A World Cup last for the ages conveyed a delegated brilliance for soccer symbol Lionel Messi on Sunday as Argentina beat ruling men’s top dog France on extra shots.

Quite possibly of the most sensational major game in history had the groups tied 3-3 after additional time, with the French at last missing two times in the shootout before Gonzalo Montiel changed over completely to seal a debilitating and close to home triumph.

Argentina had overwhelmed the greater part of the match, driving 2-0 with pretty much 10 minutes to go, yet France burst into existence with star forward Kylian Mbappé scoring two times in as numerous minutes. The two sides exchanged botched opportunities and afterward late objectives again in the 30 minutes of additional time before the strain of extra shots.

The game covered a month of wearing show and international debate in Qatar. The competition highlighted shock results and fantasy runs, yet the last had two goliaths of the game vie for the title — featured by a couple of stars.

The rapid and capable Mbappé hardened his case as the youthful faker to Messi’s high position, scoring a full go-around as France verged on being the main group to return to back since Brazil in 1962.

In any case, it was Messi, 35, who took the brilliance, getting the prize that concretes his status as maybe the game’s most prominent ever player via fixing a third title for his soccer-frantic country.

Subsequently, he said he isn’t through.

“I’m not resigning from the public group. I need to keep playing as a boss,” Messi said in a Spanish-language interview with TyC Sports after the last. “It’s the most gorgeous thing there is.”

Argentines celebrate after scoring their first goal against France in the second half of an international football match, at Estadio do Sport in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A World Cup final for the ages delivered a crowning glory for soccer icon Lionel Messi on Sunday as Argentina beat reigning men’s champion France on penalty kicks to claim its maiden trophy at home.

A stunning strike from former Manchester City striker Antoine Griezmann settled a tense 80th-minute decider in which Neymar had fired France into history after netting his country’s opener with a solo effort and then converting two more penalties to seal victory for manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side in front of a record crowd of nearly 87,000 fans.

It was a fittingly dramatic end to one of Europe’s most pulsating tournaments ever held in the Spanish capital — it drew more than 19 million viewers across 60 countries to see Messi take center stage despite having missed the previous edition due to injury. The 33-year-old retired in 2020 but still plays every summer in a friendly tournament in which he has scored 98 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 matches in five years since joining from Barcelona last January.

“We knew nothing about him until he stepped onto the field,” Argentine forward Lionel Messi said. “We have been so happy watching him play. He is amazing. Hopefully we win another trophy, we will try again next year. We are not going to give up. It never stops.”

France was looking for a fourth successive title in a major tournament when they lost 1-0 to Germany at home a week ago and the mood was soured by the loss of leading scorer Karim Benzema on Saturday. With Les Bleus without the injured Kylian Mbappe and with only six fit players, it remained uncertain whether it would be able to find enough quality to overcome a weakened opposition that included England winger Raheem Sterling and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

The game began quickly thanks to a flurry of free kicks from Messi, who was enjoying what appeared to be early success, albeit from distance, before Brazilian defender Thiago Silva equalized shortly afterward. Despite some foul calls and some questionable defending, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon saved well twice before France midfielder Angel Di Maria put the home team in front on 63 minutes with a low left-footed shot past goalkeeper Martinez and moments later with a powerful chip over goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

France was even closer to opening the scoring nine minutes from time when Lewandowski put the ball between himself and keeper Kalidou Koulibaly. But, having already won the best part of three minutes, Kylian Mbappe headed wide, leaving Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni scrambling his way through the rest of the 90.

France led 3-1 at halftime after Messi got the better of Italy defender Nicolo Zaniolo, whose clearance struck midfielder Mauro Icardi, who nodded over the bar. Three minutes later, Gianluigi Donnarumma equalized for Argentina but it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that things began to unravel for the hosts. Neymar made sure of winning it, flicking home Frenkie de Jong’s cross with his heel and getting two yellow cards.

France didn’t manage to get back into the contest and Argentina’s dominance continued in the closing stages. Napoli midfielder Lorenzo Insigne showed just why he is considered one of Serie A’s young stars when he teed off in possession at a corner to turn and head past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while the same player was also involved in another late tackle on Ter Stegen to force a fine save from Leonardo Bonucci.

Laporta took charge of the celebrations on the podium as fans celebrated wildly, many leaping, diving and dancing around each other. In the stands, several people were pictured being given red Vests and shirts bearing his name along with those of his predecessors, including compatriot Paolo Maldini and Italian referee Franco Baresi.

Barely two weeks since French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to host this tournament as the world seeks to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, there were plenty of indications of how much it means to supporters back home for the nation that gave birth to Messi but now looks set to lose him after almost 16 years with the club.

“It is a dream come true. What you need to know is that this is his home. This is where he wants to grow up,” said fan Jacques Dubois who came to watch the final for his third consecutive season wearing a shirt bearing the logo of the Catalan league.

“I am very excited to see him go out. As long as there is a competition with fans, he can continue playing well,” added Dubois, who came with his girlfriend, Paula Rodríguez, to cheer Messi on when he arrived at training on Monday. Both women wore face masks in line with Italian health regulations but, unlike spectators, neither woman appeared fussed by any potential precautions as they gathered together for selfies and posed alongside Messi, posing in close proximity.

On Thursday, Messi’s sister, Maria Antonia, told reporters she was still trying to process that her brother might not be staying with them after returning home from Spain. She hoped “that tomorrow will bring good news, he’ll stay here,” she said.

“I don’t think my brother will leave. Of course our family is going to move, we’re going to find a house, to make life easier for him. Maybe it’s difficult for us, maybe it’s going to be difficult for him, but if everything goes well, we’re going to get married in Argentina next year. At least something.”

Still, both her mother and grandmother were emotional as they watched the final after celebrating her birthday with dinner at the local restaurant La Casa Rosada, near the stadium, decorated in street art depicting football greats like Diego Maradona and Pep Guardiola.

“I always dreamed of seeing my nephew on a big stage like this but he did it,” said Guillermo Crespail, who flew in from London. “Today I met his grandma too. She was very emotional because she doesn’t see him all the time, but she came to tell me how proud she was. Because she saw Messi do it.”