Argentina 2-0 France in the first half time of the World Cup final match. Messi made World Cup history with his first half goal. With his goal on a penalty kick in the first half, Lionel Messi became the first man in World Cup history to score in all five rounds at a single tournament. Angel Di Maria has made it 2-0 for Argentina in the World Cup final. The Associated Press has the story:
Live updates | Argentina vs. France in World Cup final
Newslooks- LUSAIL, Qatar (AP)
The Latest from the World Cup final between Argentina and France:
Entertainers perform during the tournament closing ceremony prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
An Argentinian places a poster of their star player Lionel Messi’s before the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Lionel Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthäus.
A fan of France cheers prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Argentinian fans cheer before the the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Messi has said this is likely to be his last World Cup.
A soccer fan holds a poster depicting football legend Diego Maradona during a rally in support of the national soccer team, a day ahead of the World Cup final against France, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at Lusail stadium for the World Cup final.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he arrives on the tribune ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
About 45 minutes before kickoff, Macron was chatting in the VVIP section with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who played for four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who has had to watch the entire World Cup from the sidelines due to an injury.
Fireworks go off on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Pogba scored in the final when France won the 2018 World Cup but was not fit for selection at this tournament.
Macron also attended the final four years ago, when France beat Croatia 4-2, and later celebrated with players in the locker room.
The flags of Argentina and France hang from the roof of the stadium ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The closing ceremony for the World Cup featured artists from around the world performing songs from the official soundtrack of the tournament in Qatar.
The performers at Lusail stadium included Nigerian singer Davido and Qatari-based songwriter Aisha, Congolese artist Gims and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ozuna.
A flypast of takes place over the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, where the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France is going to be played on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
The show, featuring fireworks and a light show, was meant to celebrate the world coming together for the monthlong tournament in the Gulf emirate.
Lionel Messi will lead an Argentina team containing Angel Di Maria, who starts for the first time since sustaining a foot injury against Poland in the final round of group games.
Argentine soccer fans gather at the Obelisk landmark during a rally in support of the national soccer team, a day ahead of the World Cup final against France, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Di Maria takes the place of Leandro Paredes in midfield as Argentina again rolls out a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi one of the two forwards. Nicolas Tagliafico is preferred to Marcos Acuña at left back.
Argentinian fans cheer before the the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Kylian Mbappé starts up front for France alongside Olivier Giroud, who has overcome a minor knee injury. Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot come in for Ibrahima Konaté and Youssouf Fofana, respectively.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)Artists perform during the tournament’s closing ceremony ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
