Produced by CNN Digital’s Photo Team What a match. After a dramatic penalty shootout, Argentina defeated France on Sunday to win its first World Cup since 1986. It was a final for the ages , with momentum swinging both ways throughout a pulsating 120 minutes that ended 3-3. Gonzalo Montiel scored the penalty that clinched the title. It is the crowning achievement for Argentina legend Lionel Messi , who said this would be the last World Cup game of his remarkable career.
Messi, who is widely considered to be one of the sport’s all-time greatest players, scored two goals in the final and was awarded the Golden Ball. France star Kylian Mbappé had a hat trick for France, pulling his team back from a 2-0 halftime deficit and a 3-2 deficit in extra time. The final was held at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. This was the first time in history that a World Cup was held in the Middle East, and it was the first time it had taken place in an Islamic country.
This year’s tournament was also mired in controversy , with much of the buildup focusing on human rights, from the death of migrant workers and the conditions many have endured in Qatar, to LGBTQ and women’s rights in the country. The World Cup has always been held in either May, June or July, but this one was moved to November and December because of the hot climate in Qatar. © 2023 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Credit – CNN
