Argentina’s goalkeeper produced a stunning effort to deny Kolo Muani a last-minute winner and force a penalty shootout in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
In a dramatic final at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina defeated France 4-2 (3-3) to win their third FIFA World Cup title on Sunday.
Lionel Messi’s long wait to win the coveted trophy came to an end in Qatar thanks to the outcome, and the captain of Argentina played a huge role in the team’s victory. After a 120-minute emotional roller coaster, Messi scored two goals and calmly converted a penalty kick in the shootout. France was successful in chasing Argentina’s lead twice.
Kylian Mbappe twice held France scoreless; first from 0-2 down in the 80 and 81st moment, and afterward in additional time, minutes after Messi had given Argentina the lead.
Ultimately, Argentina won because Aurelien Tchouameni’s shot went wide of the left post and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stood tall to stop Kingsley Coman. For Argentina, Gonzalo Montiel converted the game-winning penalty kick to win the World Cup.
However, if Martinez hadn’t made exemplary goalkeeping in the 120th minute of the match, the game might not have ended up going to penalties at all.
Kolo Muani was one-on-one with Emiliano Martinez when France broke into a counter at 120’+3; Otamendi had missed the through ball, but the goalkeeper spread out to block the French forward’s shot with an incredible save, forcing a penalty kick.
Prior, Kylian Mbappe put in a performance for the ages In the world Cup final against Argentina, however, it demonstrated clashing as he left the game sorrowful. Mbappe saved his team twice from defeat, making him the second player to score three goals in a World Cup final.
Messi, on the other hand, joined Pelé, a record-breaking three-time World Cup champion, and Diego Maradona, the late Argentine great to whom Messi often compared himself, in a select group of the greatest football players ever to have won a World Cup title.