World Cup final (1st half), Argentina 2-0 up against France
Argentina have eked out a stunning 2-0 lead over reigning champions France by half-time of the FIFA World Cup 2022 final. Argentina earned a penalty after a foul by Ousmane Dembele in the box. Record-breaking Lionel Messi converted to put Argentina 1-0 up. Argentina fetched the second off a counter, with Alexis Mac Allister setting up Angel Di Maria to almost seal the duel.
Messi slams these records
As per William Hill, Messi has become the first man in WC history to score in all five rounds at a single tournament: group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Messi (35y 177d) is now the second-oldest player to score in a WC final, only Sweden's Nils Liedholm was older when he scored against Brazil in 1958 (35y 264d).
Other feats attained by Messi
As per Opta, Messi's 20 goal involvements (G12 A8) are the most of any player on record at the World Cup (1966 onwards). Messi scored his 12th goal in the FIFA World Cup, becoming the joint-fifth-highest goal-scorer in the competition alongside Pele. Messi (26) is now the most capped player in the WC, steering clear of Lothar Matthaus (25).
Records galore for Messi
As per Squawka, Messi is one of two men to have scored 25-plus goals across the World Cup, European Championship, Copa America, and Africa Cup of Nations. He has equaled Brazilian Ronaldo (25).
Di Maria inks this feat
Di Maria has now scored in each of the last three editions of the World Cup (2022, 2018, and 2014), with all three goals coming in the knockout rounds and today his second versus France. As per William Hill, Di Maria is the first player in Argentina's history to score in both the Copa America final and the World Cup final.
Distinguishable feats for Messi and Di Maria
There have been two players aged 34 or older to score in the 2022 World Cup final (Messi/Di Maria), which is as many as there were in World Cup finals between 1930 and 2018 (Liedholm/Zinedine Zidane).
