Di countdown to di 2026 World Cup don start, but before we look ahead, make we yarn about di greatest final wey ever play.
Since 1930, 22 World Cup finals don happen. Eight require extra time, and three go to penalty kicks. Argentina versus France for Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022, na di one wey get everything: 30 minutes extra time, penalty shootout, and Lionel Messi finally win im first World Cup title.
Messi open di scoring for 22nd minute with penalty kick after Ousmane Dembélé foul Ángel Di María. Argentina lead, and historically, dat mean good luck for finals.
Fourteen minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister pass to Di María, who finish am to double Argentina lead. France coach Didier Deschamps see say im lineup no dey work, so im bring Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani for Dembélé and Olivier Giroud for 41st minute.
Argentina control di match well into second half. But for 80th minute, Nicolás Otamendi foul Kolo Muani inside box, give France penalty. Kylian Mbappé score. Den just 97 seconds later, Mbappé equalize with stunning volley. Di 88,000 fans for Lusail Stadium no fit believe wetin dem see.
Extra time first half end 2-2. For 108th minute, Messi score im second of di match to give Argentina lead again. But for 118th minute, Gonzalo Montiel handball give France another penalty, and Mbappé complete im hat trick.
Penalty kicks look likely. France get final chance with 20 seconds to play, but Emiliano Martínez save Kolo Muani shot. Di match go to penalties, third time for World Cup final history.
Argentina make all four kicks. Kingsley Coman shot save, and Aurélien Tchouaméni miss wide. Montiel, wey cause di handball, score winning penalty. Argentina win third World Cup title, first since 1986. Dem become second team to win after losing opening match, join Spain 2010.
Na Messi last World Cup, and di question na whether im and Argentina fit repeat for 2026 and top di drama of 2022 final.
