Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Argentina lifted the 2022 World Cup trophy defeating France 4-2 in the penalty shootout in one of the epic battles in football history.
Montiel scored the winning penalty for Argentina after France could only score two of their first penalties. Kingsley Coman had his shot saved by Martinez, while Tchoumeni shot wide after Mbappe had scored France’s first penalty. Messi, Dybala and Paredes all scored for Argentina before Montiel’s winning kick.
Both sides scored one goal each in the extra time after playing a 2-2 draw in the 90 minutes.
Argentina led France 2-0 until 80th minute, thanks to Messi’s 23rd minute penalty and Di Maria’s 36th minute strike, and was on course to lift the tile. But Kylian Mbappe scored from penalty in the 80th minute, and added a spectacular goal a minute later to bring France back in the game.
Mbappe is only the second man to score a hattrick in World Cup history. Geoff Hurst had scored a hattrick when England was crowned champions in 1966.
Both Messi and Mbappe scored in the extra time to take the match to the penalty shootout.
