DOHA: Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the World Cup on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time. Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third World Cup and prevent France becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

But a truly remarkable game saw Messi and Mbappe both live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England's Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time. The win allows Messi, at 35, to complete his glorious career by emulating Diego Maradona, and this will be remembered as his tournament despite the best efforts of Mbappe, who finished as the tournament's top scorer on eight goals, one more than his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Messi.

Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani wraps a bisht around Argentina's forward Lionel Messi onstage next to the FIFA World Cup trophy.

HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a congratulatory cable to Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday on the exceptional success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by the Gulf country from Nov 20 until Dec 18. HH the Amir said the championship was held in a manner that highlighted, to the entire world, the message of Islam, peace and Arab civilization, as well as reflected the bright civilized face of Qatar and its urban and developmental renaissance under the wise leadership of Sheikh Tamim.

LUSAIL: Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani look on during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony on December 18, 2022. Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out. - AFP

Furthermore, HH the Amir extolled Qatar's great preparations, and distinguished and high-level capabilities in organizing this international sporting event. The championship gained praise and admiration of everyone all over the world, the cable said, indicating that Qatar represented all Arab countries well, as it made, after this successful hosting, a model difficult to match in the future. HH the Amir wished Sheikh Tamim and the Father Amir everlasting health and further prosperity and progress to Qatar. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah also sent congratulatory cables to the Qatari Amir. - Agencies