The 2022 FIFA World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium delivered what many analysts call the greatest match in football history. Argentina secured their third world title by defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a breathless 3-3 draw. Beneath the emotional drama of Lionel Messi hoisting the trophy and Kylian Mbappé scoring a historic hat-trick lies a dense web of tactical shifts and staggering data points that explained how the spectacle unfolded.
Examining the deep performance metrics reveals why Argentina dominated large stretches before nearly collapsing, how France engineered a stunning 97-second comeback, and which exact numbers separated victory from heartbreak.
Tactical Foundations and First-Half Control
Argentina entered the match utilizing a fluid 4-3-3 structure designed to exploit space down the flanks. Lionel Scaloni made a tactical surprise by starting Ángel Di María on the left wing rather than his usual right. This move paid massive dividends. France struggled to cope with Argentina's setup during the opening forty-five minutes, registering zero shots on target while conceding two goals.
- Possession Share: Argentina controlled 54% of the ball in regulation, suffocating French transitions early.
- Expected Goals (xG): Argentina generated 3.23 expected goals over the match compared to France's 2.27, reflecting superior chance creation through open play for the majority of the fixture.
- Line Breaks: Scaloni's side completed 172 line breaks compared to France's 107, showing how cleanly the South American midfielders bypassed French pressure.
Ángel Di María's inclusion proved decisive when he won a penalty converted by Lionel Messi in the 23rd minute, followed by a brilliant sweeping team goal in the 36th minute finished by Di María himself. At halftime, France looked disjointed, having completed just 77% of their passes under intense pressure.
The French Resurgence and Mbappé's Brilliance
Trailing 2-0 with less than twenty minutes remaining, France manager Didier Deschamps injected pace and directness through substitutes like Kingsley Coman and Marcus Thuram. The structural shift completely altered the game's momentum.
Kylian Mbappé ignited the comeback in the 80th minute with a penalty, followed immediately by a stunning volley 97 seconds later to level the score at 2-2.
- Hat-Trick History: Mbappé became only the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, joining England's Geoff Hurst from 1966.
- Total Shots: France finished with 10 total shots, converting clinical opportunities when it mattered most.
- Duels Won: France won 57% of aerial duels, using physical dominance in extra time to disrupt Argentina's rhythm.
Extra Time and the Battle of Creative Titans
As legs tired, the match evolved into an open tactical duel. Lionel Messi struck again in the 108th minute, poking home a rebound to give Argentina a 3-2 lead. Yet, France refused to yield. A penalty awarded for a handball gave Mbappé the chance to equalize once more in the 118th minute, completing his hat-trick and forcing a dramatic penalty shootout.
- Touches in Opposition Box: Argentina registered 29 touches in the opposition box to France's 20, illustrating their persistent offensive pressure throughout the 120 minutes.
- Passing Accuracy: Argentina completed 525 passes at an 83% success rate, maintaining composure despite extreme psychological pressure.
Penalty Shootout Decider
The shootout came down to execution and psychological resilience. Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save against Aurélien Tchouaméni, while Kingsley Coman missed his effort for France. Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to slot home the winning spot-kick, sealing a 4-2 shootout triumph.
- Shootout Conversion: Argentina converted 100% of their four penalties (Messi, Dybala, Paredes, Montiel), leaving no room for error.
- Save Metric: Emiliano Martínez's psychological gamesmanship and vital extra-time save against Randal Kolo Muani preserved Argentina's tournament life seconds before the final whistle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 World Cup final?
Argentina won the final, defeating France 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 3-3 following extra time.
How many goals did Kylian Mbappé score in the final?
Mbappé scored three goals (a hat-trick), including two penalties and one open-play volley.
What were the final possession statistics?
Argentina held 54% of the ball during regulation and extra time, compared to France's 46%.
Was this the highest-scoring World Cup final ever?
Yes, the six goals scored during regulation and extra time make it the highest-scoring regulation draw in FIFA World Cup final history.
