Lionel Messi finally fulfilled his World Cup dream as Argentina claimed their third penalty shootout crown in one of the greatest finals in tournament history.
Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game that turned into the much-anticipated showdown between maestro Messi, 35, and his French counterpart Kylian Mbappe.
The French superstar scored a hat-trick – the first in a FIFA World Cup final since 1966 – but still found himself on the losing side at Lusail Stadium.
Messi looked to comfortably secure the only significant honour missing from his scintillating collection as Argentina took a two-goal lead.
Everything changed when an explosive intervention from Mbappe, who scored two goals less than two minutes late, turned a frenetic and magnificent game for the ages upside down.
Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Ousmane Dembele fouled Angel di Maria. This made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, a round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament.
He then provided a delicate touch in a magnificent counter-attack which ended with Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later.
Argentina was unbothered until the closing stages, only for Mbappe to give France a lifeline from the penalty spot nine minutes from time – then restore equality with magnificent volley moments from the end. later.
Messi bundled Argentina back in front in extra time, but Mbappe completed his treble from the spot two minutes after a frantic, chaotic added spell.
And so it went to penalties, with the two greats opening the scoring. But Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup.
Messi, a World Cup winner at last, collapsed to his knees in the centre circle and was engulfed by jubilant Argentina teammates.