Argentina vs France: World Cup 2022 final – as it happened

After four weeks, 64 games and 172 goals, the Qatar 2022 World Cup came to a thrilling conclusion in Sunday’s final.

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates sealed a third World Cup win — and first since 1986 — for the South American side, shattering France’s dreams of back-to-back triumphs.

With celebrations well under way from Doha to Buenos Aires, our live coverage of the match is ending. But you can take a look at our other reporting on the tournament — the first ever held in the Middle East — and the reaction to Argentina’s victory here.

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Take a look at Al Jazeera’s photos of the final here.

Tens of thousands have flocked to Lusail Boulevard to witness the winners’ parade.

The celebrations are just getting started. It is a struggle to find space.

Many who did not have a ticket to the match came to Lusail to catch a glimpse of Messi and the Argentina team. There are hardly any French flags here.

Music is blaring from speakers on the side, and security forces are keeping the crowds back.

Lionel Messi has said he will continue playing for Argentina in the wake of winning the World Cup.

“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” Messi, 35, told Argentinian television following Sunday’s final.

The superstar forward had said prior to the match against France that the tournament in Qatar would be his last World Cup.

France coach Didier Deschamps says the way his team lost the final was “cruel” after they came from behind to force extra time and then again to take the match to penalties, only to then lose via the shootout.

“We were not as good in the first 60 minutes against top-quality opponents, who had a lot more energy, but we came back from nowhere and turned the game around from a very difficult situation. That leaves us with even more regrets,” the 54-year-old told reporters.

“I don’t want to take any merit away from Argentina, but there were lots and lots of emotions, and it was cruel at the end because we were so close,” he added.

Deschamps, who led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, also suggested that the virus which laid low several of his players in the run-up to the final was partly to blame for their poor performance over the first hour.

“There were many reasons which explained why we were not as good. Several important players had less energy, but bringing on younger players – with less experience but plenty of freshness and quality – allowed us to keep dreaming,” he said.

“But unfortunately the dream did not come true.”

Al Jazeera’s Rahul Pathak, reporting from outside Lusail Stadium, says people are “still in a state of shock” over the dramatic conclusion to Qatar 2022.

“We have seen a World Cup final that will be the benchmark for World Cup finals of the future. For Qatar to have hosted such an incredible tournament — there were some journalists who were deriding Gianni Infantino’s comments that this was the best World Cup ever, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any now, especially among those here,” Pathak said.

“This has not been a smooth run for Argentina; this has had a sense of jeopardy for every single game. But it delivered in spades, this World Cup final, and America, Canada and Mexico have really got something to live up to in four years’ time.”

Argentina’s victory sealed their third world title and the first since the late, great Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986.

Thirty-six years on, Messi has emulated his achievements and sealed his own legacy as one of the very greatest – if not the greatest – players to ever grace the field.

1986 🏆🇦🇷🏆 2022 pic.twitter.com/KQQpIJrb2d

— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) December 18, 2022

After one of the most thrilling finals ever seen, we have put together a timeline documenting Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.

Take a look here.

Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says his side “suffered” during their thrilling victory against France.

“There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this,” Martinez told reporters.

“It was a very complicated match, they came back to equalise in the game but it was our destiny to suffer,” the 30-year-old added.

“All that I have dreamed of has been achieved. I have no words for it. I was calm during the penalty shoot-out, and everything went as we wanted.”

Fans in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, are in raptures over their country’s World Cup triumph.

“I am very happy, I am crying. My heart is going 100 miles an hour,” Ignacio told Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo.

“For us, they are gods. They are the best players.”

This is how Argentina fans reacted as their team sealed their first World Cup win for 36 years, with a penalty shootout win over France 👇

🔗: https://t.co/QtvRT3Y6Yp pic.twitter.com/Ut5IIAtrct

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 18, 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron has praised his country’s side despite their loss to Argentina and offered his congratulations to the new world champions.

“Congratulations to the French team for its journey and its combativeness in this World Cup. You have thrilled the nation and supporters around the world,” Macron, who attended the final at Lusail Stadium, tweeted.

“Congratulations to Argentina for their victory,” he added.

Bravo à l'équipe de France pour son parcours et sa combativité dans cette Coupe du Monde. Vous avez fait vibrer la Nation et les supporters du monde entier. Félicitations à l'Argentine pour sa victoire.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 18, 2022

Fans are streaming out of Lusail Stadium, where Al Jazeera’s Rahul Pathak is gauging reaction to Qatar 2022’s dramatic finale.

“There are people coming out and shaking their heads, like ‘Did we really see what we just saw?'” Pathak said.

“Even one French fan was saying, ‘My team lost – Mbappe scored a hat trick and ended up on the losing side, but I got to see the best player in the world lift the World Cup, and in the future, I’ll remember that.'”

Meanwhile, in downtown Buenos Aires, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo was witness to scenes of joyous celebration as Argentinians celebrated a third World Cup triumph for their country in its bustling capital city.

Follow Al Jazeera’s live stream here.

Argentina’s victory today came exactly 26 days after they were humbled 2-1 in a shock, opening-game defeat to Saudi Arabia.

The turnaround is complete.

26 days is a long time in football (in the same stadium, too).#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 | #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/kNlVtgogb4

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 18, 2022

The tournament in Qatar became the highest-scoring World Cup in history after Argentina’s thrilling triumph over France.

Mbappe’s third goal, which made the score 3-3 and sent the final into a penalty shootout, was the 172nd of the 2022 tournament.

That ensured it surpassed the previous record of 171 goals, held jointly by the 1998 and 2014 editions in France and Brazil, respectively.

The final was also the first tournament showpiece to feature at least three goals from both teams.

Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, who was forced to retire a year ago due to a heart problem, has joined his countrymen in celebrating their World Cup triumph.

Aguero, 34, is a close friend of many of the Argentina players and appeared jubilant as he held aloft the trophy alongside the squad.

You will smile. That's a promise. 🥹💙 @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/xIZbbMknRE

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 18, 2022

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was emotional as he spoke to reporters.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game,” he said. “Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything.”

“I am proud of the work they did. With the blows we received today, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy. It’s a historic moment for our country.”

We look back at the eventful ride La Albiceleste took over the past four weeks from losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener to becoming the champions.