Key Takeaways
- The Ultimate Catalyst Match: The 2022 final against France was not just a game, but the dramatic climax of Messi’s career, transforming his legacy from a generational talent without a World Cup to a completed footballing icon.
- A Masterclass in Tension: The match featured rapid momentum shifts, including a dominant first half, a shocking 97-second French equalizer, and a gripping extra-time sequence that kept millions on the edge of their seats.
- EPL and Top League Connections: The final showcased not just Messi, but a roster of players who now dominate the English Premier League and other top European leagues, linking this historic night to the weekly football you watch today.
The Midnight Kickoff: Setting the Scene in the Tropics
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final on December 18, 2022, pitted Argentina against the reigning champions, France, in a match that became an instant classic. For viewers in the UTC+8 timezone, the 11:00 PM kickoff at Lusail Stadium in Qatar meant a late night, but it was a small price to pay to witness history. This game was the culmination of Lionel Messi’s fifth and final World Cup campaign, a career-long quest to capture the one major trophy that had eluded him.
Imagine the scene: you’re huddled in the living room, the hum of the electric fan battling the humid midnight air. Outside, the neighborhood is quiet, but inside, the tension is palpable. Or perhaps you were one of the lucky ones, crowded into a sports bar, the air thick with anticipation as screens glowed, broadcasting the hopes of a nation and a global icon. This wasn’t just another final; it was the definitive chapter in one of football’s greatest stories. The weight of it all—the near misses, the heartbreak of 2014, the final chance—hung over every pass and tackle.
The First Half Masterclass: Messi and Di Maria's Silent Assassination
The first 45 minutes unfolded like a tactical dream for Argentina. From the opening whistle, they played with a controlled intensity that left France looking bewildered. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s game plan was executed to perfection, with the midfield trio suffocating France’s creative outlets and cutting off service to their star forward, Kylian Mbappé.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. After Ángel Di María was tripped in the box, the referee pointed to the spot. As Messi stepped up, a hush fell over viewing parties everywhere. He approached the ball with a deceptive calm and sent French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way, slotting it home to give Argentina the lead. The goal was a release of immense pressure.
Thirteen minutes later, a breathtaking counter-attack cemented Argentina’s dominance. A swift sequence of passes sliced through the French defense, culminating in a perfect pass from Alexis Mac Allister to a sprinting Di María, who finished flawlessly. At 2-0, it felt like the script was written. As the halftime whistle blew, you could feel the collective exhale of Argentine supporters, contrasting sharply with the stunned silence from the French camp.
Quick Comparison: The Final's Protagonists Then and Now
The final was a showcase for talent that now lights up Europe’s top leagues every week. Many of the heroes of that night in Lusail are now household names for fans of the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
| Player | Role in 2022 Final | Current Top League Club (EPL/La Liga/Serie A) | League Impact Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Captain / Playmaker | Inter Miami (MLS) / Legacy | Global ambassador, set-piece specialist |
| Emiliano Martinez | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa (EPL) | Premier League Golden Glove winner, penalty specialist |
| Julián Álvarez | Forward | Manchester City (EPL) | Key rotational striker, pressing forward |
| Enzo Fernández | Midfielder | Chelsea (EPL) | Record signing, deep-lying playmaker |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Midfielder | Liverpool (EPL) | Box-to-box engine, technical midfielder |
The 97-Second Shock: Mbappe's Equalizer and the Turning Point
For 80 minutes, the World Cup trophy seemed destined for Buenos Aires. Argentina was cruising, and France looked defeated. Then, in a stunning turn of events that defied all logic, the match was flipped on its head. It began with a clumsy challenge from Nicolás Otamendi, resulting in a penalty for France.
Kylian Mbappé, who had been a ghost for most of the match, stepped up to take it. He fired it past Emiliano Martínez, and suddenly, at 2-1, there was a flicker of hope for the defending champions. But no one could have prepared for what happened next. Just 97 seconds after the restart, Mbappé produced a moment of sheer individual brilliance. A quick one-two was followed by an explosive volley that rocketed into the back of the net.
The stadium, and every living room watching, erupted in disbelief. The feeling was pure emotional whiplash. The joy and confidence that had filled the air for 80 minutes evaporated, replaced by a stomach-churning anxiety. France was alive, and the psychological blow to Argentina was immense. The game was reset, and the momentum had shifted in the most dramatic way imaginable.
Extra Time Drama: The Save, The Strike, and The Ultimate Equalizer
As the match spilled into extra time, exhaustion was etched on every player’s face. The pace slowed, but the tension only grew. Both teams had chances, but it was clear that one moment of brilliance or one costly error would decide it. Argentina began to find their footing again, and in the 108th minute, it seemed they had found their winner. A powerful shot was parried by Lloris, but the rebound fell to the one person Argentina needed it to: Lionel Messi. He bundled the ball over the line from close range, sparking delirious celebrations. At 3-2, surely, this was it.
But this final had other plans. With just minutes remaining, a French shot struck the arm of Gonzalo Montiel inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot for the third time in the match. Mbappé once again stepped up, coolly dispatching the penalty to complete his hat-trick and level the score at 3-3.
Before the final whistle of extra time, France had one last golden opportunity. A long ball found Randal Kolo Muani clean through on goal. As he unleashed his shot, Emiliano Martínez, now a star for Aston Villa in the EPL, made himself huge, pulling off a miraculous leg save that will be replayed for decades. It was a stop that saved Argentina’s dream and sent the greatest World Cup final in history to a penalty shootout.
The Penalty Shootout: Montiel's Kick and a Nation's Catharsis
The penalty shootout is the ultimate test of nerve, and the atmosphere was electric. Messi and Mbappé both calmly converted their opening kicks. Then, it was time for Emiliano Martínez to take center stage. Known for his mind games and penalty-saving prowess at Aston Villa, he delivered for his country, diving to his left to deny Kingsley Coman.
After Paulo Dybala scored for Argentina, France’s Aurélien Tchouaméni, feeling the immense pressure, dragged his shot wide. Argentina was now in complete control. After another successful conversion, the responsibility fell to Gonzalo Montiel—the same player whose handball had led to France’s late equalizer. It was a chance for redemption on the grandest stage.
Montiel stepped up, took a deep breath, and rolled the ball into the bottom corner as Lloris dived the wrong way. The net bulged, and in that instant, a 36-year wait was over. Players collapsed to the ground in tears of joy and relief. On the halfway line, Lionel Messi sank to his knees, mobbed by his teammates. The image of him finally kissing the World-Cup trophy is an indelible moment in sports history, a perfect end to a cinematic journey.
The Legacy: EPL Stars and the Next Generation
That night in Qatar did more than just cement Lionel Messi’s legacy. It served as a crucible, forging a new generation of stars who now dominate the leagues you watch every weekend. The supporting cast of that final became headline acts overnight, their performances earning them massive moves to the English Premier League.
Enzo Fernández, the tournament’s Best Young Player, secured a record-breaking transfer to Chelsea. The tireless Alexis Mac Allister became the engine of Liverpool’s midfield. Julián Álvarez, already at Manchester City, proved he was more than just an understudy, becoming a key part of their treble-winning squad. And in goal, Emiliano Martínez solidified his reputation as one of the world’s best, bringing his heroic antics to Aston Villa.
This connection to the EPL makes the 2022 final even more special. It wasn’t just a moment in time; it was a launchpad. When you watch these players excel in England, you’re seeing the echoes of that dramatic night. A single 120-minute match defined the destiny of a legend and simultaneously introduced the world to the stars who will carry the sport forward for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many World Cup tournaments did Messi play in before finally winning in 2022?
Lionel Messi played in four previous World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018) before lifting the trophy on his fifth attempt in 2022. His closest prior attempt was in 2014, when Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Germany in extra time.
What specific records did Lionel Messi break during the 2022 World Cup?
In 2022, Messi set a new record for the most FIFA World Cup appearances with 26 matches, surpassing Lothar Matthäus. He also became the first player in history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final in a single tournament.
Where can I watch the full replay or extended highlights of this final?
Full match replays and extended highlights are often available on FIFA’s official digital platforms. Searching for “FIFA World Cup 2022 Final” on major video streaming sites will typically provide access to the complete broadcast or comprehensive summaries of the game.
How does the penalty shootout format work if the score is still tied after extra time?
Each team selects five players to take penalty kicks. The teams alternate taking kicks, and the team that scores more goals after five rounds wins. If they are tied after five kicks each, the shootout moves to “sudden death,” where teams take one kick per round until one team scores and the other misses.