QATAR – La Albiceleste defeat France in a thrilling final to win the title for a third time, sending shockwaves of joy through Lusail Stadium.

They took off with a leap. They pounded their fists in joy. They finally prevailed as the battle came to an end.

After their previous victory in Mexico 36 years prior, Argentina had recently defeated France in the thrilling World Cup final in Qatar thanks to a goal from Gonzalo Montiel, who also converted the game-winning penalty.

People wearing blue and white screamed and hugged one another in the crowded Lusail Stadium on Sunday as they celebrated their victory. 120 minutes of breathless regulation time and extra time action had come before, during which France twice came from behind to tie the score at 3-3, forcing a penalty shootout.

Soon after captain Lionel Messi raised the trophy, Argentina supporter Pablo Ramirez told Al Jazeera with tears in his eyes, “I can’t articulate the sensations I have right now.”

The 34-year-old, who traveled to Qatar from the country’s capital, Buenos Aires, declared, “It’s the finest day of my life.”

The businessman declared, “At last, we are champions once more.” “The wait is too long. After that comeback, I believed France would triumph. I was trembling a lot.

Not everyone did what he did.

As he dedicated the triumph to his parents, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was also clearly overcome with emotion.

He told reporters after the game, “I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a great game. This team replies to anything, which is unbelievable.

“I’m pleased with the job they did. This makes you feel sad, especially after the punches we took today. I want to encourage everyone to have fun. It’s a crucial time in our nation’s history.

The game had practically everything, making it possibly the most exciting World Cup final ever.

Messi’s goal from the penalty spot gave Argentina the advantage in the 23rd minute. He did this to become the first player to score in each of the four World Cup knockout rounds.

In the 36th minute, they increased their advantage as winger Angel Di Maria completed an outstanding team play that began in Argentina’s half.

The French superstar Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot with around 10 minutes left in regulation, but La Albiceleste had maintained control.

The game entered overtime after Mbappe’s second goal, which came less than two minutes later and startled the Argentina supporters.

In the 108th minute, Messi answered with his second goal of the game to make it 3-2 Argentina. However, a handball by Montiel in the penalty area allowed Mbappe to score France’s second penalty and pull them even once more.

Emiliano Martinez of Argentina stopped Kingsley Coman’s penalty attempt in the shootout, and Aurelien Tchouameni of France also missed his attempt, before Montiel converted Argentina’s fourth penalty to win the match.

Carlos Ruiz, an Argentine supporter, claimed he had never felt more anxious.

He described his feelings after France scored an equalizer in regular time by saying, “My heart was in my throat.”

Ruiz, who currently lives in Tampa, Florida but was up close to Buenos Aires, remarked, “I could hardly sit still.” Messi is now unquestionably as famous as Diego Maradona because of his final World Cup victory, which was tense but spectacular.

With the exception of the most coveted award of them all, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had achieved everything possible as a member of a football club.

The 35-year-old Messi told reporters after the game, “It’s crazy that it happened this way. I wished for this very much. I felt confident that God would grant it to me. I’ll now enjoy it.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward exclaimed, “Look at this prize.” “It’s lovely. We endured a lot of pain, but we succeeded. This is going to be so crazy; I can’t wait to witness it in person in Argentina.

Augusto Fasio, an Argentine fan, shared this sentiment.