Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina midfielder:"We were born to suffer; we are going to suffer all our lives, but I will never forget this. We are deserving winners. To be champions, we had to beat the previous champion – and we did it. This is a joy that I cannot explain. The first half was very good. In the second, we made our mistakes, but we knew how to move forward. I dedicate it to all Argentines and to all the people who supported us.”
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# Who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup? Final score, result and highlights from Qatar title decider

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Argentina are the world champions. From the moment Lionel Messi put the Copa America holders ahead in the 23rd minute of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France, Lionel Scaloni's side looked determined to deny the reigning champions as they survived a late comeback and penalties to storm to a stylish triumph in the first ever winter tournament in Qatar.

Captain Messi will take many of the headlines, scoring twice to win the World Cup for the first time and very possibly saving the best of an extravagantly brilliant career for last in a showpiece he had hinted could be his international swansong.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had often struggled - by his stratospheric standards - to reach his best at the World Cup. This time, at 35, he became the first player to score in every round of a single tournament in the modern World Cup format, leading the way to a glory long-pursued in his extraordinary career.

Here's a look at what happened in the final, who scored and what was said, as well as some of the highlights.

## FIFA 2022 World Cup final score, result

Final score: Argentina 3, France 3 (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)

Argentina beat France on penalties in the final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium to ensure they would not have to wait at least 40 years for a third World Cup title, triumphing for the first time since 1986.

Les Bleus had looked imperious at times on their way to the final but were well off their best for much of normal time – perhaps because of a flu outbreak that had swept through their camp in the days beforehand, but compounded by their opponents' composed dominance.

Kylian Mbappe has established himself as Messi's pretender to become the finest striker in the game. With 10 minutes to go, Messi's Paris Saint-Germain teammate scored twice in two minutes to rescue his side from the brink in scarcely believable fashion, levelling the match at 2-2.

With penalties looming, Messi found the answer Argentina so badly wanted. The talisman completed a slick move, with France's appeals failing as they desperately tried to claim his finish had not crossed the line, yet still it was not enough to see off France.

Mbappe completed his hat-trick with a ruthless penalty two minutes from time, only to see his team fail from the spot twice as they surrendered their trophy by the narrowest of margins.

## FIFA 2022 World Cup final goalscorers

After Messi's early opener, Di Maria scored in the 36th minute to cause France head coach Didier Deschamps to make two substitutions before the break.

France still looked limp until Mbappe scored in the 80th and 81st minutes. Messi scored his second in the 108th minute, with Mbappe converting a penalty 10 minutes later.

Here's how the penalty shootout played out:

Player****Outcome****ScoreKylian Mbappe (France)Scored0-1Lionel Messi (Argentina)Scored1-1Kingsley Coman (France)Missed1-1Paulo Dybala (Argentina)Scored2-1Aurelien Tchouameni (France)Missed2-1Leandro Paredes (Argentina)Scored3-1Randal Kolo Muani (France)Scored3-2Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina)Scored4-2

## FIFA 2022 World Cup final highlights

Here's how Messi's first goal looked

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And here's Di Maria's strike

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This is how Mbappe gave France hope

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Here's how Mbappe levelled up the action

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Messi restores Argentina's lead in extra time

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Mbappe makes it 3-3 from the spot

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Glory for Argentina.

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## FIFA 2022 World Cup final: What they said

Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, speaking to TYC Sports:"Look at this cup: it's beautiful. We suffered a lot but we made it. We can't wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy that is going to be. It's crazy that it happened this way. I wanted it very much. I knew that God was going to give it to me, I had a premonition that it was going to be this way. Now to enjoy it.

"Obviously, I wanted to close my career with this. I can't ask for anything more. Thank God – he gave me everything. Almost closing my career like this is impressive. After this, what will there be?

"I was able to get the Copa America [in 2021], the World Cup… it came to me almost at the end. I love football, what I do. I enjoy being in the national team, the group. I want to continue for a few more games being world champion. It's anyone's little dream. I was lucky to have achieved everything and what I was missing is here.”

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach: “It's a time to enjoy. We are used to being under pressure – that's why we know how to persist through thick and thin. Being at the top is something unique, an incredible enjoyment. My dad and my mum taught me to never give up, not to go against anyone and always push forward. I was lucky to be here and I am grateful.

"I'm proud…today I'm free. This team only makes me proud – it's all theirs. I want to tell people to enjoy it because this is an historic moment."

Paulo Dybala, Argentina forward, on his penalty: “Going in like this [as a substitute], cold, wasn't easy – but my head was very good. The feeling we have now we will never have again.”

Leandro Paredes, Argentina midfielder:"There are no words for this. Not even in my best dream did I think about it. You have to enjoy yourself. I thought of all my family, how far I have come, my wife, my parents, those [no longer alive] who encourage me, those who accompanied us throughout the cycle.

Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina midfielder:"We were born to suffer; we are going to suffer all our lives, but I will never forget this. We are deserving winners. To be champions, we had to beat the previous champion – and we did it. This is a joy that I cannot explain. The first half was very good. In the second, we made our mistakes, but we knew how to move forward. I dedicate it to all Argentines and to all the people who supported us.”

Enzo Fernandez, Argentina midfielder:"Being here, having the chance to win a World Cup with my country is priceless. All my family are here. I will carry this forever in my heart.”

Emi Martinez, Argentina goalkeeper: “I stayed calm during the shootout. They scored three times but in the end, I did everything well. I came from a very humble place and when I was young I went to England. I want to dedicate this to my family."

Hugo Lloris, France captain:"There are no words to ease the pain. It's hard to find the words but we can be proud of what we did from start to finish.

"We didn't give up and we showed a lot of resilience in this final. We were a little too reactive. We can compare it to a boxing match: we went blow for blow. As we know, the difference between a finalist and a winner is enormous."

Didier Deschamps, France head coach: "For 60 big minutes, there was no game. Our opponents showed a lot of quality and aggression and we were less good, for different reasons.

"We came back from nowhere to overturn a very bad situation. That's what gives us even more regret. I congratulate this Argentina team who showed quality, aggression, even cunning. We expected it and that shouldn't take away their merit.

"There were a lot of emotions but it's cruel in the end. We came close to something we could have touched, but it was not to be. There are several reasons which led us to be below par, with several important players feeling less energy.

"Despite everything, with the inclusion of young players - certainly with less experience, but also with freshness and quality - we did what was necessary to give ourselves the right to dream. But the dream did not materialise."

Author(s)

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Ben Miller is a content producer for The Sporting News.

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