Sport

47 of the best memes and reactions as Messi 'completes football' and wins World Cup

47 of the best memes and reactions as Messi 'completes football' and wins World Cup
Fans in Paris bar celebrate as Mbappé scores twice in two minutes …
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The 2022 World Cup was dogged by controversy even before it kicked off but the football, especially the final delivered a game for the ages as Argentina and France drew 3-3 in a highly dramatic game in Doha.

Argentina were cruising at 2-0 at half time thanks to a penalty from Lionel Messi then a superb counter attack finished by former Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria. France looked completely bereft of answers and manager Didier Deschamps made two substitutes before half time.

After a fairly subdued second half France burst into life after being awarded a penalty which Kylian Mbappe scored. Then within just a few seconds of that goal he scored again to make the score 2-2 and take the game to extra time.

The drama wasn't done there though as Messi managed to score again by scrambling the ball over the line and the drama continued. France were awarded another penalty by the referee which Mbappe scored again to make him only the second man in World Cup history to score a hat-trick in the final after England legend Sir Geoff Hurst.

And so it went to a penalty shoot-out and it was Messi and Argentina's day as goalkeeper Emi Martinez proved the hero as Argentina scored all their penalties while France missed two. It completed Messi's destiny of becoming arguably the greatest football ever and won the one trophy that has alluded him in his final game for Argentina.

Here's how it played out in real-time on social media:Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Of course, the tournament will be best remembered for the controversy surrounding it and the stories of migrant worker deaths and the persecution of the LGBT+ community in Qatar.

Ultimately the conversation around the World Cup has mostly shifted to the football since it began but its paramount that these discussions continue especially in preparation for the 2026 which is being tri-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico - where one of those countries has recently outlawed abortions.

Here's how it played out in real-time on social media:




Some are confused about what time of day the match will be kicking off.

Lots of love for Roy Keane's outfit on ITV too which looks like something from Red Dead Redemption.



England's Jack Grealish is possibly watching the game in New York City but visiting the Home Alone 2 locations is the most important thing of his trip.

Elon Musk is there...make of that what you will.

Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot after a bright start by his side.



Elon Musk called it a 'great goal' (can a penalty be a great goal?)

Ukraine isn't happy mind but more with Fifa than anything.


Argentina took a 2-0 lead thanks to a fantastic counterattack goal finished by Angel Di Maria.





With things looking blake for the French, manager Didier Deschamps made two substitutes before half-time.



We're not sure LeBron James is watching this live.

A tense second-half saw Mbappe score a quick-fire double to equalise and take the game to 2-2.







And so it went to extra time...

Couldn't have said it better ourselves...

In the second period of extra time Argentina produced another piece of magic and Lionel Messi (it had to be him) scrambled the ball over the line to make it 3-2 in chaotic scenes.




It didn't end there though as France were given another penalty that Mbappe scored to make him only the second player ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final making the score 3-3.



We've run out of things to say but a superb showing by Argentina's goalkeeper Emi Martinez ultimately helped his side win the World Cup 4-2 on penalties and finally, Leo Messi has completed football.













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