QATAR 2022, MESSI, MBAPPÉ, AND ARGENTINA'S CONQUEST OF THE WORLD CUP
 
This one had it all. Two fabulous stars in Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. The defending champion intent on defending their crown and the best player in the world looking for his first world championship at the age of 35. A devastating start by Argentina, with almost 80 minutes of full superiority and a golazo from Ángel Di Maria, constructed through a series of one-touch passes that merits consideration as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. A furious response from France that saw them claw back from a two goal deficit in a 97 second span, equalizing with an exquisite volley from Mbappé. The dramatic period of extra time, another goal by Messi, another goal by Mbappé, an agonizing save by Dibu Martínez on the forward Kolo Muani, a player better known for creating goals than scoring them… and then the penalties! A tense finish in which the Argentine goalkeeper showed off his prowess once again, and Gonzalo Montiel sealed the victory with the shot of his life. A game that provided almost three hours of sustained tension and a continuous rollercoaster of emotions. A final that was declared the greatest in the history of the World Cup shortly after its conclusion, and also the most exciting since the birth of football. “We’ve just seen the greatest confrontation in the history of top level sports”, declared Juan Pablo Varsky. Similar judgements and outflows of admiration were pronounced around the planet. This beautiful, heart-pounding final is analyzed through its protagonists – Argentina and France – with their secrets and anecdotes finally being revealed for the first time, moment by moment and hour by hour at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar during one extraordinary day on the 18th of December 2022. The day that the greatest final of all time was played.