When the final whistle blew on December 18, 2022, few could have predicted the drama that would unfold at Lusail Stadium. Argentina and France had played out a 3‑3 draw after extra time, setting the stage for a penalty shootout that Argentina would win 4‑2, securing their third World Cup title.

4 related posts

Final score after extra time: 3–3 · Penalty shootout result: Argentina 4–2 France · Winning penalty scorer: Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina) · Man of the match: Lionel Messi (Argentina) · Hat-trick by: Kylian Mbappé (France) · Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Argentina won the World Cup final after a 3‑3 draw and 4‑2 penalty shootout (ESPN match report)
  • Lionel Messi scored two goals for Argentina (ESPN)
  • Kylian Mbappé scored a hat‑trick for France (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Lionel Messi will participate in the 2026 World Cup
  • If Messi will ever reach billionaire status
  • How France will rebuild after key players age
3Timeline signal
  • 18 Dec 2022 – Final played at Lusail Stadium (FIFA+)
  • 23′ – Messi penalty (1‑0) (FIFA+)
  • 36′ – Di María goal (2‑0) (FIFA+)
  • 80′ – Mbappé penalty (2‑1) (FIFA+)
  • 81′ – Mbappé volley (2‑2) (FIFA+)
  • 108′ – Messi goal (3‑2) (FIFA+)
  • 118′ – Mbappé penalty (3‑3) (FIFA+)
  • Penalty shootout – Argentina wins 4‑2 (FIFA+)
4What’s next
  • Messi continues his career at Inter Miami
  • Argentina to defend title at 2026 World Cup
  • France’s squad transition begins

Six facts from the final, one pattern: Argentina’s first‑half dominance gave way to France’s astonishing comeback, but Argentina’s nerve in the shootout won the day.

Label Value
Final Score after Extra Time 3–3
Penalty Shootout Argentina 4–2 France
Winning Penalty Scorer Gonzalo Montiel
Man of the Match Lionel Messi
Hat‑trick by Kylian Mbappé
Stadium Lusail Iconic Stadium

The pattern: Argentina’s systematic preparation versus France’s heroic late resilience defined the final.

Who shot the last penalty for Argentina?

Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to take the decisive penalty in the shootout. After Argentina converted all four attempts – by Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and Montiel – and Kingsley Coman’s shot was saved and Aurélien Tchouaméni missed wide, Montiel’s spot‑kick sealed the 4‑2 shootout win (ESPN match report).

Who has a 100% penalty record?

No penalty taker in the final achieved a 100% record across all competitions, but Argentina’s four shootout takers each succeeded under the highest pressure. Messi, Dybala, Paredes, and Montiel all converted (Dailymotion match highlights).

How did Argentina prepare for penalties?

Argentina’s coaching staff drilled penalty routines before the final. The team’s systematic approach – each taker knew their spot – contrasted with France’s two misses. The preparation paid off: Argentina scored all four kicks while France missed two. The implication: Argentina’s penalty composure was not luck; it was a product of rehearsal and psychological readiness.

Bottom line: Argentina’s four penalty takers converted under pressure because of systematic rehearsal, not chance.

Who is the man of the match Argentina vs France?

Lionel Messi was awarded Man of the Match after scoring two goals, including a penalty in extra time, and leading Argentina’s attack throughout the 120 minutes (ESPN).

What were Messi’s stats in the final?

Messi scored in the 23rd minute (penalty) and again in the 108th minute. He became the first player to score in every knockout round of a single World Cup tournament – a feat unmatched in modern World Cup history. The catch: even his extra‑time goal could not prevent Mbappé’s equaliser.

Did Lamine Yamal get Man of the Match?

No. Lamine Yamal was not part of the 2022 World Cup final. He made his senior debut for Spain in 2023, well after this match. The Man of the Match award was rightfully Messi’s. The pattern: Messi’s performance in the final cemented his legacy.

What was the final score?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup final ended 3‑3 after extra time. Argentina led 2‑0 at halftime through Messi (penalty) and Ángel Di María. France roared back with two goals from Kylian Mbappé in the 80th and 81st minutes. Messi put Argentina ahead again in the 108th, but Mbappé equalised with a penalty in the 118th – completing his hat‑trick (ESPN). The implication: the 3‑3 scoreline is the second highest‑scoring draw in World Cup final history, surpassed only by 4‑4 in 1966.

How did the penalty shootout unfold?

The penalty shootout followed a tense script. Argentina shot first: Messi scored, then Mbappé for France. Dybala and Paredes both converted for Argentina. Kingsley Coman’s effort was saved by Emiliano Martínez. France’s fourth taker, Aurélien Tchouaméni, fired wide. Gonzalo Montiel then stepped up and scored the winner, giving Argentina a 4‑2 shootout victory (ESPN). France’s successful shootout takers were Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani; Coman and Tchouaméni failed (Dailymotion match highlights). The catch: France’s heroic comeback forced the shootout, but Argentina’s calm execution under pressure won the trophy.

What records were set in the final?

Kylian Mbappé became the first player to score a hat‑trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966 (Dailymotion). He also scored four goals in total for France in the final (three in regulation, one in shootout). Messi became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter‑final, semi‑final, and final of a single World Cup – a perfect knockout run. Argentina’s victory was their third World Cup title, after 1978 and 1986 (YouTube – FIFA highlights). The catch: despite Mbappé’s historic hat‑trick, he ended on the losing side.

The upshot

Argentina’s penalty preparation proved decisive. Four takers, four converted kicks – a level of composure that France, despite their late heroics, could not match.

Why this matters

For Messi, the final closed a career‑long quest. For Mbappé, it was a statement of arrival. For both teams, the shootout separated a great final from a legendary one.

“I had dreamed of this moment for so long. It’s incredible to be world champion.” – Lionel Messi (post‑match interview, FIFA highlights)

“We never gave up, we came back twice. I’m proud of my team.” – Didier Deschamps, France manager (ESPN report)

Bottom line: The 2022 World Cup final will be remembered as a duel of resilience and nerve. Argentina’s systematic penalty preparation gave them the edge, while France’s fightback showed remarkable character.
Related reading: Tour de France 2025 – Route, Stages and Full Results · Arsenal F.C. Players – 2024/25 Squad Overview
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Relive every goal and the tense penalty shootout in the dramatic final, where Messi finally lifted the trophy.

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Frequently asked questions

Who has a 100% penalty record?

No penalty taker in the final holds a 100% record across all competitions, but Argentina’s four shootout takers all converted in the final.

Is Leo Messi a billionaire?

Messi’s net worth is estimated over $600 million, but he has not yet reached billionaire status according to public financial reports.

Who was better at 17: Lamine Yamal or Lionel Messi?

At 17, Messi had already made his Barcelona debut and scored his first La Liga goal. Yamal debuted for Spain at 16 and showed early promise, but direct comparisons are premature.

What is the biggest upset in World Cup history?

Many consider the 1950 final where Uruguay beat Brazil at the Maracanã, or the 2022 group stage where Saudi Arabia beat Argentina, as major upsets.

Did Lamine Yamal get Man of the Match?

No. Lamine Yamal has never played in a World Cup final. The Man of the Match award for the 2022 final went to Lionel Messi.

What was Argentina’s biggest win?

Argentina’s biggest win in World Cup history is 6–0 against Peru in 1978 (group stage), and they also beat Serbia and Montenegro 6–0 in 2006.