Qatar World Cup 2022: Argentina beat France in nailbiting final

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End of penalty shootout: Argentina 3-2 France (Argentina wins 4-2 on penalties)

After a standout performance by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the penalty shootout, Argentina have secured their first World Cup trophy since 1986.

End of extra time: Argentina 3-3 France

An exhausting match to watch, and it's not over yet. A penalty shootout will decide this match and tournament.

Argentina 3-3 France

With a 118th-minute penalty, an unbelievably composed Mbappe gets a hat-trick for France.

Argentina 3-2 France

In what could prove to be a fairytale ending, Messi nets a third for Argentina in the second half of extra time.

Full-time: Argentina 2-2 France

Extra time awaits after an electric last ten minutes of normal time saw France draw level.

Argentina 2-2 France

Seconds later and Mbappe nets another to draw France level!

Argentina 2-1 France

Another penalty this time for the French - Kylian Mbappe nets it to give France a chance at the title.

Half-time: Argentina 2-0 France

It's been smooth sailing for Argentina so far, against a French side clearly hard hit by illness.

Argentina 2-0 France

Smooth, confident play from the Argentinians and Angel Di Maria doubles their lead.

Argentina 1-0 France

Who else but Lionel Messi to cleanly put away a penalty, 23 minutes into the match.

Kick-off: Argentina v France

After the closing ceremony, fireworks of a different kind as Argentina v France kicks off at the Lusail Stadium.

Closing ceremony concludes

A beautiful display of light, sound and music has concluded the closing ceremony of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. 

The entire stadium was on its feet, dancing and clapping along with the performers. 

"Hayya Hayya" blared around the stadium as Davido, Aisha and Trinidad Cardona took to the stage, while Canadian-Moroccan artist Nora Fatehi and Congolese rapper Gims were also part of the spectacular performance. 

Qatar 🇶🇦have delivered one of the best World Cup tournaments.

Very colorful closing ceremony underway 🥰🥰🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/3xqOHIhVqg

— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) December 18, 2022

Dreamers by Jungkook was playing in the #FIFAWorldCup Closing ceremonypic.twitter.com/s7iPMp6Nqu

— BTS Charts Daily⁷ (@btschartsdailys) December 18, 2022

This closing ceremony is impressive. I must say. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2HUJLqCluw

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 18, 2022

A Night to Remember: the closing ceremony

This is it - the beginning of the end of what has been a fantastic World Cup. The lights are down and the stage is set for the closing ceremony to close out the tournament.  

The ceremony kicked off with Qatari artist Dana performing a beautiful rendition of A Wonderful World.

Lineups

The lineups for the World Cup final have been announced. 

Argentina: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

France: Lloris, Kounde, Upamecano, Varane, T. Hernández, Rabiot, Tchouaméni, Mbappé, Griezmann, Dembéle, Giroud
 

Where it all began: the opening ceremony

فيروز حاضرة بحفل الإحتفال#كأس_العرب | #مونديال_العرب #FIFArabCup | #ArabCup pic.twitter.com/znnbVjvtOL

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 30, 2021

It's been 28 days since the 2022 World Cup's Opening Ceremony on 20 November.

A celebration of pan-Arab culture that brought together musicians and artists from around the Middle East and the world, the highlights included holograms of the peerless Umm Kulthoum and Feyrouz, and a real-life appearance by Algerian rai music legend Cheb Khaled.

Relive the opening ceremony here.

This World Cup has been a highly entertaining tournament, complete with memorable upsets, shocking exits and historic runs. Saudi Arabia's win over Argentina early on will live long in the memory, and so will Japan's brilliant victories over both Spain and Germany during the group stages. 

Arguably the biggest highlight was Morocco's dream run to the semi-finals, who defeated Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to ever reach that far in a World Cup. The Atlas Lions finished fourth in the tournament, and will inspire African and Arab teams to dream big at future World Cups. 

Argentina's Messi seeking to crown record-breaking career

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is looking to crown his record-breaking career by winning football's biggest prize for the first time on his farewell to the tournament.

Messi, who is 35 and playing in his fifth World Cup, is hoping to lead Argentina to victory over France and a first title since the Diego Maradona-inspired victory in Mexico City in 1986.

He has collected seven Ballon d'Or awards for the best player in the world, but his last trip to the World Cup final ended in the bitter disappointment of defeat to Germany in 2014.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said on Saturday of Messi: "People say the favourites are France. But we have the greatest player of all time."

More on this story here.

A Night to Remember: the closing ceremony

This is it - the beginning of the end of what has been a fantastic World Cup. The lights are down and the stage is set for the closing ceremony to close out the tournament.