Argentina are World Champions

 

Congratulations on ARGENTINA winning the World Cup for the third time. They last won in Mexico 1986. Argentina won games against Mexico, Poland, Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia on their way to the final. They had to play FRANCE who had beaten Australia, Denmark, Portugal, England and Morocco on their road to the final.

Both teams seem to be very slow at the start of the final game but it did not take long for both teams too settled down. France was giving the ball away so often that they would surely be punished, and they were from a clumsy tackle in the penalty area. Penalty to Argentina in the 23^rd minute and it was scored by Messi his sixth of the tournament and he has now scored in every round of the World Cup. From then on it was all Argentina and another goal which came all the way from their own half and what a goal scored by Di Maria in the 36^th minute. France were all over the place now as half-time was getting nearer. France made two substitutions with Giroud and Demebele coming off and Thuram and Kolo Muani coming on to try and claw their way back into this game. Half-time and Argentina lead 2-0. In the second half the former world champions France were still on the ropes as Argentina pressed for their third goal. France was trying to score that goal with some nice play, so much better than the first half. Then more drama as France got a penalty in the 80^th minute and it was scored by France top scorer Mbappe. More was still to come as Mbappe scored again for his 7^th goal of the tournament, in the 81^st minute and its game back on 2-2 and under 10 minutes to go and now its Argentina that were falling apart.  Both goalkeepers played for their lives which kept the score level. Full time and it’s 2-2.

In extra time, France continued with their attacks and Argentina responded well. The feeling of penalties started to creep in at this stage at the end of the first half of extra time. Second half of extra time and still both teams giving their all. Then out of the blue Argentina score in the 108^th minute from Messi once again. The game got even better as France get another penalty in the 118^th minute as Mbappe gets his hat-trick 3-3. I have never seen such a World Cup final other than 1966. Final score 3-3 and then into penalties, which Argentina won 4-2. 

Argentina had scored in every game they have played in and they end the tournament with a total of 15 goals which is their best World Cup score ever. Their average score is 8.3 goals per World Cup. In Russia 2018 they only scored 6 goals. This is their 9^th World Cup appearance with Golden Goals. 

France finished with a total of 16 goals which is also their best World Cup score. This was their 7^th World Cup with us and their average score is 9.2 goals per World Cup.