Lionel Messi scored his second goal in the second half of extra-time to give Argentina the lead against France in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Lusail Stadium In Qatar.

France's Kylian Mbappe scored twice in two minutes late in the game, including an 80th-minute penalty, to salvage a 2-2 draw with Argentina after 90 minutes and force extra time in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe stunned Argentines as he scored a brace inside two minutes to bring France back into the final of the World Cup against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. 

Argentina led France 2-0 at halftime in the World Cup final on Sunday after Lionel Messi netted his sixth goal of the tournament and Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage from a thrilling counter-attack.

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria got at the end of a majestic Argentine move to double the lead for the Argentines in the 36th minute.

Lionel Messi, in his record 26th appearance at the World Cup, converted a penalty in the 23rd minute to give Argentina the lead in the final against France at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday.

Angel Di Maria is starting for Argentina in their World Cup final clash against France as coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a 4-3-3 formation on Sunday.

After 63 matches, the World Cup in Qatar comes to a close on Sunday when reigning champions France take on Argentina in a showpiece final at Lusail Stadium with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest.

After a mesmerising month of upsets, when several brash outsiders threatened soccer's status quo, the World Cup final will have a familiar feel on Sunday when two of the sport's super-heavyweights go toe to toe, each seeking a third title.

Arsene Wenger has praised "leader of the orchestra" Lionel Messi as the Argentine great bids to inspire his team to glory in Sunday's World Cup final against defending champions France.

Lionel Messi is hoping to crown his stellar career by leading Argentina to World Cup glory on Sunday but Kylian Mbappe's history-chasing France are standing in his way.

Kylian Mbappe can on Sunday become the youngest player to win two World Cups since Pele achieved the feat at the age of 21.

With Argentina reaching fever pitch just hours before Lionel Messi and his teammates take on France in the World Cup final, football fans throughout the country felt a sense of destiny brewing.

Lionel Messi, playing his last ever World Cup match is an everlasting inspiration with how he overcame repeated heartbreaks and obstacles to take the Argentine team to the path of their recent success. If there is one thing that we can learn from Messi, it is to tackle challenges head-on and come out as victors. His redemption story with the national team is a basis of how there is always a stage for a resurgence after you have been down with failures.

The era of Messi and Ronaldo has almost ended. It is unlikely that we will see either of them in the next World Cup and it is looking more and more likely that they will retire from football sooner than we can bear. That being said, it is time for the next GOAT to step up and claim his position, whoever that may be. As things stand, Kylian Mbappé just might be that GOAT we are looking for.

The World Cup final between Argentina and France is almost upon us and the expectation is growing more and more. Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste have a historic opportunity to lift the trophy for the third time in their history.

Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer at the World Cup, although that doesn't mean he no longer has an interest in who takes the new world throne, which will be decided between France and Argentina.

Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez criticised Kylian Mbappe over old comments the France striker made about the quality of South American football.

France midfielder Paul Pogba sent his team-mates a video message ahead of Sunday's showdown with Argentina.

Wearing clothes back to front, holding a picture of Diego Maradona or a stamp depicting the saint of urgent causes, even a grandmother sitting in the same chair: superstitious Argentines are taking no chances for Sunday's World Cup final.