Featured Image Credit: TSN
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Football World Cup, France
Josh Lawless
Lionel Messi finally became a World Cup winner at the age of 35 and Peter Drury described the special moment in wonderful fashion.
Argentina and France played out a breathtaking 3-3 draw in 120 minutes of action at the Lusail Stadium and after Kylian Mbappe bagged a late penalty to clinch a World Cup final hat-trick, the scores were settled in a dramatic shoot-out.
After Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed, Gonzalo Montiel sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to clinch a third World Cup triumph for Argentina.
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Drury, easily the best commentator for the big moments, came up clutch again when Montiel slotted in his spot-kick and two-goal hero Messi fell to his knees in euphoria.
He yelled: "Montiel... Argentina, champions of the world. Again. At last. And the nation will tango all night long. 36 years ago since Maradona and Mexico, here finally is a nation's new throng of immortals. Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted.
"France this time denied... defied."
As celebrations were ramped up from an Argentina perspective ahead of the trophy lift, Drury continued to produce poetic goodness for Messi's long-awaited triumph.
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"Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise," Drury added.
"The little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe, has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own. He has his crowning moment and of course he is not alone.
"And one feels for Mbappe, who scored a World Cup final hat-trick and lost. How can that be?"
Messi lost three consecutive finals for Argentina and retired from international duty before eventually returning to the fold.
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He finally lifted the Copa America with his country last year and has gone one step further by captaining Argentina to a World Cup triumph.
He had said beforehand that it would be his last World Cup and he set a new record for the most appearances in the tournament with 26.
However, after the game the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed he will keep on playing.
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"I will not retire," Messi told reporters.
"I want to continue playing as a champion."