By Carlos Ramírez Zago
Argentina is the champion of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022—it becomes a three-time world champion.
Argentina, who came to the World Cup as champions of America, achieved what they dreamed of so much: to be world champions. Led by Messi, who gave an incredible performance in the World Cup, the Albiceleste team defeated France in one of the best finals in the history of soccer.
Argentina started the match winning at minute 23 with a penalty kick goal by Messi after a controversial play with a non-existent penalty on Ángel Di María, which the referee did not bother to review in the VAR. Minutes later, Angel Di Maria made it 2-0 at 36-minutes to go into the break with a two-goal lead.
The match seemed to be decided, but Mbappé scored the first for France in the 80th minute from the penalty spot to give life to the European team. A minute later, in the 81st minute, Mbappé scored again to tie the match and send it to extra time. It was there where Messi scored the third goal for Argentina and gave the advantage in the 108th minute. It seemed that Argentina would be champion after 120 minutes but in the 118th—penalty, again, Mbappé scored his hat trick and the game was going to be defined in the penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Argentina with an exceptional definition and with «dibu» Martinez on fire, defined the championship by 4-2 and were proclaimed champions of the world in Qatar.
The revenge came for Leo Messi with his national team after being defeated by Germany in the World Cup of Brazil 2014. Eight years later Messi would lift the so dreamed-of World Cup in front of more than 80 thousand people in the Lusail Stadium.
Argentina suffered but achieved their goal. They started this World Cup on the wrong foot when they were defeated by Saudi Arabia 2-1. It seemed that they could be out, but on the second day of the group stage they defeated Mexico 2-0 without any problem. In the third match they qualified to the round of 16 against Poland. A score of 2-0 was the result and the Albiceleste qualified to the round of 16.
In the round of 16 they faced Australia, a somewhat close match that was complicated at times but was no obstacle for Messi and company, winning 2-1. It was in the quarterfinals where they faced the Netherlands in one of the most cardiac matches of Qatar 2022. The match ended 2-2 and in the penalty shootout 3-4—and Scaloni’s team advanced to the semifinals.
For the semifinals, Croatia, who had just eliminated the favored Brazil, was the runner-up of the World Cup. The match was a surprise for everyone as the Albiceleste won 3-0 to reach one more World Cup final where they would be proclaimed champions against France, who was looking for a second title.
If there is one thing Argentina showed us, it is the grit, the passion, the love, the spirit with which you should represent your nation. They put the name of Latin America on high and are deservedly the world champions—and of course winner of a special World Cup dedicated to the sky for «El Diego», the symbol of Argentinean soccer.
Now all that remains is to start a new countdown towards Mexico, the United States, and Canada in 2026.
Long live soccer!
