France vs Argentina FIFA WC Final to be remembered as one of most thrilling football matches, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the FIFA World Cup Final between France and Argentina will be remembered as one of the most thrilling football matches. PM Modi also congratulated Argentina on lifting the world cup. He said that millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory. The prime minister also congratulated President of Argentina Alberto Fernández on the victory.

"This will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Football matches! Congrats to Argentina on becoming FIFA World Cup Champions! They've played brilliantly through the tournament. Millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory!" said PM Modi.

This will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Football matches! Congrats to Argentina on becoming #FIFAWorldCup Champions! They’ve played brilliantly through the tournament. Millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory! @alferdez — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2022

Argentina won the World Cup by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final. Lionel Messi's once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion.

Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties Sunday to claim a third World Cup title despite Kylian Mbappe scoring the first hat trick in a final in 56 years.

Now there's no debate. Messi is definitively in the pantheon of soccer's greatest-ever players, alongside Pele, a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil, and Diego Maradona, the late Argentina great with whom Messi was so often compared.

Messi has achieved what Maradona did in 1986, dominate a World Cup for Argentina.

Messi put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and played a part in Angel Di Maria's goal that made it 2-0 after 36 minutes.

Mbappe scored two goals in a 97-second span to take the game to extra time, and then Messi tapped in his second goal in the 109th minute. But there was still time for another penalty from Mbapp? to take the thrilling game to a shootout.

Gonzalo Montiel scored the clinching penalty kick after Kingsley Coman had an attempt saved by Emi Martinez and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France. (With agency inputs)