{"id":161671,"date":"2022-12-18T22:39:07","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T22:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/lionel-messi-lifts-argentina-to-world-cup-title\/"},"modified":"2022-12-18T22:39:07","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T22:39:07","slug":"lionel-messi-lifts-argentina-to-world-cup-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/lionel-messi-lifts-argentina-to-world-cup-title\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi lifts Argentina to World Cup title"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-grBDNq hide-for-print mb-sm undefined\">\n<div class=\"PJLV PJLV-iAjpuP-css flex items-center\" config=\"[object Object]\" data-qa=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-fLphcs\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-jmLDag wpds-c-jmLDag-bywHgD-variant-primary wpds-c-jmLDag-biynoz-density-compact wpds-c-jmLDag-hZSyid-isOutline-true wpds-c-jmLDag-ejCoEP-icon-left wpds-c-jmLDag-futxca-cv wpds-c-jmLDag-iknmtxO-css\"><button aria-label=\"Comment\" class=\"PJLV PJLV-iPnDcc-css\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"wpds-c-kKAfCG wpds-c-efqEZa focus-highlight flex items-center justify-center brad-lg pointer transition-400 ease-in-out transition-colors\" aria-label=\"Comment on this story\"><title>Comment on this story<\/title><path d=\"M14 14V2H2v9.47h8.18L12.43 13ZM3 10.52V3h10v9.23l-2.5-1.66Z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<p>Comment<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"teaser-content grid-center\">\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">LUSAIL, Qatar \u2014 A World Cup final of preposterous goals and unfathomable turns, of sure victory torn on two occasions from a country starved for the trophy, of an unfazed foe seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since Pel\u00e9&#8217;s Brazil 60 years ago, of two cosmic stars trading goals and genius over 120 captivating minutes, was decided at its simplest form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">It seemed unfair, after waves of pulsating if imperfect soccer Sunday produced the greatest championship game theater this tournament has ever seen, a penalty kick shootout would have to settle the winner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">But when Gonzalo Montiel planted his attempt into the left corner, clinching a 4-2 tiebreaking victory following a dizzying 3-3 draw, Argentina did not care what means were necessary.  For the first time since 1986, La Albiceleste were world champions \u2014 and their immaculate attacker, Lionel Messi, could finally add the last piece of glory to his extraordinary career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cIt&#8217;s just crazy that it became a reality this way,\u201d Messi said.  \u201cI craved for this so much.  \u2026 I had the feeling that this [World Cup] was the one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Messi, 35, scored twice and played a role in another goal, but the player on path to succeed him as the world&#8217;s best, France&#8217;s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, recorded a hat trick before a sellout crowd of 88,966 at Lusail Stadium.  He became the first men&#8217;s player to do so in a World Cup final since England&#8217;s Geoff Hurst in 1966.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">&#8216;Argentina endures&#8217;: In Buenos Aires, emotional celebrations of a World Cup victory<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Two days short of his 24th birthday \u2014 and 4\u00bd years after helping France win the trophy in Russia \u2014 Mbapp\u00e9 won the Golden Boot as the tournament scoring champion with eight goals.  Messi finished with seven.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div data-qa=\"article-video\" class=\"ma-auto\" style=\"max-width:300px\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"pt-xs mb-md mr-auto-ns ml-auto-ns hide-for-print flex flex-column items-center ml-neg-gutter mr-neg-gutter\"><figcaption>\n<p>On Dec.  18, after a three-hour match, fans celebrated Argentina winning the World Cup.  (Video: The Washington Post)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">It was an astonishing match.  France recovered from a two-goal deficit late in regulation, both Messi and Mbapp\u00e9 scored in the second half of extra time and Argentina&#8217;s Emiliano Mart\u00ednez made a remarkable save to force the shootout.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cThe match was completely insane,\u201d Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">In the shootout \u2014 the first in a World Cup final since 2006 \u2014 Mart\u00ednez made two saves and his teammates converted all four attempts.  Mart\u00ednez was also the hero in the quarterfinal against Netherlands, a penalty kick shootout necessitated by Argentina&#8217;s failure to lock down a two-goal lead late in regular time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina&#8217;s previous World Cup triumph came in June 1986 at Mexico City&#8217;s Estadio Azteca \u2014 a year before Messi was born.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cThese players played for their people, for their Argentine fans,\u201d said Scaloni, who, at 44, is the youngest winning coach since 1978. \u201cEveryone was pulling in the same direction.  It is the greatest feeling to play for your country.  The players understood what they had to do.  We are very happy and very proud.  Today we are champions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">For Messi, the championship capped a frustrating journey after four unsuccessful bids.  It had been eight years since Messi&#8217;s first appearance in a World Cup final ended in defeat to Germany.  It had been six since a short-lived retirement, sparked by another Argentina shortfall in a major tournament, Copa America, after which he declared: \u201cI&#8217;ve tried very hard to be champion with Argentina.  It hasn&#8217;t happened.  I am not able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div data-qa=\"article-video\" class=\"\">\n<div>\n<figure class=\"pt-xs mb-md mr-auto-ns ml-auto-ns hide-for-print ml-neg-gutter mr-neg-gutter\"><figcaption>\n<p>Fans celebrate Argentina&#8217;s win against France in the World Cup.  (Video: ASSOCIATED PRESS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">With a World Cup title, Messi will finally join Argentine icon Diego Maradona as a global champion and put to rest criticism that he could not possibly be considered the greatest player of all time because he had not won the sport&#8217;s most prestigious trophy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Messi&#8217;s fortunes began to turn last year when, for the first time, he won Copa America, the South American championship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">He entered this tournament saying it would be his final World Cup.  However, \u201cIf he wants to keep playing, he will be with us,\u201d Scaloni said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina roared into the World Cup on a 36-game unbeaten streak \u2014 only to lose the group opener to unheralded Saudi Arabia.  Since that setback, Argentina went unbeaten and led 2-0 in each match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">Latin Americans rally behind Messi \u2014 but not Argentina<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">France was attempting to win consecutive titles for the first time since Pel\u00e9 and Brazil had done it in 1958 and &#8217;62.  With three key starters lost to injury before the tournament, Les Bleus figured to fall into the second tier of contenders and only dream about another trophy.  Yet here they were after defeating England in the quarterfinals and warding off Morocco&#8217;s upset bid in the semifinals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">On Sunday, their title hopes were fading when Mbapp\u00e9 scored in the 80th and 81st minutes, about 90 seconds apart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cWe managed to come back from the dead,\u201d French Coach Didier Deschamps said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">From the start, Argentina was fresher and hungrier.  France couldn&#8217;t keep up.  Argentina was curious in the attack, probing for the opportunity to pierce France&#8217;s flat resistance and put its stamp on the match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cWe just didn&#8217;t show the same energy\u201d as in previous matches, Deschamps said, \u201cand that&#8217;s why for the first hour or so, we weren&#8217;t in the match.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">&#8216;\u00a1Abuela la la la!&#8217;  Argentina&#8217;s viral dancing World Cup lucky charm<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Mbapp\u00e9 was left obsolete.  He rarely touched the ball, even rarer when he possessed it in a dangerous position.  As 20 minutes passed, the match remained scoreless, but the reigning champions were growing increasingly troubled by the proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina&#8217;s breakthrough came in the 23rd minute on Messi&#8217;s penalty.  What led to it was simple sloppiness and lax defending by France&#8217;s Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9.  Angel Di Mar\u00eda cut the ball back so sharply near the end line, Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 was left in the dust.  A nudge, followed by a slight clip of Di Mar\u00eda&#8217;s heels, sent the Argentine winger sprawling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Messi&#8217;s conversion rate is below world-class standard, but in this moment, he took care of business by skipping his 12-yard shot into the right side as Hugo Lloris committed the other way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina&#8217;s second goal was elegant, sophisticated and rollicking \u2014 a counterattack executed to perfection that flowed from one end to the other in a matter of seconds and with economical touches on the ball.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">It began in the 36th minute with Rodrigo De Paul winning the ball and supplying Alexis Mac Allister, who set up Messi for a clever touch wide to Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez at midfield.  All the while, Mac Allister continued to make a run.  \u00c1lvarez one-touched the ball ahead to Mac Allister rushing into green space.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">Morocco ends its World Cup with a loss, but speaks of the dreams it inspired<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">He made note of Di Mar\u00eda running free on the other side and, as he caught up to Alvarez&#8217;s pass at the top of the penalty area, he curled a cross that met Di Mar\u00eda in stride for a one-time finish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Deschamps and France were in a tight spot.  In the 41st minute, he made the highly unusual decision of substituting not one, but two players before intermission.  Off came Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and striker Olivier Giroud (four goals).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">In the second half, France played with greater urgency and risk, but Argentina was up to the task.  As the championship seemed to draw near, the crowd chanted, \u201cMess-i, Mess-i!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">France was not ready to concede.  Argentina&#8217;s Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi dragged down substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the box, and with Mbapp\u00e9&#8217;s penalty kick slipping under Martinez&#8217;s glove, France was back in it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Everything was flowing France&#8217;s way.  In control most of the cool night, Argentina was now the one in enormous trouble.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Adrien Rabiot lifted the ball to Mbapp\u00e9, who headed it down to substitute Marcus Thuram at the top of the box.  Mbapp\u00e9 left Nahuel Molina in his wake.  Thuram flicked it back to him.  With a swivel of his torso, Mbapp\u00e9 got full power behind a 15-yard volley that beat Mart\u00ednez to the far lower corner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Remarkably, the match was tied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cWe had the game under control,\u201d Mart\u00ednez said, \u201cbut we were destined to suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina was fortunate to not lose in regulation.  Mbapp\u00e9 loomed over every foray.  Deep in stoppage time, Lloris was called on to make a leaping save on Messi&#8217;s 25-yard rocket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">For the fourth time in five World Cup finals, extra time awaited.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Argentina had three chances late in the first 15-minute period, but in each case, French defenders intervened.  There was no stopping Messi at the start of the next session.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Lloris made an outstanding reflex save on Lautaro Mart\u00ednez&#8217;s angled bid, but Messi was in place to push the rebound over the goal line in the 108th minute, an instant before Jules Kound\u00e9&#8217;s clearance.  He became the oldest player to score twice in a final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">Kylian Mbapp\u00e9&#8217;s captivating, cascading World Cup joy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">France was not finished, and after Montiel used his arm to block a shot, Mbapp\u00e9 stepped to the penalty spot again in the 118th minute and converted the penalty kick.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Kolo Muani could have won it in extra time&#8217;s stoppage time, but Mart\u00ednez made a brilliant one-on-one save.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cHe really left his mark on this final,\u201d Deschamps said of Mbapp\u00e9.  \u201cUnfortunately he didn&#8217;t leave it the way he would have liked.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">Mbapp\u00e9 will undoubtedly enjoy many more unforgettable moments on soccer&#8217;s greatest stage.  On Sunday, he ceded it to Messi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css font-copy\">\u201cSo many times I dreamt it,\u201d Messi said.  \u201cSo much I wanted it.  I can&#8217;t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-jjHkyS hide-for-print\">\n<div data-qa=\"content\" class=\"wpds-c-bBtBOR wpds-c-bBtBOR-iPJLV-css\">\n<h3 data-qa=\"linkbox-headline\" class=\"wpds-c-jtAZFm\">World Cup in Qatar<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wpds-c-eynqHn\"><b>The latest:<\/b> Argentina has won the World Cup, defeating France in penalty kicks in a thrilling final Sunday in Lusail, Qatar, for its first world championship since 1986. Argentina was led by global soccer star Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance .  France was bidding to become the first repeat champion since Brazil won consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wpds-c-eynqHn\"><b>Today&#8217;s WorldView: <\/b>In the minds of many critics, especially in the West, Qatar&#8217;s World Cup will always be a tournament shrouded in controversy.  But Qatar&#8217;s foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, wants people to take another view.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wpds-c-eynqHn\"><b>Perspective: \u201c<\/b>America is not a men&#8217;s soccer laughingstock right now.  It&#8217;s onto something, and it&#8217;s more attuned to what&#8217;s working for the rest of the world rather than stubbornly forcing an American sports culture \u2014 without the benefit of best-of-the-best talent \u2014 into international competition.\u201d  Read Jerry Brewer on the US men&#8217;s national team&#8217;s future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hide-for-print\" data-testid=\"collections__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-iRrQDa wpds-c-iRrQDa-ibLfOyz-css\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-eZQlgr\">\n<div data-qa=\"styled-package-label\"><label class=\"wpds-c-izoWfM wpds-c-izoWfM-jPiQqD-size-md wpds-c-izoWfM-iPJLV-css\"><\/p>\n<p>What to know about the World Cup<\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button alt=\"view more stories\" class=\"wpds-c-jmLDag wpds-c-jmLDag-SQjOY-variant-secondary wpds-c-jmLDag-biynoz-density-compact wpds-c-jmLDag-hGNJMA-icon-center wpds-c-jmLDag-ikSMOab-css\">View 3 more stories<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"wpds-c-dJBvpf wpds-c-gmtmov\" aria-label=\"view more button\"><path d=\"m3.38 6 .71-.71L8 9.25l3.91-3.92.71.71L8 10.67Z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"dn-ns hide-for-print\" data-testid=\"mostRead\" subscriptions-section=\"content\"\/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Comment on this story Comment LUSAIL, Qatar \u2014 A World Cup final of preposterous goals and unfathomable turns, of sure victory torn on two occasions from a country starved for the trophy, of an unfazed foe seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since Pel\u00e9&#8217;s Brazil 60 years ago, of two cosmic stars trading goals &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/lionel-messi-lifts-argentina-to-world-cup-title\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Lionel Messi lifts Argentina to World Cup title<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Lionel Messi lifts Argentina to World Cup title - harchi90<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/__i\/rss\/rd\/articles\/CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9zcG9ydHMvMjAyMi8xMi8xOC9hcmdlbnRpbmEtbGlvbmVsLW1lc3NpLXdvcmxkLWN1cC13aW4v0gEA?oc=5\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lionel Messi lifts Argentina to World Cup title - harchi90\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Comment on this story Comment LUSAIL, Qatar \u2014 A World Cup final of preposterous goals and unfathomable turns, of sure victory torn on two occasions from a country starved for the trophy, of an unfazed foe seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since Pel\u00e9&#8217;s Brazil 60 years ago, of two cosmic stars trading goals &hellip; 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Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images Lionel Messi of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":161545,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/lionel-messi-inspired-argentina-wins-world-cup-title-after-beating-france-in-sensational-final\/","url_meta":{"origin":161671,"position":1},"title":"Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina wins World Cup title after beating France in sensational final","date":"December 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"CNN \u2014 Lionel Messi's wait for World Cup glory is finally over after Argentina beat France in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday. It was a final for the ages, with momentum swinging both ways throughout a pulsating 120 minutes before Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty after the game\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":161597,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/what-was-lionel-messi-wearing-during-world-cup-trophy-lift\/","url_meta":{"origin":161671,"position":2},"title":"What was Lionel Messi wearing during World Cup trophy lift?","date":"December 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Lionel Messi capped his brilliant career by lifting the World Cup trophy on Sunday evening.Messi scored twice as Argentina and France played out a 3-3 draw after extra-time. He then helped his side win the penalty shootout.But as he went to lift the trophy, he was pictured and filmed wearing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"lionel messi","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.theathletic.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/12\/18142439\/GettyImages-1450115385-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":163340,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/did-lionel-messi-ignore-celebrity-chef-salt-bae-during-world-cup-celebrations-watch\/","url_meta":{"origin":161671,"position":3},"title":"Did Lionel Messi Ignore Celebrity Chef Salt Bae During World Cup Celebrations?  watch","date":"December 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Celebrity chef Salt Bae trying to congratulate Lionel MessiThe world is under the daze of Lionel Messi and his Argentina team after they won the FIFA World Cup 2022 by defeating Kylian Mbappe's France in the final. wild celebrations followed the triumph. The footballers were joined by the support staff\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Did Lionel Messi Ignore Celebrity Chef Salt Bae During World Cup Celebrations?  watch","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c.ndtvimg.com\/2022-12\/8smtth9o_messi-ignores-salt-bae_625x300_20_December_22.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":161913,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/watch-lionel-messis-table-dance-with-world-cup-trophy-in-dressing-room\/","url_meta":{"origin":161671,"position":4},"title":"Watch: Lionel Messi&#8217;s Table Dance With World Cup Trophy In Dressing Room","date":"December 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Lionel Messi led Argentina from the front in a tense final against defending champions France to help his country win the FIFA World Cup title for the third time. 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Lionel Messi and his men were greeted by millions of fans as they got the top of a bus with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/TI6OXP3BVAE7HRILQO7RGBOVHU.JPG&w=1440","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161671"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161671\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}