Qatar World Cup: Fairytale ending for Messi – Argentina beat France in penalty shootout

Argentina have won the World Cup after a thrilling final which saw them take the lead and then lose it again twice before winning a penalty shootout.

With the win Lionel Messi finally won the biggest prize in soccer, scoring two goals and contributing to the triumph on penalties.

His role in his country’s historic victory helps cement his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

The genius forward has scored 793 goals for club and country, but his cool finishes in Qatar may be the sweetest of his career.

Argentina are now champions of world football for the third time, lifting the gold trophy for the first time since 1986.

Kylian Mbappe almost won glory for his country, scoring a hat-trick as France came back twice to equalise and send the game to penalties.

The South American side took the lead half-way through the first half, after a foul in the box by France winger Ousmane Dembele led to Messi scoring his sixth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot.

Later, a thrilling counter-attack down the right flank through Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister to feed Angel Di Maria, who scored Argentina’s second.

France pulled back a goal after a foul on Kolo Muani led to another penalty, which was slotted home by Kylian Mbappe.

Just 90 seconds later, it was Mbappe again, putting France level with a stunning volley.

The score was 2-2 after full-time forcing an extra 30 minutes of play to decide the result.

In extra-time, Messi scored again, knocking in on the rebound, despite Kounde’s efforts to clear off the line.

Mbappe then drew France level again with a penalty – becoming only second player after Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

On to penalties and it was Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez’s moment of glory, saving a shot from Kingsley Coman and watching Aurelien Tchouameni fire wide.