By Obaloluwa Joshua LAGOS
Argentina claimed the World Cup title for the third time following a 4-2 penalty shootout win against France.
The game ended 3-3 after 120 minutes of thrilling football action.
Argentina dominated the early exchanges and looked more dangerous going to forward.
Juventus winger Angel Di Maria wasted a glorious chance on 20 minutes shooting wide after he was set up Messi.
Olivier Giroud also headed wide for France a minute later.
Di Maria won a penalty for Argentina on 22 minutes after he tripped inside the box by Ousmanne Dembele.
Messi expertly slotted the ball into the net sending goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
La Albiceleste doubled their advantage 13 minutes later.
Di Maria fired home after he was set up by Alexis Mac Allister.
France manager, Didier Deschamps made two substitutions late in the first half.
Giroud and Dembele were replaced by Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani.
Argentina continued their dominance after the break created a number of half chances.
France wobbled through with Kylian Mbappe firing wide from inside the box in the 70th minute.
Les Blues reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time.
Kolo Muani was fouled inside the box by Nicholas Otamendi and Mbappe sent the ball home despite Emiliano Martinez diving the right way.
The holders leveled two minutes later courtesy of a superb shot from Mbappe.
France took total control of the game afterwards, but it was Messi, who came close to scoring a late winner for with Lloris tipping his shot to the bar.
The game went into extra-time and Argentina were the better side in the first 15 minutes.
Lionel Scaloni’s side regained the lead in the 108th minute through Messi.
France fought back once again with Mbappe scoring his third of the game from another penalty.
Argentina won 4-2 on penalties to win the game.
