As millions of people watched the FIFA World Cup final, the greatest spectacle on earth, the scorching desert sun at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium couldn’t equal the passion in their hearts. Argentina took against the formidable France, the reigning champions, led by their hero Lionel Messi. Under the floodlights, it was a titanic battle for fate.
Tension was in the air from the very first kickoff. Spurred on by the enthusiastic applause of their supporters, Argentina dominated the first game. Messi was knocked down by a poor tackle inside the French box just after the whistle blew. A gasp echoed through the seats as the referee pointed to the location. With the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders, Messi—the man with the golden touch—stepped up. The net rippled in a jubilant frenzy as he sent the ball hurtling towards the top corner. France 0, Argentina 1!
The fans’ faces were a sea of joy as the goal released a tsunami of blue and white. However, France started to fight their way back, hurt but unbroken. Their youthful sorcerer, Kylian Mbappé, glided through the Argentine defense, leaving a path of stunned defenders in his wake. His attempt whizzed past the goalie and narrowly missed, clipping the crossbar in a painful moment.
Argentina was holding onto their lead at the end of the first half, their pulses pounding like drums. The first part of the second half ended abruptly. It was 2-0 when Di Maria, another Argentine icon, found himself in the area unmarked and volleyed the ball into the net! Tears of pleasure mixed with the sand of the desert as the stands sprang open.
But the French had not come to surrender. Mbappé responded with two goals in as many minutes after being let loose. One was a powerful shot from outside the box, and the other finished coolly after taking out three defenders. With the score tied at 2-2 and the tension greater than Qatari oil, the stadium held its breath.
The last few seconds were an incredible rollercoaster. With his head buried in his hands, Messi blew a fantastic opportunity. The winner was virtually in the bag for Mbappé, a whirl of speed and fury, but his shot clanked against the post. More time came, a merciless prolongation of the suffering.
Then, Argentina scored once again in the final moments of extra time. Young attacker Lautaro Martinez headed home a corner, desperate for recognition. The stadium burst into a tidal wave of ecstatic bliss. 3-2! This has to be it!
But France would not submit; it would not go to ground. Mbappé, a phoenix rising from the ashes, accomplished his hat-trick with a penalty in the final seconds. 3–3. The whistle came for another terrible twist in the game: a penalty shootout, not for joy.
For every team, five steely nerves came forward. Messi placed his penalty home with the composure of a desert moon. The French keeper, Lloris, made the correct guess but was unable to reach. Argentina wins 1-0. Mbappé took a step forward, the weight of the world pressing down on him. A gasp reverberated around the stadium as his shot soared over the bar. Still 1-0.
The gunfight went on, a merciless game of chance. The Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez grew into a behemoth, stopping two penalties from France. The blue and white hope brightened a bit with each save. With the golden trophy hanging in midair, Lautaro Martinez finally took the field. When he fired the ball into the net, the stadium’s very foundations trembled, shattering the quiet. Argentina had prevailed!
Messi finally raised the World Cup, tears flowing down his face. After much pursuit, the desire was eventually fulfilled. He was lifted upon his comrades’ shoulders like a monarch being carried by his subjects. There was a chorus of joy that echoed over the desert as the people cheered.
It will always be remembered as one of the best finals ever to have taken place in Qatar that night. Argentina were champions again, their captain honored. The song of victory, a tune of ardor, tenacity, and aspirations coming true, was carried by the desert winds. It was a night that would live on in the stars forever for Argentina and Lionel Messi.
