World Cup highlights: Argentina beats France in penalty kicks in epic final

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Noah Davis

Updated December 18, 2022 at 2:36 p.m. EST|Published December 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EST

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Argentina has won the World Cup, defeating France in penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw in an epic final Sunday in Lusail, Qatar, for its first world championship since 1986. Argentina was led by global soccer star Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance. France was bidding to become the first repeat champion since Brazil won consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962. Continue reading for highlights from the game.

Lionel Messi earns World Cup glory as Argentina tops France in a chaotic, captivating final

Argentina wins the World Cup, defeating France in penalty kicks

France ties it again on another Kylian Mbappé goal

Argentina breaks through for a 3-2 lead

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France had been the tournament’s most consistent team, and it nearly pulled off an incredible victory in the final. Argentina led 2-0 late in the second half before Kylian Mbappé scored twice to force extra time. After Messi scored in the 108th minute, Mbappé scored again in the 118th to force penalty kicks.

Argentina won six straight games after its stunning opening loss to Saudi Arabia and joined Spain in 2010 as the only World Cup champion to lose its opening game. La Albiceleste’s previous titles came in 1978 and 1986, when it was led by another generational talent, Diego Maradona.

Mbappé and Messi were the two best players in the tournament, and the Golden Boot was decided Sunday. Messi scored twice for Argentina to secure his legacy with a World Cup win. Mbappé's hat trick gives him a very small bit of consolation as the event’s leading scorer.

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World Cup in Qatar

World champions: Argentina has won the World Cup, defeating France in penalty kicks in a thrilling final in Lusail, Qatar, for its first world championship since 1986. Argentina was led by global soccer star Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance. France was bidding to become the first repeat champion since Brazil won consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962.

Today’s WorldView: In the minds of many critics, especially in the West, Qatar’s World Cup will always be a tournament shrouded in controversy. But Qatar’s foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, wants people to take another view.

Perspective: “America is not a men’s soccer laughingstock right now. It’s onto something, and it’s more attuned to what’s working for the rest of the world rather than stubbornly forcing an American sports culture — without the benefit of best-of-the-best talent — into international competition.” Read Jerry Brewer on the U.S. men’s national team’s future.