High octane final justifies greatest sports event status
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 20, 2022 -

The Qatar World Cup final will go down in football history as one of the best contested matches that not only went the distance but also kept fans, who weren't at the Lusail Iconic stadium in Doha, of both the finalists hooked to the television set, smart mobile phone and on the big screen put up at public places or in localities till the decisive kick from the penalty spot.

Unlike in the past World Cups, when Manipur's football enthusiasts used to be either ardent supporters of Brazil or Argentina, the fire crackers exploded every time a goal was scored in the final testified that there no shortage of fans for the French team, whose eye-catching total performance in the Russia edition of the competition en-route to wresting the title helped expand the support base here in the state.

After Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and his precise pass helped another world cup veteran Angel Di Maria double the lead within 36 minutes of the match even the diehard France fans must have conceded that Argentina would be the outright winner.

However, as had often happened at this World Cup, mercurial Kylian Mbappe stretched the match beyond normal time by ruffling the Argentina net twice in a 97-second span to take the game to extra time.

The seesaw battle continued in the extra time period as well after Messi tapped in his second goal in the 109th minute only for Mbappe to complete his hattrick of goals from the penalty spot and take the game to the shootout.

Argentina eventually tasted victory after the shootout ended at 4-2 and claimed the third World Cup title thereby enhancing Messi's profile as one of the greatest ever players.

Like in the past editions, the just concluded World Cup brought to the fore many young players whose footballing skills and resilience would definitely make them household names around the globe as it is certain that management and scouts of super-rich European clubs would have already made the preparation to offer irresistible deals.

There were few World Cup final matches that could not decide the champions within the stipulated 90-minute but there is no doubt that football experts and fans as well would rate the Doha showdown between Argentina-France on Sunday at the top as the match had all the ingredients of excitement and anxiety till Gonzalo Montiel netted the clincher after France's Kingsley Coman had an attempt saved by Argentinian keeper Emi Martinez and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.

While some household names like England captain Harry Kane, Brazilian striker Neymar and Portugal's Ronaldo couldn't make it past the last eight stage, Argentina's triumph should put to rest the debate, if any, over who is contemporary world's best player, if not Lionel Messi, who led his side after the shocking defeat in the group round.

The only trophy missing from Messi's cupboard was the gold plated World Cup but his superlative form as the tournament progressed ensured that he could now retire from competition as a footballing legend.

Football at the world's stage epitomises team spirit and cohesion to overcome any opponent, but there should be no doubt that it was Messi who guided his young squad to wrest the third title for his country and would now be compared to legends like Pele and Diego Maradona, who were the architects of their respective country's glorious achievements.