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Brazil and Argentina both lose World Cup qualifiers
  + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +3 min
CNN —Brazil and Argentina both suffered defeats in their qualifying matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. For the Seleção, the 1-0 defeat against Paraguay was particularly concerning as it marked the team’s fourth defeat in the past five qualifiers. The result leaves the five-time World Cup winner fifth in the standings with the top six sides automatically earning a spot in the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. It was otherwise a lackluster showing from Brazil, which enjoyed 71% of possession but produced only three shots on target. Argentina has six wins from its eight World Cup qualifying games and sits two points ahead of Colombia, still unbeaten with four wins and four draws, in the standings.
Persons: Diego Gómez, Gómez’s, Guilherme Arana’s, Júnior Alonso, Vinícius Jr, Gatito Fernández, Jorge Saenz, Dorival Júnior, , Marquinhos, ” Albiceleste, James Rodríguez, Mosquera’s, Rodríguez, Ricardo Mazalan, González, Nicolás, Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni Organizations: CNN —, US, Copa, Ecuador, TV Globo, Reuters, Colombia, Argentina, Copa América Locations: CNN — Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Canada, Mexico, Asunción, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia Argentina, Barranquilla, Colombia
Lionel Messi and the unmistakeable sense of an ending
  + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Jack Lang | ) www.nytimes.com   time to read: +5 min
And Lionel Messi is not a player who goes down for nothing. A second or two later, the camera returned to Messi, zooming in on the most recognisable face in football. For Messi, wherever he treads in this extended career outro, is always accompanied by the unmistakable sense of an ending. Post-game, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said that Messi didn’t want to come off but his injury rendered any other option redundant. Advertisement“I’m lucky I can do something I’m passionate about,” Messi said in the Apple documentary about his American adventure.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Messi, Leandro Paredes, , , , there’s, Juan Mabromata, Lionel Scaloni, Messi didn’t, “ Leo, Lautaro Martinez, Tata Martino, Leo, ” Messi, Buda Mendez, Chandan Khanna, Ray Orr Organizations: Messi, Messi gambol, ESPN Argentina, Getty, Inter Miami, MLS, Apple Locations: Argentina, United States, Mexico, Canada, , AFP, Miami
A Lionel Messi-less Argentina beat Colombia to win a record-breaking 16th Copa America title after a dramatic final in Miami. The win sees Argentina break a tie with Uruguay for all-time most in the competition’s long history. Say hello to your 16-time CONMEBOL Copa America™️ champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/45aNRFmQhI — CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 15, 2024Angel Di Maria signed off with a title with this game — a 145th appearance for his country — his last for Argentina. They then beat Canada for a second time in the semifinal to reach a fourth final in five attempts. That streak ended in Miami, however, with Argentina taking the title and defending the crown they won four years ago in Brazil.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Lautaro Martinez, , ike Organizations: Copa America, Argentina, CONMEBOL Copa America Locations: Argentina, Colombia, Miami, Uruguay
Headed into Tuesday’s semifinal against Canada, Messi had gone four games without finding the back of the net, including a failed Panenka in a penalty kick shootout against Ecuador in the quarterfinal. The Athletic was at the match to dissect the key plays…How did Messi score his first goal of Copa America 2024? Argentina’s second goal started with a Messi burst into the Canada penalty area. Messi is now onto 109 goals by scoring his first goal of this summer’s Copa America to double the Argentine lead against Canada. Messi, 37, is 21 goals behind the record holder, his great rival, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo who has 130 goals.
Persons: Paul Tenorio, Felipe Cardenas, Joshua Kloke, Adam Crafton Lionel Messi, Messi, Enzo Fernandez, Maxime Crépeau, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio, Rodrigo De Paul, Koné, Messi opportunistically, Li, sy, c. J, Jo Organizations: Canada, Ecuador, Copa America, MetLife, Canadian, Copa, Australia, Qatar, MESSI, AMERICA, eads Locations: Argentina, New Jersey, Canada
Messi missed Argentina’s opener but penalty king Emiliano Martinez saved Argentina’s blushes, stopping Ecuador twice to see his side progress to the last four. Every time Messi floated wide to try to get on the ball in space, Ecuador closed down with multiple defenders. Lisando Martinez, unmarked at the far post, calmly headed the ball into the net to score his first goal for Argentina. Through the first 30 minutes, Ecuador had fairly good control of the game. On the ball, Ecuador was pushing quickly up the field, especially through the left side and Jeremy Sarmiento.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez, Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s, , ” Martinez, Logan Riely, Felipe Cardenas, Paul Tenorio, Emi Martinez, Angel Mena, Julian Alvarez, Alan Minda, Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, John Yeboah, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Enzo Fernandez, Paul Tenorio Valencia, Valencia, Mac, Juan Mabromata, Argentina …, He’s, hasn’t, Ecuador’s, Lisando Martinez, Charly Triballeau, Felipe Cardenas Emi Martinez, Aston, Lionel Scaloni, Jeremy Sarmiento, Moisés, Sarmiento, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, , ” Emiliano Martinez, ” De Paul, ” What’s Organizations: Copa America, Peru, Ecuador, NRG, Houston, Messi, Copa América, Chelsea, Qatar, Venezuela, Valencia, Valencia didn’t, Getty, Argentina, Olimpico, Mercedes, Benz, Aston Villa, Canada, MetLife Locations: Argentina, Ecuador, AFP, Valencia, Atlanta, Venezuela, Canada, New Jersey
Mexico needed to beat Ecuador in their final Group B match to advance to the Copa America knockout stage, but all they could manage was a 0-0 draw. AdvertisementMexico managed to score just one goal in 270 minutes across group play in a dismal tournament for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. GO DEEPER Mexico vs Ecuador threatened with stoppage over homophobic chantingAnd Ecuador’s prize for holding off Mexico? Stuart James and Thom Harris assess the key talking points…Will Argentina be worried by what they saw in this match? In between times, Gimenez never stopped running the channels, seeking out the long balls that Mexico hoped would bring some joy.
Persons: Stuart James, Thom Harris, Argentina, Alan Franco, Piero Hincapie’s, Enner Valencia, Alexander Dominguez, Steph Chambers, Santi Gimenez’s, Santiago Gimenez, Gimenez, Henry Martin, Raul Jimenez, Gerardo Arteaga, Orbelin Pineda, Jaime Lozano, Johan Vasquez, Chris Coduto, What’s, Felix Sanchez, Lionel Scaloni, , We’ve, Chris Cuduto Organizations: Copa, Argentina, Bayer Leverkusen, Copa America, Feyenoord, Jamaica, CONMEBOL, Getty Locations: Mexico, Ecuador, Copa America, Spanish, Houston, Argentina, Venezuela, Los Angeles, Europe, AFP, Houston , TX, ” Mexico
Messi was off to the side of the pitch for a few minutes in the first half. Argentina pressed on with one or two offensive plays without him, as Argentina’s trainer worked on Messi’s upper right leg area. Chile did not record a shot in the first half (their first came in the 72nd minute) as Argentina dominated possession. But victory came for Argentina after two quick corner attempts – the first with Messi yet again attempting the elusive Olimpico. Argentina’s final game is against Peru (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL) and Canada face Chile (Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, FL).
Persons: Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi, Felipe Cardenas, Melanie Anzidei, , Messi, Tata Martino, Tim Nwachukwu, Andres Matonte, “ dos, Ricardo Gareca Organizations: America, MetLife, Messi, Inter Miami, Copa America, Uruguayan, ARGENTINA Locations: Argentina, Chile, Chilean, U.S, Argentina’s
CNN —For just the second time in the tournament’s 108-year history, the Copa América will be played outside of South America. “Today, all I think about is to get well to the Copa América and play it. The squad for the 2024 Copa América is largely inexperienced, with 15 players on less than 10 caps for their country. UruguayPerennial overachiever Uruguay once again goes into a Copa América among the favorites to win the title. The nation of just 3.5 million people holds the joint record alongside Argentina for most Copa América titles won with 15.
Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Messi, , ” Messi, Ángel Di María, Catherine Ivill, Lionel Scaloni, , he’s, ” Scaloni, Leo, Di María, West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá, Neymar, Brazil’s, Vinícius, , Fernando Diniz, Dorival Júnior, Vinícius Jr, Marcelo Bielsa, Argentina –, Ander Gillenea, Luis Suárez, Giménez, Ronald Araújo, Federico Valverde, Matt Turner, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, Ron Jenkins, Gregg Berhalter’s, , Juan Antonio Pizzi, Ricardo Gareca, Marcelo Hernandez, Alexis Sánchez, Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, Cafeteros, Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno, Luis Díaz, James Rodriguez, David Ospina, Yerry Mina Organizations: CNN, Copa, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF Nations League, Nations League, América, Brazil, Messi, Argentine, Star, , Copa América, , Beijing, Getty, England, USA, Real, La Liga, League, overachiever, Argentina, CONCACAF, US, Panama, Uruguay, Copa Américas, Roja, La Roja, Qatar Locations: South America, United States, US, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Panama, Costa Rica, Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Qatar, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Real Madrid, Uruguay, overachiever Uruguay, AFP, Colombia, Washington, Bolivia, Russia, Peru, Paraguay, Albania, France, Marseille, Colombia Colombia
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Lionel Messi's Argentina squad celebrated like they'd won the World Cup again after a dramatic 1-0 win over archrival Brazil on Tuesday. It was Brazil's first home defeat ever in World Cup qualifying, a game that was delayed because of a brawl between fans in the stands. It was also the first time since 2009 that the five-time World Cup winners failed to score in a home game. Political Cartoons View All 1262 ImagesMessi left the pitch in the 78th minute amid a mixture of jeers and applause from Brazil fans. The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will include 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the top six teams from South America.
Persons: — Lionel Messi's, they'd, Messi, Nicolás, Fernando Diniz, they're, Ángel di Maria, , Rodrigo de Paul, kneeled, Cristian Romero, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, Dibu Martinez, Otamendi, Lionel Scaloni, Endrick, Joelinton, ___ Organizations: RIO DE, archrival Brazil, Maracana, Inter Miami, South, Copa America, Brazil, , FIFA Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, — Lionel Messi's Argentina, Brazil, Barcelona, Argentine, Argentina, Rio de Janeiro, Maracana, Rio, Qatar, ” Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, Bolivia, Montevideo, Peru
"Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well ... "These players have given a lot to the coaching staff and I need to think a lot about what I'm going to do. "These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. "We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue," Argentina defender Cristian Romero told reporters. "Let's see now he will have time to think, he didn't say anything in the dressing room about it.
Persons: Lionel Scaloni, Scaloni, It's, Lionel Messi, Cristian Romero, Fernando Kallas, Nick Mulvenney Organizations: RIO DE, South, FA, Copa America, Thomson Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Argentina, Qatar
CNN —Brazil suffered its first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on Tuesday, as Argentina earned a 1-0 win on a night of violence and chaos at the iconic Maracanã stadium. However, the match was overshadowed by violence in the stands which delayed the start of the World Cup qualifier. The Inter Miami forward first led his teammates over to the stand where the fighting was taking place and pleaded with both the police and Argentina fans – some of who were seen throwing ripped out seats at the security officials – for calm. “The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters after the match, per Reuters. Wagner Meier/Getty ImagesThere are 18 rounds in South America’s World Cup qualifying system, with the top six teams progressing to the 2026 event while the seventh-placed country will go into the FIFA play-off tournament, which will involve six countries from other continents.
Persons: Nicolas Otamendi’s, Lionel Messi, , Aston, Emi Martinez, Ricardo Moraes, Messi, , , ” Messi, Lionel Scaloni, ” Scaolini, “ It’s, Fernando Diniz, Wagner Meier, CNN’s Duarte Mendonça Organizations: CNN, The Inter Miami, Aston Villa, Brazilian Football Confederation, FIFA –, CONMEBOL, CBF, RJ Military Police, Argentine, didn’t, Reuters, Argentina, Fluminense, Copa Libertadores, FIFA Locations: Argentina, Brazil
Messi still in doubt for Paraguay qualifier, says Scaloni
  + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
Oct 11 (Reuters) - Argentina captain Lionel Messi is still a doubt for the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday. Messi was included in the world champions' squad despite being sidelined by the muscle problem he sustained month which has kept him out of action for his U.S. side Inter Miami. Scaloni said the 36-year-old forward had been training well ahead of the match on Thursday. "We know that they are important absentees but those who come (to replace them) are very capable and can even stay," Scaloni added. Argentina host Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires before facing Peru in Lima on Oct. 17.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, Messi, Scaloni, Angel Di Maria, Angel Correa, Paulo Dybala, Angelica Medina Organizations: World, Paraguay, Inter Miami, AS Roma, Estadio Monumental, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City
Messi to lead Argentina in opening World Cup qualifiers
  + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Panama - Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - March 23, 2023 Argentina's Lionel Messi during the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will lead world champions Argentina in their opening World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia, the captain's first internationals since joining Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni's 32-man squad also features stalwarts including Angel Di Maria, who returned to Benfica this year, and defender Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina host Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7 and travel to play Bolivia five days later. SquadGoalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Franco Armani (River Plate). Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (AS Roma), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayern Leverkusen) and Bruno Zapelli (Athletico Paranaense).
Persons: Lionel Messi, Agustin Marcarian, Lionel Scaloni's, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, Alan Velasco, Bruno Zapelli, Lucas Esquivel, Lucas Beltran, Paulo Dybala, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Atalanta, Emiliano Martinez, Aston, Walter Benitez, Franco Armani, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Athletico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Thiago Almada, Ramiro Sandolo, Janina Nuno Rios, Ed Omsond Organizations: Soccer Football, Estadio Monumental, REUTERS, Argentina, Ecuador, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Benfica, FC Dallas, Athletico Paranaense, Italy's Fiorentina, AS Roma, Ajax Amsterdam, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Nottingham Forest, Villarreal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Lyonnais, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Bayern Leverkusen, Fiorentina, Inter, Manchester City, Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Panama, Buenos Aires, BUENOS AIRES, Bolivia, Ecuador, Real, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Olympique, Benfica, Brighton, Liverpool, Athletico, Inter Milan, Manchester
May 10 (Reuters) - Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni said he does not care where Lionel Messi plays his club football as long as he feels comfortable and happy. French media on Tuesday reported that a move to a Saudi club was a "done deal", adding that the Argentina captain was in the process of finalising details before signing a contract. "Let him go to where he will feel comfortable with his team mates and the club's fans," Scaloni told Qatar's Al-Kass channel. "The matter does not affect us as a national team as long as he's happy when he joins us and we need him to be happy." Messi, who apologised to PSG and his team mates last week, returned to training on Monday.
World Cup winner Scaloni renews contract with Argentina to 2026
  + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
Feb 27 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has extended his contract until 2026, the country's FA said on Monday after he led the team to their World Cup triumph in Qatar last year. Scaloni renewed his contract after meeting with AFA president Claudio Tapia in Paris on Monday, taking him through to the next World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. "Claudio Tapia and Lionel Scaloni met to close the extension of the contract as coach of the Senior Selection until 2026," the AFA said in a statement. Scaloni, 44, gave the squad captained by Lionel Messi a thorough overhaul, winning the Copa America in 2021 plus the 'Finalissima' against Italy and World Cup in 2022. We continue to strengthen the national team project, together with Lionel Scaloni, the world champion coach," said Tapia, who is in Paris to attend FIFA's 'The Best' Awards.
[1/8] Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Salle Pleyel, Paris, France - February 27, 2023 Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi winner of The Best FIFA Player award 2022 REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was named FIFA player of the year 2022 on Monday as Argentina scooped all major men's awards after winning a vintage World Cup final last December. "I want to express my thanks to (coach Lionel) Scaloni and my team mates, without them I would not be here," Messi added. It's a dream for any player, very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so." Spain's Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, was named women's player of the year after inspiring Barcelona to a third consecutive national title in 2022. Polish amputee Marcin Oleksy won the Puskas prize for best goal of the year for a spectacular acrobatic volley with Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow.
Messi greater than Maradona, says Argentina coach Scaloni
  + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
Jan 17 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has surpassed Diego Maradona as the greatest player of all time, Argentina's World Cup winning coach Lionel Scaloni has said. He is the best of all time although Maradona was also great," Scaloni told Spanish radio station Cope on Tuesday. Scaloni also revealed that he prioritised speaking to Messi when he was named Argentina coach in 2018, while the forward was taking a break from international duty following the disastrous World Cup in Russia. That's what we did and eight months later he came and found an incredible group," Scaloni added. He is an incredible guy, his personality has given so much to the group," Scaloni added.
Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
  + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +3 min
Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.
[1/4] Fermin Robilotte, 27, gets a tattoo of Argentina's soccer star Lionel Messi, after Argentina's soccer national team won FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 21, 2022. After a night of revelry, many flocked to the city's tattoo parlors to commission designs depicting Messi, the team's star player who led Argentina to a third World Cup win. The day after Argentina beat France on penalties in a nail-biting final, Arguello said the phone in his studio had been ringing non-stop with questions about tattoos of Messi, the World Cup and Argentina flags. De Winter is preparing a large-scale design of the entire "Scaloneta", as the Lionel Scaloni-coached national team is known. Reporting by Magali Druscovich; Writing by Maximiliano Heath and Sarah Morland; Editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Thousands of fans lined up in the middle of the night to try to get a glimpse of the Argentina soccer team that won one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time ahead what is scheduled to be a day of celebrations in Buenos Aires. Throughout the trip, Messi held on the World Cup as players waved to fans and often sang along with them. Argentina's Lionel Messi holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. As the plane got closer to Argentine soil, almost 200,000 people were tracking its path online and news channels gave live coverage of the arrival. In the afternoon, people started arriving at the airport and outside the AFA headquarters in hopes of getting a glimpse of the team.
LUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Argentina led France 2-0 at halftime in the World Cup final on Sunday after Lionel Messi netted his sixth goal of the tournament and Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage from a thrilling counter-attack. Argentina dominated the opening stages and earned the penalty when Di Maria was fouled by Ousmane Dembele, with Messi sending France keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to move to the top of the goalscoring charts in Qatar. Thousands of Argentina fans in blue and white outnumbered the handful of French supporters, creating an electric atmosphere and effectively converting the Lusail Stadium into a home game for Lionel Scaloni's side. The second goal came when Argentina countered down the right flank through Alexis Mac Allister, who crossed the ball to the far post where Di Maria steered a shot past the onrushing Lloris to the delight of the fans. Reporting by Rohith Nair, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Argentina win incredible World Cup final in shootout
  + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +4 min
Summary Argentina win World Cup for third time after 3-3 drawMessi scores two and nets in shootoutMbappe scores hat-trick as France come from 2-0 downSecond World Cup final penalties defeat for France after 2006LUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Argentina won their third World Cup in an extraordinary final on Sunday as they beat France 4-2 on penalties after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down. Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty, becoming the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick after England's Geoff Hurst in 1966. Argentina have now won six of their seven World Cup shootouts, including the quarter-final against the Netherlands a week ago when they also blew a 2-0 lead, while France have lost three of five, but with two of those defeats coming in finals. It seems all the more incredible coming a month after his team began the tournament by suffering statistically the biggest upset in World Cup history when they were beaten by Saudi Arabia. He and Messi both converted the opening spot-kicks of the shootout but then had to stand back and let their team mates decide their destiny.
But then Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to level 3-3 in the 118th minute with France's second penalty that forced the shootout. "There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this. It was the third world title for Argentina and the first since the late Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986. "Having the chance to win the World Cup with my country is priceless. We had to suffer but we deserved to win" said Argentina defender Rodrigo De Paul.
The less than magnificent shootout seven:Jamie Carragher, England v Portugal, 2006 World Cup quarter-final. =Marcus Rashford, England v Italy, Euro 2020 final. =Sancho, England v Italy, Euro 2020 final. Italy missed their fifth attempt, which left Bukayo Saka with the chance to keep the shootout going but his was also saved and Italy were European champions. =Badr Benoun, Morocco v Spain, World Cup 2022, last 16.
Stopping the stars won't be enough to win World Cup
  + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +5 min
DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Despite the high profile performances of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Qatar, Argentina and France can create danger all over the pitch, so stopping the superstars is only one battle in Sunday's World Cup final war. England were quick to double-team Mbappe whenever he picked up the ball and Argentina, probably through Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul, will try to do the same. Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have both been excellent in Doha, with the latter expected to return after missing the semi-final through illness. As hundreds of opponents before them can attest, there is no real way to plan to keep him quiet. In general, the two attacks look stronger than the two defences, which, for the neutral at least, is always a good thing in a World Cup final.
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