Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Qatar. They defeated France in a thrilling penalty shootout after the game ended 3-3 after extra time. This was Argentina's third World Cup title, their first since 1986.
The tournament was held from November 20 to December 18, 2022, and featured 32 teams competing for the coveted trophy. Argentina's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, as they overcame several challenges throughout the tournament.
Here are some key highlights of Argentina's journey to victory:
- Group Stage Dominance: Argentina started their campaign with a 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia, but they bounced back with victories over Mexico and Poland to secure their place in the knockout stages.
- Knockout Stage Triumphs: They defeated Australia in the Round of 16, the Netherlands in a dramatic quarterfinal, and Croatia in a dominant semifinal.
- Final Showdown: The final against France was a captivating encounter that went down to the wire. Argentina took a 2-0 lead, but France fought back to level the score in the 80th minute. Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick forced the game into extra time, where Lionel Messi scored a penalty to give Argentina the lead once again. However, Mbappé scored another penalty in the 118th minute to tie the game at 3-3.
- Penalty Shootout Victory: In the penalty shootout, Argentina emerged victorious, with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the winning penalty.
Lionel Messi was named the Player of the Tournament, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. This victory was also a fitting tribute to his incredible career, as he finally achieved the ultimate prize in international football.
