Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory over France in the World Cup finals on Sunday, Dec. 18. See photos from the close match and fans' reactions to the game's outcome.
Argentina beat defending-champion France in the final. It's the third World Cup title for Argentina but the first for Messi - the only trophy he hadn't won in his storied and remarkable career.
The monthlong tournament in Qatar was filled with excitement, surprise and controversy. Argentina's victory in the final — which gave Lionel Messi his first title — cemented it as one of the best.
Trouble brews in the run up to every global, mega sporting event — such as buses not running on time, or venues seemingly not ready for action. But it melts away when the games begin. But what lasts?
The pandas correctly predicted that Argentina would beat Croatia in the first semifinal match last, and they also rightly chose France over Morocco. Now, they predict Argentina will win the final.
Luka Modrić led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great's last appearance at the World Cup. It is the second time Croatia has taken third place.
The final game of the 2022 World Cup on Sunday is set to be its most thrilling. Defending champion France takes on Argentina as Lionel Messi seeks the one trophy missing from his glorious career.
See some of the best photos from the 2022 World Cup's quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Argentina and France will face off in the final on Sunday, Dec. 18.
Wahl, the preeminent soccer reporter in the U.S., died early Saturday while covering the Argentina-Netherlands quarterfinal match in Doha. He collapsed in the press tribune during the game.
France, led by its star Kylian Mbappé, has sparkled this tournament. In defeating Morocco, the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals, France sets up a dream final against Argentina.
With much of the world rallying around his country's unprecedented run, a member of the Moroccan diaspora says that "to me, we already won the World Cup."
Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to advance to the World Cup finals for a sixth time - and giving star forward Messi a chance to win his first title. Argentina will play either France or Morocco on Sunday.
While attention at the World Cup has mostly been on stars like Argentina's Messi, Brazil's Neymar, and Portugal's Ronaldo, goalkeepers have also shined — especially for the final four teams.
"Why shouldn't we dream about winning the World Cup?" Morocco's coach Walid Regragui said after beating Portugal. He says his team is the "Rocky" of Qatar.
France defeated England 2-1. The road for the defending World Cup champions won't get any easier. France will take on Morocco in a semifinal match on Wednesday.
