World Cup 2022 Final: Argentina Vs France Full Match Replay
What an epic final, guys! The FIFA World Cup 2022 final between Argentina and France was an absolute rollercoaster, a game that will be etched in football history forever. If you missed it or just want to relive the magic, you're in luck because we're diving deep into the full match replay of this unforgettable encounter. Get ready to break down every incredible moment, from the nail-biting penalties to the superstar performances. This wasn't just a game; it was a saga, a testament to skill, passion, and the sheer drama that only the World Cup can deliver. So, grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let's rewind to that incredible night in Qatar where legends were made and history was rewritten. Itâs a full match replay experience you won't want to miss!
The Road to the Final: Argentina and France's Journeys
Before we jump into the FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay, it's crucial to understand how these two titans even got to this colossal showdown. Both teams had incredibly different, yet equally compelling, journeys to the Lusail Stadium on December 18th, 2022. Argentina, spurred on by their devoted fanbase and the sheer determination to win the World Cup for the legendary Lionel Messi, navigated a tricky path. They started with a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia, a result that sent ripples of disbelief across the globe. However, this early setback only seemed to galvanize them. Led by Messi's genius, they found their rhythm, overcoming Mexico, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands in a fiercely contested quarter-final, and finally, a resilient Croatia in the semi-finals. Every match was a test of character, with Messi consistently delivering moments of brilliance, proving once again why he's considered by many to be the greatest of all time. The pressure was immense, but Argentina, fueled by national pride and the dream of a third World Cup title, showed incredible fortitude.
On the other side, France, the defending champions, were on a quest to achieve something truly remarkable: become the first team since Brazil in the 1960s to win back-to-back World Cups. Their journey was, in many ways, smoother, but by no means less challenging. They started strong, topping their group and then dispatching Poland with relative ease in the Round of 16. The quarter-final against England was a tight affair, decided by a moment of brilliance and a missed penalty. Their semi-final opponent, Morocco, had stunned the world with their defensive solidity and fairytale run. France, however, with their blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned expertise, managed to break down the Moroccan wall, securing their spot in the final. Kylian Mbappé, the electrifying young superstar, had been in scintillating form, scoring goals for fun and carrying the attacking threat alongside Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann. The stage was set for a clash of titans, a battle between a team seeking to crown its greatest player and a team aiming to cement its dynasty. This full match replay is the culmination of those incredible journeys.
The First Half: Argentina Takes the Lead
As the whistle blew for the FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay, the tension in the Lusail Stadium was palpable. From the get-go, Argentina looked like a team possessed. They pressed with intensity, moved the ball with purpose, and seemed determined to assert their dominance early on. Their early pressure paid dividends in the 23rd minute. Angel Di Maria, who was surprisingly left out of previous crucial matches, was brought into the starting lineup and delivered a masterclass. He weaved his magic down the left flank, drawing a clumsy foul from Ousmane Dembélé inside the penalty area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped the man himself, Lionel Messi. With the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, he calmly dispatched the penalty, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way and putting Argentina 1-0 up. The stadium erupted! It was a moment of pure elation for the Albiceleste faithful, and it seemed like the dream was well on its way to becoming a reality.
Argentina continued to control the game, their midfield marshaled brilliantly by Enzo FernĂĄndez and Rodrigo De Paul, stifling any French attempts to build momentum. The defining moment of their first-half dominance came in the 36th minute. A swift, incisive counter-attack saw Argentina slice through the French defense. Messi was involved, playing a sublime pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who then played a perfectly weighted through ball to Ăngel Di Maria. Di Maria, in acres of space, showed incredible composure, finishing coolly past Lloris to double Argentina's lead. It was a goal of pure team brilliance, a testament to their attacking prowess and tactical execution. At 2-0, with Di Maria causing havoc and Messi pulling the strings, France looked shell-shocked and struggled to find any foothold in the game. Didier Deschamps, the French manager, made an early substitution, bringing on Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, but it did little to stem the tide in the first half. As the half-time whistle blew, Argentina held a commanding 2-0 lead, and the full match replay of the first 45 minutes showed a dominant performance that had the world buzzing.
The Second Half: France's Stunning Comeback
Coming back out for the second half of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay, you could sense that France had a mountain to climb. However, football, as we all know, is a game of incredible resilience and unpredictable twists. While Argentina started the second half looking to manage their lead, France began to show signs of life. Didier Deschamps, known for his tactical acumen, had clearly delivered a rousing half-time team talk. They started pressing higher, and their talisman, Kylian Mbappé, began to find more space. Argentina, perhaps a bit complacent or simply trying to conserve energy, dropped a little deeper, inviting pressure.
The turning point, the moment that completely shifted the momentum, came in the 79th minute. France won the ball in midfield, and a quick pass found Randal Kolo Muani, who fed it to Kylian MbappĂ©. MbappĂ©, with a burst of pace, drove into the box and was brought down by NicolĂĄs Otamendi. The referee, after a check with VAR, awarded France a penalty. It was a lifeline for the defending champions. Up stepped MbappĂ©, who, despite the immense pressure, coolly slotted the ball past Emiliano MartĂnez, scoring France's first goal and reducing the deficit to 2-1. The stadium, which had been largely pro-Argentina, buzzed with a new energy. Just 97 seconds later, the unthinkable happened. France, building on the momentum from the penalty, won the ball back quickly. MbappĂ© played a quick one-two with Marcus Thuram, received the ball back on the edge of the box, and unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the net. It was a goal of sheer brilliance, a moment of individual genius that leveled the scores at 2-2. The comeback was complete, and the full match replay had just delivered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in World Cup history. Argentina, who had looked so comfortable, were stunned, and France, led by their electrifying number 10, had clawed their way back from the brink.
Extra Time: A Thriller from Start to Finish
The FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay entered extra time with the score locked at a breathtaking 2-2. Both teams, having witnessed the dramatic shifts in momentum, approached the additional 30 minutes with a mixture of caution and renewed determination. You could see the fatigue setting in, but the desire to lift the World Cup trophy pushed them forward. Argentina seemed to regain some composure initially, creating a few half-chances and looking to re-establish control. However, France, buoyed by Mbappé's incredible goal-scoring spree, remained a constant threat on the counter-attack.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 108th minute. Argentina launched an attack, and a shot from Lautaro MartĂnez was parried by Hugo Lloris. The rebound fell kindly to Lionel Messi, who poked the ball towards the goal. It looked like it had crossed the line, but a desperate clearance from Axel Disasi on the goal line, before the ball fully crossed, kept France in the game. However, the momentum continued, and a follow-up cross into the box from Enzo FernĂĄndez found Lautaro MartĂnez, who unleashed a powerful shot that deflected off a French defender and fell to Lionel Messi. This time, Messi made no mistake, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from close range, putting Argentina 3-2 ahead. The celebrations were immense, the Argentine bench erupted, and it felt like they had finally sealed their destiny. But, in this full match replay, the drama was far from over. In the 118th minute, a handball by Gonzalo Montiel inside the box gifted France another penalty. Kylian MbappĂ© stepped up once more, showing nerves of steel to complete his hat-trick and equalize for France at 3-3. It was an incredible individual performance from MbappĂ©, and he became only the second player in World Cup final history to score a hat-trick. Extra time had delivered a spectacle, pushing the game towards the ultimate test: penalties.
The Penalty Shootout: Argentina Claims the Crown
As the dust settled after an astonishing 3-3 draw in extra time, the FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay was destined to be decided by the agonizing drama of a penalty shootout. This is where nerves of steel and mental fortitude are tested to their absolute limits. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife as the players gathered for the coin toss.
Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano MartĂnez, who had made crucial saves throughout the tournament, once again stepped up. France's Kylian MbappĂ©, fresh off his hat-trick, stepped up first for France and calmly converted his penalty, sending MartĂnez the wrong way. Then came Lionel Messi for Argentina. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he too held his nerve, sending Lloris the wrong way and putting Argentina 1-0 up in the shootout.
The second round saw Kingsley Coman step up for France. His shot was saved brilliantly by Emiliano MartĂnez, who guessed correctly and pushed the ball away! This was a massive moment, giving Argentina a significant advantage. Paulo Dybala then stepped up for Argentina and calmly slotted his penalty home, making it 2-0 to the Albiceleste.
France's Aurélien Tchouaméni was the next to take his penalty. He aimed for the far post, but his shot went wide, a crucial miss that further tilted the scales in Argentina's favor. Leandro Paredes then stepped up for Argentina and converted his penalty with confidence, extending their lead to 3-0.
Up stepped France's final designated penalty taker, Randal Kolo Muani, who scored with power to make it 3-1. The pressure was now immense on Gonzalo Montiel, the Argentine defender who had conceded the penalty in extra time. Could he seal the victory? He stepped up, took his run-up, and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, scoring Argentina's fourth penalty! France had scored two penalties, Argentina had scored four. The final whistle, in a sense, blew for Argentina's triumph.
Argentina had won the World Cup! The scenes of jubilation were incredible. Lionel Messi, after years of dreaming and coming close, had finally lifted the one trophy that had eluded him. The full match replay culminated in pure ecstasy for Argentina and heartbreak for France, who fought valiantly. It was a final for the ages, a testament to the unpredictable and magical nature of the beautiful game. This FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France full match replay will forever be remembered as one of the greatest finals in football history. A true spectacle of skill, drama, and emotion.
