Honestly, if you missed the final on December 18, 2022, you missed arguably the greatest sporting event in human history. It was pure chaos. People keep asking who won 2022 World Cup like it was a simple 1-0 affair, but the reality was a heart-stopping, nerve-shredding rollercoaster that lasted 120 minutes plus penalties. Argentina won. They did it. But the "how" is way more interesting than the "who."
Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the one trophy that had eluded him for his entire career. It felt like a movie script. You had the aging king in Messi and the young pretender in Kylian Mbappé, both teammates at PSG at the time, basically playing a game of "anything you can do, I can do better" on the world's biggest stage at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
The Chaos of the Final: Argentina vs. France
Argentina didn’t just win; they survived. For about 80 minutes, it looked like a total blowout. Argentina was up 2-0. Messi scored a penalty, and Angel Di Maria—who always seems to show up in big finals—scored a beautiful team goal. France looked dead. They hadn't even had a shot on target. Then, out of nowhere, Kylian Mbappé decided he wasn't ready to go home. He scored twice in 97 seconds.
97 seconds. Think about that.
One minute you’re celebrating a world title, and the next, you’re staring at a 2-2 draw with ten minutes left. The momentum shift was so violent it felt like the stadium was tilting. Argentina fans were crying in the stands. It went to extra time, Messi scored again to make it 3-2, and then Mbappé—the absolute madman—scored another penalty to complete his hat-trick. 3-3.
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Why the 2022 Final Was Different
Most World Cup finals are boring. They’re cagey, defensive, and played by teams terrified of making a mistake. This wasn't that. This was a heavyweight boxing match where both guys stopped guarding their faces and just swung.
- Lionel Messi's Legacy: Before this, people used Diego Maradona to beat Messi over the head. "Maradona won a World Cup, Messi hasn't." That argument died that night.
- The Emi Martínez Factor: Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, became a national hero. His save against Randal Kolo Muani in the 123rd minute is probably the most important save in the history of the sport. If he doesn't stick his left leg out there, France wins 4-3 and we aren't talking about Messi’s legacy today.
- The Penalty Shootout: Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. Gonzalo Montiel scored the winner. It was clinical.
Who Won 2022 World Cup and How They Built the Team
The story of Argentina's victory actually starts with a loss. Remember the opening game? Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia. 2-1. It was one of the biggest upsets ever. People were laughing. They thought Messi was washed and the team was a fluke.
But Lionel Scaloni, the manager who basically nobody wanted when he was hired, changed everything. He realized he couldn't just have ten guys standing around watching Messi. He brought in young, hungry players like Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez. These guys grew up with posters of Messi on their walls, and now they were running their lungs out to make sure their idol didn't lose his last chance.
The Tactical Shift
Scaloni moved away from the rigid systems of past Argentina managers. He built a "chameleon" team. Against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, they were aggressive and confrontational. Against Croatia in the semi-finals, they were a counter-attacking machine. By the time they reached the final, they were a group of players who were ready to die for the cause.
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It's also worth noting the sheer volume of yellow cards and drama. The "Battle of Lusail" against the Netherlands saw 18 yellow cards. Argentina wasn't just playing "beautiful football"; they were scrapers. They were mean. They were exactly what Messi needed to get over the finish line.
Beyond the Pitch: The Qatar Controversy
You can't talk about who won 2022 World Cup without mentioning where it happened. Qatar was a controversial host from day one. There were massive concerns about human rights, the construction of stadiums, and the fact that the tournament had to be moved to November and December because playing in 120-degree heat in the summer is impossible.
It was the first World Cup ever held in the Arab world. While the Western media focused heavily on the politics—and rightly so regarding labor laws and LGBTQ+ rights—the atmosphere on the ground was a massive celebration of football for the Middle East and Africa. Morocco’s run to the semi-finals was just as big of a story as Argentina’s win for many people. They became the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage, beating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way.
Surprising Facts About the 2022 Champions
- Messi won the Golden Ball: He became the first player to win the tournament's best player award twice (he also won it in 2014 when they lost the final).
- Mbappé won the Golden Boot: He scored 8 goals, including that hat-trick in the final. Losing after scoring three goals in a final is a level of heartbreak most of us can't imagine.
- The Bisht: When Messi lifted the trophy, the Emir of Qatar placed a traditional black cloak called a bisht over his shoulders. It was a polarizing image, but for Argentina, it was just the crowning of a king.
- The Drought Ended: Argentina hadn't won a World Cup since 1986. That’s 36 years of waiting.
What This Means for Football Moving Forward
The 2022 World Cup felt like the end of an era. It was likely the last time we saw Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at their peak (or near-peak) in a World Cup. But it also showed that the gap between the "giants" and the rest of the world is shrinking. Japan beat Germany and Spain. Saudi Arabia beat the eventual champions.
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If you're looking for the technical answer to who won 2022 World Cup, it's Argentina. But if you're looking for the "vibe" answer, it's that football won. The final was so good it almost made you forget the years of controversy leading up to it. Almost.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
To truly understand the impact of Argentina's win, you should look beyond the highlights. Here is what you can do to get the full picture of that era:
- Watch 'Captains of the World' on Netflix: This documentary gives behind-the-scenes access to the locker rooms during the tournament. You see exactly how stressed Messi was and how much pressure was on the team after that Saudi Arabia loss.
- Study the 'Scaloneta': Look up Lionel Scaloni’s tactical evolution. He is now one of the most respected managers in the world despite having zero head coaching experience before taking the Argentina job.
- Compare 1986 vs. 2022: Watch highlights of Maradona in '86 and Messi in '22. The styles are different, but the weight of a whole nation on one man's shoulders is exactly the same.
- Follow the 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina didn't just stop after the World Cup. They won the 2024 Copa América too. They are currently the #1 ranked team in the world for a reason.
Argentina’s victory in 2022 wasn't just a win; it was a coronation that settled the "Greatest of All Time" debate for millions of fans across the globe.