Kylian Mbappe produced a memorable performance in the FIFA World Cup final, but his three goals weren’t enough to salvage France’s dreams after they lost on penalties 4-2 to Argentina following a 3-3 draw after regular time and extra time at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday.
Mbappe became the second player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final after getting his country back into the match twice, first with two goals towards the end of regular time.
And with Argentina building up their defense against Mbappe for most of the game, the Paris Saint-Germain striker came to life in the 80th minute when he scored twice in 97 seconds, before equalizing for the second time on a penalty kick in extra time to make the score 3-3.
Mbappe scored France’s first penalty in the shoot-out, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s kick before Aurelien Tchoamene tipped it wide of the pitch.
Substitute Gonzalo Montiel won the Argentine title for the third time in their history, after 1978 and 1986, by scoring his fourth penalty.
Geoff Hurst was the only man to score three goals in a World Cup final as he led England to a 4-2 victory over West Germany after extra time in 1966.
Hurst wrote on his Twitter account during the match: Congratulations to Mbappe, whatever happens you had a wonderful time.
The hat-trick helped Mbappé win the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the tournament’s top scorer, ahead of Lionel Messi, who finished the tournament with eight goals in seven games, which is the highest tally for a player in the an edition since Brazilian Ronaldo scored eight goals in 2002.
And Frenchman Just Fontaine still holds the record for most goals in a tournament, with 13 goals in the 1958 Sweden edition.
The France striker is four goals behind Miroslav Klose’s record 16 goals.
Two days before he turns 24, it seems Mbappé’s destiny is to lead a bright young generation for France in the coming years.
But at Lusail Stadium the night was owned by Lionel Messi, who recovered from elimination in the round of 16 of Russia 2018 as Argentina lost 4-3 to Mbappe’s France in an epic match.
Mbappe was only 19 at the time and it’s amazing to think he hasn’t reached his prime yet.
With each match, he seems more confident, poised and in control, unstoppable with his incredible speed and cutting precision that drives defenders crazy.
With these skills, Mbappé is considered a national treasure, and French President Emmanuel Macron took the field to console the young star, embracing him for a long time.
Mbappe’s hat-trick at the end of his impressive tournament won’t ease the pain of defeat to Argentina, but he will certainly look back on what he achieved with pride in due course.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain, said: I am sad for Kylian, who played a more than perfect match. If it had been up to me I would have given two cups, one to Kilian and the other to Lionel, Messi deserved the cup and Kylian still has time to win the World Cup again.
It may have been Messi’s night, but Mbappé still has a long way to go.
