World Cup 2022: Argentina's Triumph in Qatar

Introduction: The Tournament That Had Everything

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was destined to be controversial, but few could have predicted it would become one of the greatest tournaments in football history. From the very first match to the final penalty kick, this World Cup delivered drama, shock results, record-breaking performances, and a final that many consider the greatest ever played. At the heart of it all was Lionel Messi, finally securing the one trophy that had eluded him, and in doing so, cementing his place in an eternal debate about who the greatest footballer of all time truly is. For background on the tournament structure, see our guide at /world-cup-group-stage-format-and-seeding.

Build-Up and Controversy

The awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in December 2010 was immediately controversial. Questions were raised about the bidding process, the suitability of a host nation with limited footballing tradition, and the extreme summer heat that necessitated a winter tournament for the first time in World Cup history. As the tournament approached, criticism intensified over Qatar's human rights record, the treatment of migrant workers involved in stadium construction, and the country's laws on LGBTQ+ rights.

FIFA, the Qatari organising committee, and various human rights organisations engaged in often tense exchanges throughout the build-up. Despite the controversy, the tournament proceeded as scheduled, kicking off on 20 November 2022 — the first World Cup not held in May, June, or July.

Group Stage: Shock, Drama, and Messi's Response

Argentina entered the tournament as one of the favourites, having won the Copa America in 2021 and boasting a 36-match unbeaten run. Lionel Messi, at 35 years old, was playing in what he confirmed would be his final World Cup. The opening match against Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium seemed a formality — Argentina took an early lead through a Messi penalty and looked in complete control.

Then came one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Saudi Arabia scored two goals in five minutes early in the second half, and despite Argentina pushing for an equaliser, the Saudis held on for a 2-1 victory. It was only the second time a team ranked outside the top 50 had beaten a team in the top five at a World Cup. For more on group stage upsets in World Cup history, see /world-cup/records.

The defeat shattered Argentina's unbeaten run and left them needing victories against Mexico and Poland to progress. Messi responded with a vintage performance against Mexico, scoring a long-range strike and providing an assist in a 2-0 win. Against Poland, Argentina won 2-0 with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez. Messi missed a penalty but dominated the performance. Argentina topped Group C with six points.

Round of 16: Australia

Argentina faced Australia in the Round of 16. Messi opened the scoring with a trademark finish from inside the box, becoming the first player to score in every round of a single World Cup knockout stage. Julian Alvarez doubled the lead after a goalkeeping error, and despite an own goal from Enzo Fernandez making the closing stages tense, Argentina held on for a 2-1 victory.

Quarter-Final: Netherlands — A Match for the Ages

The quarter-final against the Netherlands was arguably the most dramatic match of the tournament, until the final itself. Argentina led 2-0 through goals from Nahuel Molina and a Messi penalty. With minutes remaining, the Netherlands pulled one back through Wout Weghorst. Deep into stoppage time, a clever free-kick routine saw Weghorst equalise in the 101st minute, sending the match to extra time.

The match remained deadlocked through extra time, setting up a penalty shootout. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez became the hero, saving penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis. Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive penalty to send Argentina through. The match was as much remembered for the heated exchanges between both sets of players, with Messi confronting Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal in a post-match interview. For a full analysis of penalty shootout tactics, see our guide at /knowledge.

Semi-Final: Croatia

Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, stood between Argentina and the final. Having already eliminated Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals, Luka Modric's Croatia were battle-hardened. But Argentina produced their best performance of the tournament. Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being fouled by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Then Julian Alvarez produced a stunning solo run, bursting from halfway, benefiting from a deflection off a defender as he was fouled, and finishing. Alvarez scored a third in the second half, and Argentina were through to the final with a 3-0 victory.

The Final: Argentina vs France — The Greatest Final Ever

The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022 is widely considered the greatest final in World Cup history, and arguably the greatest football match ever played. For the history of previous finals, see our /world-cup/winners page.

First Half: Argentina Dominant

Argentina started the final at an extraordinary pace. Angel Di Maria, restored to the starting lineup after missing the semi-final through injury, was electric down the left flank. Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 23 minutes, converting after a foul on Di Maria. Then, in one of the most beautiful passages of play in World Cup final history, Argentina produced a 24-pass move that ended with Alexis Mac Allister crossing for Di Maria to volley home at the far post. Argentina led 2-0 at half-time, and France had not managed a single shot on goal.

Second Half: Mbappe Takes Over

France had been outplayed for 80 minutes, subdued by Argentina's midfield press and the work rate of Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez. Then Kylian Mbappe exploded into the game. In the 80th minute, he scored with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. One minute later, he volleyed home from close range after a fortunate ricochet off an Argentine defender. The score was 2-2, and the momentum had shifted completely.

Extra Time: Drama to the Very End

Extra time saw both teams exhausted but still producing moments of magic. Messi restored Argentina's lead in the 108th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after a powerful shot by Lautaro Martinez was saved. It seemed the moment would be the decisive one, but in the 118th minute, Mbappe scored his third goal from the penalty spot, completing his hat-trick and levelling the match at 3-3. He became only the second player to score three goals in a World Cup final, after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

In the dying moments of extra time, Emiliano Martinez made a miraculous one-on-one save from a Randal Kolo Muani shot, arguably the most important save in Argentine football history.

Penalty Shootout

The penalty shootout was an emotional rollercoaster. Mbappe scored France's first, but Messi scored Argentina's first. Kingsley Coman's penalty was saved by Martinez, and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide. Paulo Dybala scored for Argentina, and Kolo Muani scored for France. Leandro Paredes scored for Argentina, bringing up match point. When Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty, sending Argentina's substitutes and staff streaming onto the pitch, the 120-minute masterpiece was finally over. Argentina had won the World Cup for the third time.

Statistical Summary

The 2022 World Cup final produced six goals, a hat-trick for Mbappe, two goals for Messi, 67 touches in the opposition box across both teams, 35 shots, and 15 corners over 120 minutes. Argentina completed 663 passes to France's 504, but France had more possession in extra time. Messi was named Man of the Match, finishing the tournament with 7 goals and 3 assists. Mbappe finished as the Golden Boot winner with 8 goals, the most in a single World Cup since Ronaldo in 2002.

Messi's Legacy and the GOAT Debate

The victory transformed Lionel Messi's legacy. For years, the absence of a World Cup win had been the primary argument used against Messi in the debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time. Many used it to separate Pele and Maradona, both World Cup winners, from Messi. That argument can no longer be made.

Messi was named the tournament's best player, winning the Golden Ball. He scored in every round — group stage, Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final — a feat never before achieved. He became the player with the most World Cup appearances (26), the most Man of the Match awards in World Cup history, and the only player to score in the group stage and all knockout rounds. For more on Messi's overall World Cup record, visit /world-cup-2022-argentina-triumph-qatar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2022 World Cup final?

Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw following extra time at Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022. It was Argentina's third World Cup title, following 1978 and 1986.

How many goals did Lionel Messi score in World Cup 2022?

Messi scored 7 goals in the 2022 World Cup, including two in the final. He also provided 3 assists and was named the tournament's best player, winning the Golden Ball. He finished one goal behind Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe.

Did Kylian Mbappe score a hat-trick in the World Cup final?

Yes, Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final. His goals came in the 80th minute, 81st minute, and 118th minute from the penalty spot, making him only the second player to score three goals in a World Cup final after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Who saved the penalty in the 2022 World Cup final shootout?

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout. Aurelien Tchouameni fired the other missed penalty wide. Martinez also made a crucial one-on-one save from Randal Kolo Muani in the final seconds of extra time.

Which teams did Argentina beat in the knockout stages?

Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 in the Round of 16, the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the quarter-finals (including a dramatic 101st-minute equaliser by Wout Weghorst), Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, and France on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the final.

Was this Messi's last World Cup?

Messi confirmed before the tournament that the 2022 World Cup would be his last. At 35 years old, he captained Argentina to victory in what he described as a fairytale ending to his international career. He has since confirmed he will not play in the 2026 World Cup.