The 2022 World Cup came to a close with a most dramatic of finals. Six goals, penalty kicks and high drama throughout meant Argentina and France served up one of the best showpiece fixtures in living memory.
Here is your daily wrap.
Messi finally completes the set
It was meant to be. Lionel Messi, at the fifth attempt, finally became a World Cup winner as Argentina secured a penalty shoot-out victory over France following a pulsating 3-3 draw in which the Albiceleste skipper had scored twice. Having led 2-0 only to be pegged back by a Kylian Mbappe double, then retaken the lead in extra-time thanks Messi only for Mbappe to again deny them, Lionel Scaloni's side could easily have felt sorry for themselves. Instead they netted all four penalties from the spot as the greatest player of the generation completed the full set of trophies at both club and international levels.
France pay the price for 80-minute no-show
While everyone will remember what Mbappe served up in Lusail, becoming only the second player in history to score a World Cup final hat-trick, the truth is that France paid the price for taking so long to cause Argentina any trouble. It has been a surprise run to the final for them, given the lost of a number of key starts both before and during the tournament, but they still ought to have done more before the 80th-minute goal from Mbappe that finally got them back into the contest.
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Wisdom of bisht gift spoils Messi's moment
Many people watching the World Cup final were left questioning the wisdom of Lionel Messi being asked to wear a bisht as he lifted the World Cup trophy. An iconic image of the Argentina number 10 lifting the famous golden prize - the first time it has happened since the late, great Diego Maradona led the Albiceleste to glory in 1986 - was compromised by the sight of Messi's shirt being obscured by the traditional Arabic cloak, handed to him by the Emir of Qatar moments before the trophy lift.
For many onlookers, this was the latest in a number of questionable decisions made by Fifa and the local organising committee, even putting aside the much-debated human rights issues which had been in the 12 years preceding the tournament. There was also the extraordinary 49-minute wait for the trophy ceremony following Gonzalo Montiel's winning penalty.
Southgate stays on for Euro 2024
The English FA have confirmed that Gareth Southgate will stay on as England head coach until the end of his contract in the summer of 2024. Southgate had said after last week's World Cup elimination that he would take some time to think about his future, but the Euro 2020 finalist will now lead his nation to the next European Championship in Germany in 18 months' time.
"We are delighted to confirm that Gareth Southgate is continuing as England manager and will lead our Euro 2024 campaign,” FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. "Gareth and [assistant manager] Steve Holland have always had our full support, and our planning for the Euros starts now."
Messi speaks of 'God-given' triumph and says he'll play on
The World Cup-winning captain said that he felt Argentina's triumph was destined by God, explaining afterwards: “I knew that God was going to give it to me, I had a feeling that this was mine... This was the trophy I wanted all my life. This was my dream from childhood.”
And he went on to confirm to TyC Sports that he'll keep playing for the national team, for whom he has now scored 98 goals. “I’m not retiring from the national team. I want to continue playing as a champion."
In the short term, the celebrations back home are at the forefront of Messi's mind. "We can't wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy the celebrations are going to be.”
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