Mbappé electrifies in World Cup epic, ends up on losing side
Story by By GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick seemingly from out of nowhere to electrify the World Cup final, he ended the tournament as the leading scorer with eight goals, and he still missed out on winning a second straight title.
France's Kylian Mbappe walks past the trophy at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his side's second goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
The France superstar was on the losing side of an epic final against Argentina that was settled in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw on Sunday. He was then consoled on the field by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Kylian has really left his mark on this final,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
Mbappé had been the leader France desperately needed as time was running out with the defending champions trailing 2-0 and playing poorly. The forward had also been almost invisible up to that point.
But his goals carried France back into the match — twice. First, late in regulation time. Then again deep in extra time.
Mbappé converted a penalty in the 80th minute and then scored with a volley from just inside the area in the 81st.
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring from the penalty spot his side's third goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
It took only 97 seconds for him to get France even with Argentina and the great Lionel Messi.
Mbappé scored a second penalty in extra time, about 10 minutes after Messi had given Argentina the lead again in what became a compelling duel between the two players.
Mbappé's hat trick was only the second in a World Cup final — the other was by England striker Geoff Hurst in 1966.
But Mbappé couldn't quite match the Brazil great's back-to-back World Cup titles — both players were teenagers when they won their first one, Pelé in 1958 and Mbappé in 2018.
One minute before Mbappé turned the game on its head, Argentina’s fans began to taunt him.
Chants of “Olé, Olé” rained down from the stands at Lusail Stadium as Mbappé futilely chased the ball while his opponents passed it over and around him.
WCup Argentina France Soccer© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
Mbappé gestured in frustration with his right arm at the apparent hopelessness of the situation.
But after scoring his first two goals, Mbappé surged into the Argentina half looking for a game-winning third. His darting, twisting run resulted in a shot deflected just too high.
Once he eventually got the hat trick to make it 3-3 in extra time, Mbappé set out for a fourth. His curling cross barely eluded the head of substitute Randal Kolo Muani, and a final dribble deep into the Argentina penalty area was scrambled clear as he looked to shoot.
France's Kylian Mbappe walks with the Golden Boot award for top goal scorer of the tournament during the awards ceremony after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final soccer match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
He shouted out loud as his last attempt to win the game single-handedly slipped away.
Mbappé tried to set the tone in the penalty shootout, taking responsibility for the first kick. He converted the penalty but France still ended up losing 4-2. Messi did the same for Argentina to start the shootout, but his teammates all scored their penalties.
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring from the penalty spot his side's third goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
During the shootout, Mbappé made sure he was the first to console Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni on their slow walks back to the center circle after their failures to score.
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his side's third goal past Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
Mbappé stood bent over in the center circle, hands on his knees, as Argentina defender Gonzalo Montiel prepared to take the decisive kick. He then squatted, saw the net ripple and walked away alone amid the Argentina celebrations.
France's Kylian Mbappe sits on the bench at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
Deschamps eventually came over behind his player to put arms around his neck. Mbappé soon went to the team dugout and sat slumped in a chair with his dark blue shirt pulled up over his face to hide his emotions.
France's President Emmanuel Macron and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez comfort France's Kylian Mbappe at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)© Provided by Associated Press – Sports
Long after the game was over, Mbappé left the stadium with his head bowed and the World Cup trophy securely in the hands of Messi.
Associated Press
