As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final begins, football fans around the world are preparing for another showdown on the sport's biggest stage. Before Argentina and Spain battle for the title on Sunday, attention turns to the unforgettable 2022 final, where Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup after one of the most dramatic matches in tournament history.
Argentina defeated France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw following extra time, with Lionel Messi inspiring his side to a third World Cup title and completing the only major achievement missing from his career.
Messi fulfils World Cup dream
Playing in his fifth World Cup, Messi led Argentina to glory and matched Diego Maradona by guiding the nation to the sport's biggest prize. He scored twice in the final and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before helping create Ángel Di María's goal as Argentina raced into a 2-0 first-half lead.
Mbappe leads France's remarkable comeback
France, the defending champions, staged an extraordinary comeback led by Kylian Mbappe.
After Didier Deschamps made key tactical changes, Mbappe scored twice in 97 seconds late in normal time. He first converted a penalty before producing a stunning volley to level the match at 2-2 and force extra time.
Argentina regained the lead when Messi scored from close range after Hugo Lloris parried Lautaro Martínez's effort. However, Mbappe completed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 118th minute following a handball, making it 3-3.
His three-goal performance also earned him the Golden Boot with eight tournament goals, one more than Messi.
Extra time delivers more drama
Neither side settled for penalties as both created clear chances in the closing moments of extra time.
France substitute Randal Kolo Muani was denied in a one-on-one by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, while Lautaro Martínez missed a headed opportunity at the other end.
The frenetic finish ensured the contest remained level before the title was decided in the shootout.
Martínez stars in penalty shootout
Both Mbappe and Messi converted their penalties in the shootout before Emiliano Martínez emerged as Argentina's hero.
The goalkeeper saved Kingsley Coman's penalty and then disrupted Aurélien Tchouaméni before the midfielder sent his effort wide. Gonzalo Montiel converted the decisive penalty to secure Argentina's 4-2 shootout victory.
Messi fell to his knees after the winning kick before being embraced by his teammates as Argentina celebrated their third FIFA World Cup title.
A final remembered as one of the greatest
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in football history because of its relentless twists, dramatic comebacks and standout performances from Messi and Mbappe.
While Messi finally completed his World Cup journey by lifting the trophy, Mbappe announced himself as the tournament's next global superstar with a historic hat-trick in the final, ensuring the match remains one of the sport's most memorable title deciders.
