The 2022 FIFA World Cup final in images
By Mitch Wilks
Argentina and France played out to perhaps the greatest World Cup final of all time as La Albiceleste beat Les Bleus on penalties to win the trophy for a third time.
The two nations played out a historic 120 minute classic and took the game all the way to spot kicks, where Argentina ran out 4-2 winners to ensure Lionel Messi capped off a sensational performance by lifting the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
Lionel Scaloni's side dominated the opening 45 minutes, taking a deserved 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Messi and veteran Angel Di Maria.
Despite France looking down and out, Kylian Mbappe of course popped up at the death to fire in a sensational brace and force the game to extra time. The first a coolly taken penalty, the second a breathtaking volley to level the game.
Extra-time. Master vs apprentice. Game on.
Messi struck again 108 minutes into what was now a game for the ages. But again, just as Les Bleus looked down and out, Mbappe fired back one more. 118 minutes on the clock, a second penalty, a third goal. Penalties beckoned.
Unlike Brazil, whose biggest star missed the chance to take a decisive penalty as they crashed out in the quarter-final, Mbappe stepped up first for France, as did Messi for Argentina. Both converted, but missed efforts from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni opened the door for Lionel Scaloni's side, and Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to ensure they lifted the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
In a final that truly had it all, here are some of the greatest images from the night.
