Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec 19: Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick on Sunday was ineffective as Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, ultimately prevailed in the World Cup on penalties.
Argentina maintained complete control of the game up until Mbappe ignited an astonishing comeback from France, resulting in a 3-3 tie after extra time. Messi scored a brace and Di Maria added one.
Of the two teams, Argentina got off to the better start. Alvarez was in goal after a Di Maria pass in the third minute, but Hugo Lloris comfortably stopped the ensuing attempt.
In the fifth minute, Alexis MacAllister attempted to score but his effort went straight at Lloris. Varane deflected a shot from De Paul as the Albiceleste persisted in pressing the French goal.
It took France until the 13th minute to launch an offensive with Mbappe at the forefront. But it swiftly lost steam. Di Maria had a fantastic chance to score the first goal as Argentina remained aggressive. His shot, though, soared high above the bar and into the crowd.
A free kick was awarded to France outside the penalty area, close to the left side, and Griezmann’s cross was attempted by Giroud but failed miserably. The French striker considered it to be a foul on the defence.
Dembele subsequently gave up a penalty in the game’s 21st minute after tripping Di Maria. In the 23rd minute, Messi took the penalty kick and buried it to the left of Lloris to give Argentina the much-deserved lead.
The Albicelsete were still in charge of the match and making the decisions as France was unable to put anything together that was helpful. In the 36th minute, Messi created a fantastic team move that ended with Alvarez scoring Argentina’s second goal. The ball was then passed from the striker to MacAllister, who set up Di Maria for a shot that beat Lloris.
In the 41st minute, Giroud and Dembele were replaced by Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram as France made a double substitution in an effort to get back into the game. Argentina was clearly in charge at the interval, with France still having a lot to accomplish.
