We saw one of the greatest World Cup final on the eve of 18th December when Messi’s Argentina won the greatest footballing event after 36 years overcoming the ex-champions France.
It was a toe to toe match where both teams drew the match at 3-3. While the South Americans got better off the Europeans in the penalties (4-2).
The match was going well in the Argentinian’s favor when they were leading 2-0 in the first half. Kylian Mbappe though had other plans. He scored 2 goals in 2 minutes to bring the French back into the game. The match went to extra time where Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe scored one goal each to level things up again.
In the penalty shootout, it was the Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez who was standing tall. He saved two penalties against Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni. Gonzalo Montiel scored the clinching penalty kick for Argentina to lift the cup.
Heartbreak for Ibrahima Konate in the World Cup final
France’s World Cup final loss was agony for Ibrahima Konate. The 23-year-old defender had a wonderful tournament. His monstrous performance in the semi-final against Morocco was one of the key factors in France’s World Cup final journey. Despite his performance, Didier Deschamps didn’t use Konate in the starting XI and was brought in from the bench for the last 7 minutes of the game.
Doubtful for the Final
According to ESPN, the French camp got hit by a virus just before the World Cup final affecting Konate and Raphael Varane. But luckily both defenders got fit before the final with Varane starting the match.
Didier Deschamps criticized
Some of the France and Liverpool fans are furious over Deschamps for not starting Ibrahima Konate. Fans are questioning why the Liverpool defender was not in the starting XI despite his amazing performance in the semi-final. Deschamps has been good so far in managing France. After the defeat in the final he said:
“WE DIDN’T HAVE ALL OUR STRENGTH FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, I WON’T GO INTO EXPLANATIONS.”
While it is believed that certain people are meant to do certain things and that’s what was written in the stars for Lionel Messi. The Football God’s favorite son won finally the glory!
