Hat-trick in World Cup Final After 57 Years
Secured Golden Boot with 8 Goals Surpassing Messi but Shed Tears After Losing the Championship
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] He had everything except the championship. Although he lost the match, he surpassed everything in content and was perfect. Mbapp? had to end the Qatar World Cup with a regretful expression despite winning the Golden Boot.
On the 19th (Korean time), France lost in a penalty shootout against Argentina in the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.
Argentina dominated from the early stages of the match. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Lionel Messi scored the opening goal by converting a penalty kick. In the 35th minute of the first half, ?ngel Di Mar?a added another goal, seemingly securing a 2-0 lead over France.
However, France's counterattack was not easy either. At the center of it was Kylian Mbapp?. France, sinking in trouble, barely managed to equalize thanks to Mbapp?'s one-man show, bringing the match back to square one.
In the 34th minute of the second half, Mbapp? scored a chasing goal by converting a penalty kick. Just two minutes after scoring, he volleyed the ball into Argentina's net, restoring balance to the tilted match.
After a fierce battle, both teams entered extra time. Messi scored another go-ahead goal, and the momentum seemed to shift to Argentina. However, Mbapp? also succeeded in another penalty kick in the 13th minute of the second half of extra time, once again leveling the score.
Ultimately, in the penalty shootout, Mbapp?, who took the first kick, scored cleanly and energized his team, but Kingsley Coman and Aur?lien Tchouam?ni missed consecutively, and the victory that seemed secured slipped away to Argentina.
With his goals in this match, Mbapp? set a World Cup final hat-trick record for the first time in 56 years since England striker Geoff Hurst (1966). Additionally, he scored a total of 8 goals in this World Cup, surpassing Messi (7 goals) to become the sole top scorer of the tournament. Matching the 8 goals scored by Ronaldo, the top scorer of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, he became the player with the most goals in the 21st-century World Cup history.
Mbapp? received the 'Golden Boot' awarded to the top scorer of the World Cup, but he stood on the podium with a continuously gloomy expression. Only his potential, which matched Messi's 13 goals recorded over five World Cup appearances in just two tournaments, shone brightly. Everything was perfect except for the championship, but this World Cup ended as Messi's 'Last Dance.'
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