Argentina wins World Cup

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Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy in Qatar on Sunday Associated Press/Photo by Martin Meissner

Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory over France in a nail-biting final match on Sunday in Qatar. Argentina scored twice in the first half, but reigning champion France tied the game in the second half. After a 3-3 draw, Argentina bested France in a penalty shootout.

For what will the game be most remembered? It was likely the last World Cup appearance for Messi, who at age 35 cemented his place as one of soccer’s greatest players with this victory. Messi is often compared to Brazil’s Pelé and to Diego Maradona, also of Argentina, but unlike them, he did not have a World Cup championship—until Sunday.

Dig deeper: Read Eric Patterson’s column for WORLD Opinions about armband activism at the World Cup.

Lynde Langdon

Lynde is WORLD’s executive editor for news. She is a graduate of World Journalism Institute, the Missouri School of Journalism, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Lynde resides with her family in Wichita, Kan.

@lmlangdon