FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina vs. France: Following a nail-biting 120-minute match that ended 3-3, Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties to win their third World Cup in 36 years.
The Albiceleste are regarded as one of the most accomplished countries in world football today, despite not always being the giants of the game that neighbouring Brazil was in the early years of the FIFA World Cup. This is due to the Albiceleste’s rise to power in the 1970s and 1980s.
Argentina has given the world some of football’s finest players thanks to legends like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Argentina is now regarded as one of the most powerful and intimidating nations in international football, with many of its players playing for top teams around the globe and a fervent and worldwide fan base.
Argentina has won how many World Cups?
Argentina’s three FIFA World Cup victories rank third in the world, behind Brazil’s five, Germany, and Italy’s four, and Argentina’s three.
As hosts in 1978, La Albiceleste won their first World Cup championship. When Mexico hosted the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona led Argentina to victory, giving them their second championship. The infamous “Hand of God” goal from this tournament helped Argentina defeat England in the quarterfinals.
In the championship game against the Netherlands, Kempes scored first after 38 minutes. The Netherlands responded in the 82nd minute to force extra time, but Kempes scored again in the 105th minute to win the game 3-1. The game was overshadowed by controversy when Argentina’s pregame tactics to delay the Netherlands upset them, but the hosts ultimately won.
FIFA World Cup of 1986
Due to Colombia’s financial difficulties, the tournament—which was originally scheduled to take place there—instead took place in Mexico. Diego Maradona, who was a standout in the competition and helped Argentina win the World Cup, would enthrall Mexico.
Argentina won Group A and moved on to the knockout stage, with just a 1-1 tie with Italy marring the group play. In the first two knockout stage games, the Albiceleste defeated both Uruguay and England by a single goal. The “Hand of God” goal in the match against England, in which Maradona leapt to head the ball on frame but it instead struck his hand and went into the goal without being noticed by the official as the goal stood, made the game legendary.
A brace from Maradona helped Argentina defeat Belgium 2-0 in the semifinals, and while the legendary player was kept off the scoresheet in the championship match against Germany by Lothar Matthaus’s tenacious defending, it created opportunities for his teammates. Maradona’s brilliant assist set up Jorge Burruchaga’s 86th-minute winner, giving Argentina a 3-2 victory and their second FIFA World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup 2022
With Messi scoring two goals and Mbappé scoring a hat trick, Argentina won its third World Cup title by defeating France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw. This was likely the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history.
The first penalties were converted by Messi and Mbappé for their respective teams. Gonzalo Montiel had the opportunity to end the game after Aurelien Tchouameni of France missed a shot from Kingsley Coman. A riot of cheers broke out after he converted the penalty to the left.
It had been four consecutive World Cup wins for Europe since 2006, but that streak ended this year. Last year, Brazil won the South American championship, which was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea in Asia.
It was Argentina’s first significant prize since 1993 when it triumphed in Qatar last year in the Copa America. It’s a thrilling conclusion to Messi’s international career, which is still ongoing. After the game, he declared that he will keep competing for his country.
