Messi leads Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup after 36 years of waiting

Messi and his teammates lifted the 2022 World Cup Gold Cup.

World Cup 2022This season, Lionel Messi and his teammates had to go through many different emotions on their journey to win the gold cup.

In the group stage, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia before defeating Mexico and Poland to advance. Entering the knockout round, Albiceleste continued to win against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia.

In the final, coach Lionel Scaloni's team had a dream start when they led France 2-0. In the 22nd minute, Ousmane Dembele made a silly foul in the penalty area on Di Maria. Argentina was awarded a penalty. Lionel Messi calmly kicked the ball to fool goalkeeper Lloris, scoring his 12th goal in World Cups (equal to the record of King of Football Pele), his 6th goal in this year's World Cup.

Not stopping there, in the 36th minute, Argentina increased the score to 2-0. From a counter-attack, Allister passed the ball accurately to Di Maria who finished perfectly, doubling the gap for Argentina. However, in the final minutes of the match, Kylian Mbappe spoke up with 2 goals to help France tie 2-2.

Lionel Messi will end his illustrious career with a host of prestigious awards from club to national team level.

In the 80th minute, Otamendi fouled Kolo Muani in the penalty area, France was awarded a penalty. Mbappe successfully kicked the free kick to reduce the score to 1-2 for the Gallic Roosters. A few minutes later, Argentina continued to receive cold water. Mbappe made a beautiful volley to equalize 2-2 for France.

The chase did not stop there when extra time came, Lionel Messi increased the score to 3-2 in the 108th minute and Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 116th minute to send the match into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. However, "guardian angel" Emiliano Martinez once again shone to make the French players regret.

Winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout, Argentina ended a 36-year title drought. This was also the first time Lionel Messi lifted the championship, thereby closing an illustrious career with many prestigious awards from club to national team level./.