Dhe Argentinian media lauded the Albiceleste’s performance in the World Cup triumph in Qatar on penalties against defending champions France. Above all, Lionel Messi was celebrated, who won the title for the first time in his fifth World Cup appearance. The international press comments at a glance:
Argentina:
Ole: “Hug, scream, cry. We are world champions in the most exciting finale in history. In the final that no one could have imagined. We are world champions despite Mbappe. We are world champions and over time we will analyze whether we really suffered that much. Does that matter now? What difference does it make! We are world champions because we played better in the final. Even with the risk of losing it.”
La Nacion: “Argentina World Champion! The crowning glory: Messi’s team won the best final in history and secured a place in football heaven. They had to endure the onslaught of France, a (former) world champion who wasn’t about to lay down his crown as humbly as it seemed in the opening 70 minutes. And we had to accept going to penalties when it looked like Messi’s extra-time goal would be the last of the night. But it was not so. To win you have to be able to suffer. And now enjoy.”
Clarin: “The Seleccion celebrates a return to glory after 36 years and Messi is now a legend. Messi is world champion. And it’s justice. In Qatar. In a magical and exotic world championship that left a magical and exotic final. A final with a Mbappe in devil mode, author of three goals that saved France from a beating.”
Diario Popular: “After 36 years, Argentina is once again a single cry and a clenched fist in its entire breadth and length: WE ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Messi deserves this World Cup. After so much suffering, after so many lost finals.”
France:
L’Equipe: “Messi-Mbappe: The legendary duel took place. Fatal tears after a surreal gameplay. It was perhaps the most beautiful endgame in history. It would take a whole book to tell the story of this 22nd World Cup final.”
Le Monde: “With Messi and Mbappe in the final, Paris St. Germain and Qatar were the undisputed winners of the final.”
Le Figaro: “Didier Deschamps – despite everything, a legend.”
Liberation: “From St. Nazaire to Paris and Lyon to Strasbourg, everyone agrees: we will never see a final like this again.”
Le Parisien: “In the end Les Bleus were defeated after an unreal and so cruel final. Kylian Mbappe’s three goals weren’t enough, even if Didier Deschamps threw almost everything overboard.”
Ouest France: “Like in 2006, France lost a breathtaking World Cup final to Italy on penalties. Argentina dominated the final but could have lost it at the end of a completely crazy encounter.”
