Argentina's World Cup Triumph: Reflecting on Messi's Historic Victory One Year On

A significant day etched in the memories of Argentina and its fans, marking the one-year anniversary of their World Cup victory. On this date, Messi's Argentina secured their third World Cup title by defeating France in a thrilling tiebreaker. Lionel Messi, renowned for his accomplishments with Barcelona and PSG, had one notable gap in his illustrious career – a World Cup win.

SBS Desk

December 18, 2023

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Argentina's World Cup Triumph: Reflecting on Messi's Historic Victory One Year On

In the 22nd edition of the world's premier tournament held in Qatar, Messi's Argentina triumphed, clinching the golden trophy and completing a stellar career. The historic moment unfolded on December 18, 2022, at the iconic Lucille Stadium, where Argentina emerged victorious in a tense final against powerhouse France with a 4-2 scoreline in the tiebreaker.

The final match, celebrated as one of the best in World Cup history, witnessed Messi scoring two goals, while Angel Di Maria added another for the sky blue jersey holders. On the opposing side, Kylian Mbappé showcased his brilliance with a hat-trick for the French.

With the score deadlocked at 2-2 at the end of regular time, both teams netted a goal each in the extra 30 minutes, leading to a 3-3 tiebreaker. Lionel Scaloni's team emerged triumphant, thanks to the remarkable tenacity of Emiliano Martinez.

Messi's stellar performance included seven goals throughout the World Cup, earning him the tournament's best player award. Additionally, Martinez received recognition as the best goalkeeper for his outstanding contributions beneath the posts. This victory not only filled the void in Messi's career but also solidified Argentina's place in football history.