Kathmandu,

December 19,

Messi's Argentina clinched their third World Cup trophy from six final appearances in history on Sunday (18 December), seeing off France 4–2 on penalties (3–3 after extra time) to win the biggest prize in men's football.

Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria scored in the first half before Kylian Mbappe found the net two times in the second half to force the game into extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead in extra-time before Mbappe completed his hat trick from the penalty spot to send the game to a penalty shootout.

The result means Messi, playing in his record 26th  and final World Cup match, achieves a fairy-tale ending as he lifts the trophy for the first time -the only major honour to have eluded him in his career.