Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, following a 3-3 draw after extra time in what is widely regarded as the greatest final in the tournament’s history.
This match, played on December 18, 2022, at Lusail Stadium, pitted Lionel Messi against Kylian Mbappé. The stakes were immense: Messi seeking to crown his career with football’s ultimate prize; Mbappé aiming to lead France to back-to-back titles. The result is the definitive answer to “who won the last world cup 2022.”
Argentina’s Journey: Resilience and Redemption
Argentina’s path was not linear. They suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group match, a result that threatened to derail their campaign.
The team recovered, winning their next five matches. They defeated Mexico 2-0, Poland 2-0, Australia 2-1, and the Netherlands on penalties in the quarterfinals. A 3-0 semifinal win over Croatia, orchestrated by Messi, set up the final. This run placed the 2022 final in context: a team forged by adversity, not dominance.
France’s Road: Defending Champions’ Determination
France entered as defending champions, but their campaign was plagued by injuries. Key players N’Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, and Karim Benzema were absent.
Despite this, they won Group D with wins over Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1), before a 1-0 loss to Tunisia. They beat Poland 3-1, England 2-1, and Morocco 2-0 in the semifinals. Mbappé was the focal point, scoring five goals before the final. The “Final” derivative topic highlights the contrast: France’s 2018 final was a 4-2 win over Croatia; this one was a desperate fight to retain their crown.
First Half: Argentina’s Dominance
Argentina controlled the opening 45 minutes. A 23rd-minute penalty, converted by Messi after a foul on Ángel Di María, gave them the lead. Di María then scored a stunning team goal in the 36th minute, a composed finish after a rapid counter-attack.
France did not register a single shot in the first half. Argentina’s pressing and wing play, particularly through Di María, neutralized France’s attack. A look back at the 2022 final shows how shocking France’s passive start was for a defending champion.
Second Half and Extra Time: Mbappé’s Heroics
The match transformed in 97 seconds. Mbappé scored a penalty in the 80th minute, then volleyed home from a Kolo Muani pass in the 81st. The score was 2-2.
In extra time, Messi scored in the 108th minute to put Argentina ahead 3-2. Mbappé responded with a second penalty in the 118th minute for 3-3. This back-and-forth drama, compared to other World Cup finals this century like 2006 (Italy vs France) and 2014 (Germany vs Argentina), was unprecedented in its intensity and quality.
The Penalty Shootout: Drama and Destiny
The shootout provided the final answer to “who won the last world cup 2022.” France’s Kingsley Coman saw his shot saved by Emiliano Martínez. Aurelien Tchouaméni missed wide.
Messi, Di María, and Leandro Paredes scored for Argentina. Gonzalo Montiel converted the winning penalty. Argentina won 4-2. Martínez’s save was decisive.
Key Players: Messi and Mbappé’s Duel
Messi scored two goals and was awarded the Golden Ball as tournament MVP. Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the final, winning the Golden Boot with eight goals overall.
| Player | Goals (Final) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi (ARG) | 2 | Captain, two goals, penalty in shootout |
| Kylian Mbappé (FRA) | 3 | Hat-trick, Golden Boot winner |
| Ángel Di María (ARG) | 1 | Goal, constant threat on left wing |
| Emiliano Martínez (ARG) | 0 | Key penalty save in shootout |
| Antoine Griezmann (FRA) | 0 | Creative force, subbed off at 71′ |
A look back at the 2022 final through player analysis shows a duel between two generations, not just two teams.
Tactical Masterclass: Scaloni vs Deschamps
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni’s pressing system and use of Di María on the left wing overwhelmed France’s defense for 70 minutes. France coach Didier Deschamps made reactive substitutions, bringing on Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram, which shifted the momentum.
The “Final” derivative topic underscores how coaching decisions under extreme pressure—like Deschamps’ decision to drop Ousmane Dembélé and shift to a 4-4-2—altered the game’s trajectory.
Legacy and Impact
This final is now benchmarked against other World Cup finals this century: 2006 (Zidane’s headbutt), 2010 (Iniesta’s extra-time winner), 2014 (Götze’s goal). The 2022 version surpasses them in goals (6 in open play), star power, and narrative arc.
For Argentina, it was Messi’s crowning moment. For Mbappé, it marked his emergence as the sport’s next dominant figure. The match’s emotional and cultural significance—broadcast to a global audience of over 1.5 billion—cements its place in football history.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who won the last World Cup 2022?
- A: Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in extra time.
- Q: What made the 2022 World Cup final so unforgettable?
- A: The final featured Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappé, a 3-3 draw after extra time, Mbappé’s hat-trick, and a dramatic penalty shootout, making it widely regarded as the greatest World Cup final in history.
- Q: How did Argentina reach the 2022 final?
- A: Argentina recovered from a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, winning their next five matches including a penalty shootout win over the Netherlands and a 3-0 semifinal victory over Croatia.
- Q: How did France perform in the 2022 World Cup?
- A: France entered as defending champions despite injuries to key players like N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema, winning Group D and defeating Poland, England, and Morocco to reach the final.