentine players immediately broke into torrents of tears as they cheered their captain Messi.

The man bids farewell to the tournament with the trophy in his hands, having sealed his place as the greatest footballer of all time in what was probably his last match for Argentina.

Messi calmly walked to the benches where his wife Antonella was sitting with their son and blew kisses as a huge crowd of Argentine fans erupted.

Meanwhile, Mbappe walks away from Qatar with the honor of becoming the second man in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, after England's Sir Geoff Hurst.

He was one of the first to congratulate Mbappe, tweeting: 'Congratulations to Mbappe. Whatever happens, you had a great run! "

Argentine Lionel Messi celebrates his team's victory after Argentina won a penalty shootout during the final match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022.