It’s World Cup final time as Argentina take on reigning champions France at the Lusail Stadium. Can Emi Martínez become the first Aston Villa player to win a FIFA World Cup?
As expected, Emi Martínez started his seventh consecutive and, most importantly, the final of the FIFA World Cup. Argentina had done well up to this stage, but could they go one better and win a third World Cup title, and the prestigious Lionel Messi his first on the big stage.
The South-American side started the better, dominating play and looking the far superior team in the early stages. Lionel Scaloni’s side were first to every ball and showed more of a willingness all over the pitch. France meanwhile, looked mediocre in and out of possession and lacked composure in the opening exchanges.
La Albiceleste’s (The White and Sky Blue) dominance would soon pay off in the 23rd minute when Angel Di Maria, making only his second start of the competition, won a penalty after winger Ousmane Dembélé fouled the Juventus star in the box. Naturally, Messi stepped up and put his nation ahead. 1-0 Argentina.
The Copa America champions would go two goals up just 13 minutes later, after a silky, counter-attacking move was finished off by Di Maria. France were clearly the weaker of the two teams and struggled with the intensity shown by their Argentinian counterparts. Manager Didier Deschamps made two changes just before the half, taking both Olivier Giroud and Dembélé off for Villa target Marcus Thuram and youngster Randal Kolo Muani.
Emi Martínez didn’t face a single shot inside the opening 45 minutes and his side looked the stronger heading into the break. A two-goal advantage looked promising, but given the form and character of the French side, you certainly couldn’t count them out just yet…
Scaloni’s team began the second-half just as strong and continued to control the tempo of play. Chances fell to both Julián Álvarez and Messi, but neither could convert to put the game to bed.
Up until the 80 minute, Les Blues could only manage one effort at goal as Kylian Mbappé blazed an effort over the bar. Soon after, substitute Thuram was fouled inside the area by former Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi and Mbappe would step up to half the deficit.
This goal completely changed the game’s momentum and just 60 seconds later, Mbappé would bring the scores level. The Paris Saint-Germain talisman executed a well-hit volley into the corner of Martínez’s goal and suddenly it was all to play for in the final.
A late penalty shout for France was waved away by referee Szymon Marciniak and Lionel Messi’s 97th minute long-range effort was well saved by ‘keeper Hugo Lloris, keeping the scores level after normal time.
Argentina appeared to find a second wind in extra-time after finding it difficult to compete against the world champions in the closing 15 minutes of regular time. A double substitution, bringing both Lautaro Martínez and Leandro Paredes into the fray, would change things for Scaloni’s side and it was the forward Martínez who would see the better of the first-half chances, but to no avail.
A breakaway from Argentina early into the second-half of extra-time would result in the game’s fifth goal however. Tidy work from the blue and white front-line left Lautaro Martínez with a sight of goal, his effort was parried but Lloris, but Messi was on hand to convert the rebound for 3-2.
It was advantage Argentina heading into the closing exchanges, but that man Kylian Mbappé lit the touch paper once again after winning his side a second penalty of the game, following Gabriel Montiel’s handball in the 116th minute. The 23 year-old striker would step up and score to complete his hat-trick on the night. Penalties would follow…
Heroics were needed once again from Emi Martínez as the World Cup final was ready to be settled on a penalty shootout (for only the third time in it’s history).
Mbappe, typically, would step up and fire his penalty home for 1-0, closely followed by Lionel Messi, who brought the the scores level. Then, Martínez would do what he does best and produced a top quality save from 12 yards, denying Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman.
It was advantage Argentina once again after Paulo Dybala buried his spot-kick and it finally looked like it was going to be the year for Messi and his side. Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni would miss the target next, before Paredes put his opportunity away, leaving the scores at 3-1 Argentina.
Frankfurt’s Kolo Muani’s netted, but if right-back Montiel could finish, Argentina would be World Cup champions… and… he did! Wrong-sighting Lloris, the Sevilla defender would send the Argentine fans into raptures, clinching a third World Cup title for his nation. Vamos!
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SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
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TOURNAMENT AWARDS
The tournament’s four award-winners…
EMI’S ROUTE TO WORLD CUP GLORY
SEMI-FINAL VS CROATIA
QUARTER-FINAL VS NETHERLANDS
ROUND OF 16 VS AUSTRALIA
GROUP STAGE GAME THREE VS POLAND
GROUP STAGE GAME TWO VS MEXICO
GROUP STAGE GAME ONE VS SAUDI ARABIA
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
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