World Football

Do any of us even fully understand what we just saw?

In what may be remembered as the greatest soccer match ever played—given the stakes, maybe the greatest sporting event ever contested, period—Argentina won the World Cup, beating France 4-2 on penalties after the match finished tied at three apiece in extra time.

There was something fitting about the hat trick from the most ascendant young star in the game, Kylian Mbappé, only being bested by the greatest player to ever step foot on a football pitch, Lionel Messi, and the brace he provided.

The enduring memory of the contest will be Messi and Argentina's triumph. But football Twitter was nonetheless stunned by the brilliance of Mbappé, even in defeat, with many heartbroken on behalf of the French superstar:

Neither team deserved to lose. At various points, it seemed both sides were in full control.

Most of regulation belonged to Argentina, as the country took a 2-0 first-half lead and seemed in complete control of the proceedings. France didn't get off so much as a shot until the 71st minute.

But then there was Mbappé. In a brilliant, breathless 97 seconds, he turned the match on its head with the sort of heroics that only a superstar can muster.

To extra time we would go.

And yet again Messi—doing everything in his power to earn his country its first World Cup title since Diego Maradona's heroics in 1986—conjured up the magical moment, slotting home a goal after a fortuitous rebound.

"Anything you can do, I can do better," came the reply from Mbappé just 10 minutes later, as he scored from the spot for a second time to pull France even one last time.

And so extra time drained away and both teams prepared for the cruelest form of finality in sports, the penalty shootout. Messi and Mbappé stepped up first and, to the surprise of no one, both scored.

The superstars had done their part. Now, their fates rested on the composure—or lack thereof—of their respective countrymen. Messi's teammates met the moment, and World Cup glory was finally his.

But nobody will forget the performance of a 23-year-old Mbappé in his second World Cup final. Only the greatest player to ever live could keep him and France from repeating as champions.

Lionel Messi can finally be called a world champion.

Messi scored twice in one of the most epic soccer games anyone has ever watched as Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final over France on penalties.

The climactic match in Qatar finished 3-3 after extra time, with La Albiceleste claiming the shootout by a 4-2 margin.

Argentina held a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 80th minute courtesy of a Messi penalty and a sublime team goal finished by Ángel Di María in the first half. However, Kylian Mbappé converted from the spot and finished a sumptuous volley in a span of two minutes to send the game to extra time.

Messi was once again on hand to put Argentina in front in the 108th minute, but Mbappé kept his cool from the penalty spot once more to send the final to a shootout.

Messi knocked home the first penalty, then Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez made a save in the second round from Kingsley Coman's effort. France's Aurélien Tchouaméni sent his spot-kick wide in the third round, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to seal the title in the fourth.

Argentina appeared to have full control of the contest thanks to a pair of first-half goals from Messi and Di María.

Messi became the first man to score in all four knockout round games of a single World Cup with his penalty in the 23rd minute after Di María was brought down by Ousmane Dembélé.

Di María padded the lead after a scintillating counterattack that started in Argentina's own half.

France did not attempt a single shot until the 71st minute, and La Albiceleste appeared to be cruising. However, the game flipped on its head when they conceded a penalty in the 80th minute.

Mbappé coolly converted, and the final burst into life once more at the Lusail Stadium.

One minute later, Mbappé levelled the contest at two goals apiece with a stunning volley, eventually sending the final to another 30 minutes of game time.

Messi and Argentina thought they had the World Cup locked up again in the 108th minute, when the 35-year-old finished off a chaotic sequence in front of Hugo Lloris in the French net.

But Mbappé struck again from the penalty spot after a handball from Gonzalo Montiel in the box 10 minutes after Messi's second goal.

Mbappé's hat trick pushed him ahead of Messi into first place in the Golden Boot race with seven goals.

That was a small consolation for the French superstar after losing in his second World Cup final.

Argentina's stars were faultless with their spot-kicks, while France was left to rue Coman's saved effort and Tchouaméni's miss, handing a third world title to Argentina and preventing Les Bleus from defending their 2018 tournament victory in Russia.

While a penalty shootout is always a cruel way to lose, Argentina was good value for the win on the balance of play. France finished with just five shots on target to La Albiceleste's 10 and failed to do anything in the final third in the first 70 minutes. Emiliano Martínez made just two saves for Argentina, albeit one was crucial in the 123rd minute when left one-on-one with Randal Kolo Muani.

Messi was, perhaps inevitably, Man of the Match for his pair of goal contributions.

He has now won a major tournament title in each of the last two years with Argentina, securing his first Copa America in 2021 and now adding a World Cup title to his illustrious resume.

Ahead of the highly anticipated 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina, fans were treated to the tournament's closing ceremony.

Like the opening ceremony last month, Saturday's event at Lusail Stadium in Qatar featured plenty of music, dancing and colorful scenes.

Spectators watching along were impressed by the show:

In addition to the dancing, there was also a performance by Nigerian American Afrobeats star Davido:

Among the other performers Sunday were Ozuna and Gims singing "Arhbo," with Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal performing "Light the Sky."

There was plenty of controversy surrounding the World Cup taking place in Qatar, but the on-field play created numerous memorable moments for players and fans.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said this event was "the best World Cup ever."

It creates a lot to live up to in 2026 as the United States, Mexico and Canada co-host a 48-team tournament.

The top prize in international soccer will be awarded Sunday as Argentina battles defending champions France in the 2022 World Cup finale.

Ahead of the titanic clash that will see Lionel Messi pursue the trophy that has eluded him his entire, legendary career, FIFA will present a closing ceremony that promotes togetherness and features some of the top worldwide acts performing songs from the tournament's official soundtrack.

But first, the details.

Date: December 18, 2022

Time: 8 a.m. EST

Location: Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar

How to Watch: Fox (TV), Fubo (streaming)

Nigerian-American performer Davido will become the first artist to open the World Cup by performing at the draw, then the closing ceremony when he is joined by Japanese singer Aisha for a rendition of 'Hayya Hayya (Better Together).'

Elsewhere as part of the ceremony, dubbed "A Night to Remember," Ozuna and Gimes will perform "Arhbo" and an all-female lineup of "Light the Sky" will feature Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi, Rahma Riad, Manal and Balqees.

"The real ones know what this journey is made up of and some may never acknowledge my value or my due, but I'm forever grateful for my team, my friends, and for the ones who always believe in me! I only hope to do bigger and better things on my own terms, and i hope to always make you guys proud! I'll never take the influence that I have for granted," Fatehi wrote on Instagram, conveying the significance of the journey that brought her to be a part of this year's tournament.

The ceremony will precede France's attempt to become the first team since the 1958 and '62 Brazil squad to win and run it back as repeat champions. The only other team to accomplish that feat was the 1934 and '38 Italy squads.

Kylian Mbappé will be the star to watch on that team while Messi and his desire to capture the FIFA World Cup Trophy bears paying attention on the other side of the field. In a year in which upsets were to be had, and underdogs like Croatia and Morocco advanced late in the competition and had a real shot at competing in Sunday's game, it is somewhat apropos that the two best players in the tournament will clash for the most coveted trophy in the game.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final is here, with Lionel Messi-led Argentina and Kylian Mbappé-led France set to meet at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday to see who will be crowned champion.

The World Cup final is set to kick off at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, but first, fans will be treated to a World Cup closing ceremony, which is expected to begin around 8:30 a.m. ET. Both the game and the closing ceremony can be watched on Fox and streamed on Fox Sports.

As is customary with the World Cup closing ceremony, organizers have kept details of the event under wraps. However, we do have some details about the artists who will be performing.

Afrobeat musician Davido will headline the event, FIFA confirmed. He will perform "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)," which is one of the songs featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack. Trinidad Cardona and Aisha are also featured on the track, and Aisha will perform alongside Davido at Lusail Stadium.

Award-winning Puerto Rican artist Ozuna and Congolese-French rapper Gims are also expected to perform their song "Arhbo," which is featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack. It was a Billboard top-10 hit.

In addition, Indian actress, singer and dancer Nora Fatehi is expected to perform alongside Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal. They will be performing her song "Light The Sky," which is also featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack.

With a diverse set of artists set to perform, the closing ceremony should be one to remember, followed by an even more memorable clash between two of the world's best teams.

Christian Pulisic may be back with Chelsea following the FIFA World Cup, but there is buzz that a change in scenery could be on the horizon come the January transfer window.

According to a report from ESPN, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal "have all been made aware of Pulisic's likely availability when the transfer window opens, and sources told ESPN the player's representatives are keen to find him a new club four years after he signed for Chelsea in a £58 million ($70.4 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund."

This week, Pulisic appeared on Steve Schlanger and Tim Ream's Indirect podcast and didn't exactly put to rest any looming doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge.

"Right now I'm absolutely back at Chelsea, focused and ready to finish the season," he said. "But you know how things work in football...things change quickly and anything can happen. At the moment, I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea, because that's where I am right now."

Pulisic has thrived for the USMNT, scoring a goal and adding two assists in four games at the most recent World Cup. He is undoubtedly the face of men's soccer in the United States and one of the country's most talented and important players.

At Chelsea, however, his role and impact have waxed and waned. That comes down partially to a Chelsea roster loaded with talent in the attacking positions. Pulisic is left fighting for playing time alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, among others.

At Arsenal, cracking the starting 11 may not be much easier. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are entrenched as the starters on the wing, though Martinelli may see some time as a central striker while Gabriel Jesus is sidelined. Arsenal do lack depth on the wing, however, so Pulisic would be the next man up.

United equally are crowded at the attacking positions, with players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Antony and Anthony Elanga all jockeying for time.

So, Newcastle might offer the best avenue for a consistent role, though the soaring Magpies aren't devoid of talent themselves.

Whatever January holds for Pulisic, it wouldn't be shocking to see him depart Chelsea. A change in scenery feels like the right move.

Croatia captured third place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup through some thrilling attacking soccer inside the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.

Joško Gvardiol and Mislav Oršić scored the goals for Croatia.

But the reaction after the win over Morocco was more about praising Luka Modrić.

The 37-year-old likely played in his last World Cup game on Saturday. The Real Madrid star has been a vital piece of Croatia's last two World Cup runs. The European side was the runner-up to France four years ago in Russia.

Modrić has played 162 games for Croatia and scored 23 goals, the last of which was scored in the UEFA Nations League in September. He scored twice in Russia four years ago.

With 28 days of action in the books, the World Cup is set to wrap up with the closing ceremony and final between Argentina and France on Sunday.

Unlike an Olympics closing ceremony, which happens after the last event has been contested, the World Cup equivalent will be held prior to the FIFA tournament's final match.

Because of this, it's more truncated than you might expect; according to a press release from FIFA, it will last 15 minutes (compared to closer to 30 for the opening ceremony).

Here's everything you need to know to tune in to the World Cup closing ceremony in Qatar, as well as what to watch for when you do.

World Cup 2022 Closing Ceremony

Date: Sunday, December 18

Location: Lusail Stadium; Doha, Qatar

Time: 8 a.m. ET (4 p.m. local time)

TV: Fox, Telemundo (U.S.)

Live Stream: Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo

FIFA had been keeping the full slate of closing ceremony performers under wraps, but on Friday night, it released a list of acts, including headliner Nigerian-American musician Davido, whose song with Aisha, "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)," is featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack.

Also taking the stage will be Ozuna and Gims performing "Arhbo" and an all-female lineup singing "Light the Sky," including Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal.

"'A Night to Remember' will reflect on the tournament through music and poetry," according to FIFA

Per ABC News, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will also "reportedly feature in a music video for this year's World Cup finale."

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will lead the six-person U.S. delegation at the closing ceremony.

After the closing ceremony at 8 a.m. ET at Lusail Stadium—the largest venue that has hosted tournament games, with a capacity of 80,000—the final between Argentina and France, the 64th match of the tournament, will get underway at 10 a.m. ET. The opening ceremony was held at Al Bayt Stadium.

Both Argentina and France are looking to win a third World Cup title.