Lionel Messi scored from the spot for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final against France at Lusail Stadium. La Albiceleste got an early lead with the goal, and Angel Di Maria doubled it with a brilliant counter-attack goal that saw them up by two goals at the end of the first half.
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The first half looked one-sided through and through. Les Bleus could not find any ground to play on as Argentina dominated both on and off the ball. French star Kylian Mbappe, who is also Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint Germain, was kept under control by the Argentine defender Cristian Romero.
Argentina held 60% of the possession in the match, managing a total of six attempts on goal out of which three were on target. As opposed to the brilliant show by the South Americans, France’s 40% possessions did not lead to any attempts on goal from them.
Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps made two changes in the first half itself, taking off Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud and replacing them with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kalo Muani.
In spite of the changes, the French still managed to produce no shots on target in the first half.
A lot is at stake for the Argentine today as the whole world looks up to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in his final appearance in the tournament.
With the goal from the penalty, he overtook Mbappe and went ahead of him in goal count. If things stay this way at the end of the second half, Messi will be winning the golden boot award as well.
