Lionel Messi finally captured the one accomplishment that had eluded him for the entirety of his brilliant career: a World Cup victory.
In what was likely his fifth and final World Cup–and in his record-setting 26th game appearance at the World Cup, Messi led Argentina to a win over France in an unforgettable final in Lusail, Qatar. After clinging to a 2–0 lead through the first 80 minutes of the match, La Albiceleste yielded two goals to the French in a matter of two minutes, eventually sending the game into extra time. Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé then each scored in the extra period, sending the match to penalty kicks at 3-3.