World Cup 2022 reaction LIVE: Argentina and Lionel Messi return home after final triumph vs France
Argentina team returns after World Cup victory
Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates have returned to their home country after ending the nation’s 36-year wait for a World Cup trophy.
Messi scored twice against France, but Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick as Sunday’s final in Qatar ended 3-3 after extra time.
What was surely the greatest final in World Cup history was then decided on penalties, as Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning spot kick before Messi lifted the trophy that had eluded him for so long.
Argentina have now returned home, while France striker Karim Benzema – who missed the tournament through injury – has hinted that his time with the national team is done.
Follow all the reaction to the final and the World Cup as a whole in our live blog, below:
World Cup final reaction LIVE
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World Cup final reaction LIVE
Members of the team, led by captain Lionel Messi, were all smiles as they descended from the plane in Ezeiza, right outside Argentina’s capital, shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday onto a red carpet that had been rolled out for the squad.
Messi was the first player from the plane carrying the World Cup, flanked by coach Lionel Scaloni, who put his arm around the captain as they walked past a sign that read, “Thank you, champions.”
Alex Pattle20 December 2022 08:43
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World Cup final reaction LIVE
Messi scored twice against France, but Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick as Sunday’s final in Qatar ended 3-3 after extra time.
Follow all the reaction to the final and the World Cup as a whole in our live blog, right here.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy and coach Lionel Scaloni
(Getty Images)
Alex Pattle20 December 2022 08:30
