A Look Back at the World Cup Winners

By: Kaylene Borg

During our Winter Break, the World Cup came to a finish with Argentina coming out victorious against France in the final. After tying one another 3-3 during regulation, Argentina was able to pull it out 4-2 with penalties.

Argentina started the tournament coming off of a 3-year, 36-game winning streak causing a major upset when they lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the first game. Luckily, they were able to get it together, and the following five games against Mexico, Poland, Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia allowed them to get to the finals. Messi led the tough effort against Mexico by scoring the first, then assisting Alveraz in the second goal for the game. Alvarez stayed hot against Poland scoring one of the two goals once again, and Mac Allister scored the other. The superstars remained Alveraz and Messi (who scored his first-ever knockout-stage goal) as they beat Australia 2-1. Against the Netherlands, Molina and Messi were able to get Argentina an early lead, but the Netherlands came back resulting in the winner being decided by penalties which Argentina was able to pull out 4-3. In the semifinals against Croatia, Messi and Alveraz made sure their names were made. Messi scored a penalty shot in the first half, and Alveraz scored a solo shot five minutes later, as well as a second goal in the second half assisted by Messi. 

In the final, Messi and Di Maria worked together to give their country a 2-0 lead against France, but this was lost after France’s Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty, and then he scored again only about a minute and a half later, tying the game. Messi, Dybala, Paredes, and Montiel’s penalty shots were won against France two by Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani. This World Cup win was the 3rd for Argentina surpassing France and Uruguay, only now behind Italy and Germany’s 4th and Brazil’s 5th. Needless to say, the Golden Ball Award, which is given to the best overall player, was received by Messi.