Lionel Messi, World Cup winner. Finally, fantastically – frenetically – a World Cup winner.
Maybe dreams do come true. Maybe stories can have their fairytale endings. Maybe it was written that Argentina would be two goals up against the world champions and then pegged back in 97 seconds at the end of normal time, and then think they had won it all over again.
That they would come through a World Cup final for the ages – 2-2 in normal time, 3-3 in extra-time – on penalties, that Messi would after all not be denied. Not by Kylian Mbappe’s heroic hat-trick, not by France, not apparently by cruel fate either.
The tears flowed, on the pitch and in the stands. Perhaps all around the footballing world, which in the build-up to Sunday’s final seemed to unite behind not a country, but one man.
Messi hails from Argentina, had gone to Europe by age 13 and is back now at 35 as their leader, their lightning in a bottle, their last hope for a first World Cup crown in 36 years. A third overall.
But all through Qatar these past four weeks, the sense was he was everybody’s too. At a trembling Lusail Stadium against France, they had what they craved, what Messi has craved across the lost finals – four, including the 2014 World Cup – and the international retirement and the return.
If the 2021 Copa America success relieved the pressure valve of expectation, then the 2022 World Cup hoisted Messi to the rarest of environs, occupied only by one.
Budge up, Diego. Move over, Maradona. At last – at long last –there’s room for two.
How do you sum up all that? That the 64th and final match of this utterly extraordinary World Cup would come down to this?
For most of normal time, it was going to Argentina. They had swarmed all over France from the onset, grabbing a deserved lead on 21 minutes, when Di Maria sold Ousmane Dembele a dummy, chopped inside and was tripped by the faintest of touches.
Messi sent Lloris the wrong way from the spot. It marked his record-extending 12th for Argentina at the global finals; the third of four penalties converted this past month.
Soon it was two. Nine minutes before half-time, Messi caressed a pass with the outside of his boot in the way that only he really can to Julian Alvarez, who released Alexis Mac Allister to roll across to Di Maria, who supplied the finish. The Juventus winger, not used too much this World Cup, was crying even then.
Immediately, Didier Deschamps hooked Olivier Giroud and Dembele, the duo not lasting the half, France’s malaise laid bare. Yet, from nowhere, they rallied.
Late in the second half, with Argentina poised to see it out with minimum fuss, Nicolas Otamendi brought down substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the area, and Mbappe converted.
Ninety-seven seconds later, he hauled back France from the brink. Messi – of all people – surrendered possession and the ball found its way to Mbappe, who volleyed beautifully past Emi Martinez.
As Argentina lost all sense and shape, Otamendi looked to have felled Muani again in the area, but the referee booked the France forward for simulation.
Deep into injury-time, Lloris palmed away Messi’s thunderous drive. In extra-time, Dayot Upamecano blocked brilliantly from Lautaro Martinez, the kind of block that wins World Cups, and Raphael Varane headed clear Gonzalo Montiel’s goal-bound shot.
Martinez, another late introduction, poked wide when almost through. Messi tested Lloris again, low to his left.
On 108 minutes, Messi thought he’d won it. Again. Everyone did. He followed up Lloris’ save at point-blank from Martinez and bundled the ball home.
But Montiel used an arm to stop an Mbappe shot and Mbappe stroked home the spot-kick, ice evidently in his veins. A first World Cup final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst, more than half a century ago. His eighth goal this tournament, unmatched.
There was still time for Emi Martinez to somehow prevent Muani from snatching it, and Lautaro Martinez to head off target when the moment was there.
To penalties, to ecstasy and agony. Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman, Aurelien Tchouameni screwed wide, and Montiel atoned in the most spectacular way. Argentina had done it, Messi soon celebrating on the mic.
It was 9pm in Doha, 3pm in Buenos Aires. Argentines the world over were going to party until whatever time and wherever it was they ended up.
Messi and a mammoth effort from his team, beaten by Saudi Arabia in the opener, delivered it. Delivered it in the most dramatic of fashions. But, in the end, the 2022 World Cup delivered to Messi his ultimate coronation.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
SPECS
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The%20specs
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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South Korea
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
And%20Just%20Like%20That...
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Various%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%2C%20Cynthia%20Nixon%2C%20Kristin%20Davis%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
