Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup title in Qatar last year, defeating France in the final. In a thrilling encounter, both sides drew 2-2 in regular time, and held each other to a 3-3 scoreline in extra-time. With the match entering penalties, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reigned supreme as Argentina secured a 4-2 shootout win.
It was also their first World Cup title, 36 years after their second one. In a recent interview, Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria gave some insight into the final and made a massive Lionel Messi revelation.
Speaking to journalist Sofi Martinez Mateos, Di Maria stated that he didn’t perform his pre-match ritual and also Messi did something, which he hadn’t done in his side’s victorious Copa America campaign. “When I put on the shirt, I usually start praying. I have my Jesus there, my Virgin Mary, my cross, and on my phone, I have a photo of my wife and my daughters. I always light a candle but the final was the only match in my career that I didn’t ask, I gave thanks for the moment I was going to live. While I was giving thanks, a few tears fell, and Leo (Messi) also spoke.”
“It was not like at the Copa America, it was more direct … I wanted with my life to be able to win it, and thank God, it happened”, he further added.
Argentina first took the lead in the 23rd-minute when Messi converted a penalty after Di Maria was fouled in the French penalty box. Then a quick counter in the 36th-minute saw Alexis Mac Allister assist Di Maria, who made it 2-0 in stunning fashion.
Edging towards a disastrous defeat, France made a comeback as Kylian Mbappe came to the rescue, levelling proceedings in 97 seconds. In the 80th-minute, the PSG attacker scored a penalty to make it 1-2 after Kolo Muani was fouled. Then in the 81st-minute, he made it 2-2 with a stunning volley. As the match entered extra-time, Messi made it 3-2, tapping in after a deflection of Hugo Lloris in the 108th-minute. but Mbappe had other plans and converted a penalty to make it 3-3 and also completed his hat-trick.
In the shootout, Martinez saved to deny Aurelian Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman. Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty as Argentina won 4-2 in the shootout.
