With Lionel Messi finally achieved his dream, as Argentina won their third crown on penalties, in what was said to be one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history, it brought a fitting end to what was the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world, during what, for many countries, was the first to be held in the middle of a football season, which provided arguably the most open in its history.
Despite France's own superstar, Kylian Mbappe, scoring a hat-trick - the first in a FIFA World Cup final since 1966 – he still ended up on the losing side at Lusail Stadium. Argentina’s dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout ending a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France opposite number (Mbappe).
The first World Cup to be held in the Arab and Muslim world – and the second held entirely in Asia after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan – Qatar provided arguably the most open tournament, with fancied countries exiting early and ‘newer’ incumbents creating their own footballing history on the world stage. With Monaco leading a stronger-than-ever African contingent, Australia, South Korea and the USA amongst those making creditable presences on the field, Japan going above and beyond as their fans, and players, made sure they left the stadiums and - for team officials - changing rooms the way they found them, this will be one to remember, for so many people, for so many reasons.
For La Albiceleste, this was their first World Cup win since 1986 and their third in total. And, it was also the first South American win outside the continent since Brazil’s win in Sweden, in 1958. In fact, such was the open, friendly nature of this tournament, Brazil, with no love ever lost with their near neighbours, were banging the drums for Messi and co this time round.
As Mbappe cemented his status as one of the game's modern greats with only the second hat-trick in a World Cup final, following Sir Geoff Hurst's when England beat West Germany in 1966, Messi was imperious as he secured the one major honour missing from his glittering collection. But for 23-year-old 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, Mbappe, who was top scorer with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final, the pain of defeat was no less hard to take, despite winning the Golden Boot award following his sensational World Cup 2022 final.
This World Cup - which will now have Messi's name attached to it forever, along with a final that will rank alongside the greats - gave the iconic Argentine the conclusion he richly deserved. For so long THE game-changer, for club and country, his will top a host of to-be iconic names and games that will keep the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup at the front of many a people’s memory for years to come.
The ‘Best World Cup Ever?’ probably hard to argue against that!
