By: HISTORY.com Editors

2022

Argentina wins the World Cup, Messi’s first

The final came down to a dramatic penalty shootout.

HISTORY.com Editors

Offside via Getty Images

Published: December 12, 2025Last Updated: December 12, 2025

On December 18, 2022, Argentina defeats France in the World Cup soccer final in Qatar. It is the first, and long-awaited, World Cup victory for Lionel Messi, Argentina’s 35-year-old superstar forward.

Messi, hailed as the greatest soccer player of his generation, had already won every other major tournament and award—except the World Cup. At the FC Barcelona club, where he spent most of his career, Messi won four UEFA Champions League titles, the most prestigious in Europe, as well as 11 titles in Spain’s domestic league, La Liga. In 2023, he won a record eighth Ballon d’Or award, the most coveted individual award in soccer.

Argentina hadn’t won the World Cup since 1986, in a tournament that showcased the legendary Diego Maradona. Messi’s Argentina team had reached the World Cup final once before, in 2014, only to lose to Germany. With the World Cup trophy long eluding him, the 35-year-old Messi announced that Qatar 2022 would be his final World Cup tournament—win or lose.

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Messi’s 2022 tournament started badly. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in a shocking upset in the first match of the group stage. But victories over Mexico and Poland propelled the team out of the group stage to the knockout round. They beat Australia, the Netherlands and then Croatia to reach the final against reigning champion France.

The 2022 final pitted Argentina, led by the veteran Messi, against France and their 23-year-old star, Kylian Mbappé. The host stadium in Doha was packed with Argentina fans hoping to witness a career-capping victory for their team’s captain. Fans expecting a goal-scoring duel between Messi and Mbappé were not disappointed—but they had to wait until late in the match.

Messi and his teammate Ángel Di María each contributed a goal to put Argentina up 2-0 at the half. Mbappé remained relatively quiet until the 80th minute, when he scored his first goal for France on a penalty. Less than two minutes later, he scored another goal in open play to tie the score. Messi answered in extra time with a goal that Argentina fans believed would be the game winner—but Mbappé scored an incredible third goal, a World Cup hat trick, in the 118th minute.

With the score tied at 3-3 after 30 minutes of extra time, the final came down to a penalty shootout. Messi and Mbappé each stepped up first and made their shots. However, two of France’s shots failed to find the net. Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-2, and with it—finally—Messi’s World Cup trophy.

World Cup Fast Facts You Might Not Know

Ever since it first took place in Uruguay in 1930, the World Cup has provided a steady stream of memorable moments and astonishing feats.

Ever since it first took place in Uruguay in 1930, the World Cup has provided a steady stream of memorable moments and astonishing feats.

By: History.com Staff

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Citation Information

Article Title: Argentina wins the World Cup, Messi’s first
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-18/argentina-messi-2022-world-cup-win

Date Accessed: December 12, 2025
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: December 12, 2025
Original Published Date: December 12, 2025

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