The World Cup Trophy in numbers

The game’s greatest tournament has officially come to an end, but its ending was something not even Hollywood writers could script. Arguably the most exciting and extraordinary final, billions of fans across the globe could never seem to leave the edge of their seats. 

Throughout the match fans felt nearly every emotion from excitement, heartbreak, passion, to everything in between. However, what truly made this match special was the fight from both sides throughout the entire match, whether they were up or down. 

Starting off with France, the reigning World Champions started the match looking as though they had never been there before. A slurry of passes and clearances that directly went to the Argentine front line, instantly had us thinking that Argentina would dominate the match. It wouldn’t be the fairytale ending for football’s G.O.A.T. unless we saw him put at least one in the back of the net for Argentina. With an early penalty for Argentina we got what we’ve been waiting for, Messi’s championship goal, making him the only man to score in every knockout stage matchup. Again, the G.O.A.T.

After Messi put Argentina up early in the half, Argentina’s energy seemed to ramp up even more putting France on their heels early in the first half. Later in the first half a huge goal from Angel Di Maria put the blue and white up 2-0 early and forced France into a near panic going into halftime. 

As we turned to the second half, many French fans had lost hope for the rest of the match and Argentina fans were sitting on top of the world. Throughout the second half, both sides saw their fair share of opportunities, but it wouldn’t be until very late into the second half that France would register their first shot on goal.

Just like Argentina, France’s first and arguably most important goal would come from a hand ball in the box from an Argentine defender. Who better to step up for the French than the superstar and legend in the making Kylian Mbappe. The heroic 23 year old stepped up to the spot and buried the goal that would be the game changer in the 80th minute of the match. 

After stepping up for the french, it would be just moments later that Mbappe struck yet again to put the two sides level for the first time in the match. The late heroics from the youngster would send the two nations into overtime, putting on one of the most spectacular shows in the tournament’s long and storied history.

Overtime was filled with just as many dramatic moments and unbelievable heroics as regulation. The first period of overtime remained scoreless, but it was the second period of overtime that saw the dramatics turned all the way up. Just three minutes into the second period of overtime Messi’s heroics put the Argentine side on top yet again, but just 10 minutes later Kylian Mbappe spoiled that party, sending the match up to penalties. 

If this final had not already been inherently exciting, going into penalties was just the cherry on top. Just like regulation this shootout was nothing short of dramatic, exciting, and even heartbreaking. Right off of the toss France was at a disadvantage shooting in front of Argentina’s massive traveling fan base as well as being the first to take their penalties. 

As France stepped up for the shootout, who better to take the first kick than the hero himself. After already netting two penalties back-to-back sending France to this point of the match, what’s one more. Mbappe stepped up and buried his penalty in the back of the net, which would prove to be a challenge for the French side. After Mbappe buried his penalty, no one other than Lionel Messi himself would step up and be the first Argentina player to bury their PK. 

What proved to be France’s weakness was their lack of shootout experience during the tournament. Unlike Argentina, France had not been tested in overtime and not had the worry or stress of a shootout. This lack of experience saw two back-to-back misses and saves from the French side that would ultimately see Messi and Argentina take home the title. 

This huge win would not only cement Messi’s legacy into football’s hall of fame, but would prove that the European run in football’s trophy case is coming to a swift close. 

What are your thoughts on this historic final match up? Let us know in the comments!