The 2022 World Cup final will be a game that will forever be a "where were you?" moment. A truly incredible match in Lusail that looked to be heading for a somewhat comfortable Argentina victory for the first 80 minutes turned into a breathtaking see-saw affair.
Kylian Mbappe became only the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final (after a certain Geoff Hurst) and the first to score one and lose, while Lionel Messi notched a brace. While the two superstars shone, it was the less glamorous name of Gonzalo Montiel who converted the decisive penalty in the shootout to win Argentina their first World Cup since 1986.
Here are the player ratings from the showpiece game.
Argentina
It is not often a 'keeper that concedes three goals gets such a high rating but given that two of those goals were penalties and he made a last ditch save to deny France a certain winner, it seems warranted. More importantly, with his shootout mind games and heroics, the Aston Villa stopper will go down in Argentinian and world football lore.
Nahuel Molina - 7
The Atletico Madrid full back was quietly efficient throughout the game and contributed to Argentina's scintillating second goal. Was withdrawn before the drama of extra-time.
Nicolas Otamendi - 7
Not a bad way to win your 100th cap for your country. The Benfica man was largely solid but it was his rash challenge for the first France penalty that opened the door for a way back into the final.
Cristian Romero - 7
The Tottenham man is cut from old-school cloth and fits the bill as the stereotypical psychopath South American centre half. He helped to keep a dangerous-looking France forward line largely quiet throughout.
The man who plays his club football in France for Lyon kept his place at left back despite Marcos Acuna being back to fitness, and he showed why he deserved it. Swashbuckling up and down the flank and kept Ousmane Dembele deathly quiet.
Enzo Fernandez - 8
Another Benfica man who came from the relative wilderness to win the Golden Boy award. Had not started a game for his country before this tournament but has blossomed into a midfield general that clubs all across Europe will be fighting to get their hands on.
Rodrigo de Paul - 8
Another man who patrolled the midfield and helped to dominate his French counterparts. Broke up attacks and started his own in equal measure. A complete midfield performance.
Alexis MacAllister - 8
The Brighton and Hove Albion man was everywhere in the first half and, although his impact waned as the game went on, he was a key man in this final and looks set to be a long-term superstar for Argentina.
Angel Di Maria - 8
The man who won the penalty in the first half and finished the incredible move for the second. It is likely to be his last game in a blue and white striped shirt and what a way to go out. Arguably was withdrawn too soon.
Julian Alvarez - 8
The young Manchester City striker was a wonderful foil for Lionel Messi and is part of a new generation of talented youngsters from Argentina. Ran all day and gave the French defence headaches.
Lionel Messi - 10
What else is there to say? Arguably the greatest player of all time crowning everything with the one trophy that has so far evaded him. He was the main leading light for his nation with two goals in the 120 minutes of madness before stepping up first in the shootout and coolly rolling it past Lloris. The images of him kissing and raising aloft the trophy will go down in history.
Substitutes
Marcos Acuna - 7
Came on for Di Maria to see the game out at 2-0 and did nothing wrong. Was his usual dog-like self ahead of Tagliafico.
Gonzalo Montiel - 7
Went from villain to hero in a manic extra-time and shootout. Entered the fray at the beginning of the final half hour of football and conceded the second penalty for a blatant handball. However, he will be etched into football history as he tucked away the clinching penalty to win the World Cup.
Leandro Paredes - 6
Replaced the leggy De Paul and, much like Acuna, did nothing wrong. However, a couple of rash challenges could have cost him and his team.
Lautaro Martinez - 6
The Inter Milan striker was on the pitch for less than twenty minutes but had more than one chance to clinch the game for Argentina. He did not take them but gave a tired French defence plenty to think about.
German Pezzella and Paulo Dybala - N/A
Neither were on the pitch long enough to make an impact in extra-time but Dybala did the job he was obviously brought on to do as he scored in the shootout. Not an easy job to do under such huge pressure with cold legs.
France
Hugo Lloris - 7
Nothing the France captain could do about any of the Argentinian goals and actually made some important saves, none more so than from Messi at the dying embers of stoppage time.
Joules Kounde - 7
The Sevilla man, who is normally a centre half, was deployed at right back on the biggest occasion of all and did well all things considered. He was caught a bit cold at times but stuck to his task admirably.
Raphael Varane - 6
The Manchester United defender was far from perfect but quite literally died on his feet as he had to be replaced late in extra-time after his legs gave out on him. One thing you can trust from Varane is 100% commitment.
Dayot Upamecano - 7
Much like his centre half partner, Upamecano was dogged and determined and made some desperate and heroic tackles and blocks under pressure.
Theo Hernandez - 6
Got no help or support in front of him for the first 40 minutes and suffered as a result. Fought valiantly but was always fighting an uphill battle against Messi and co.
The young midfield prodigy was invisible for large parts of the game as he and his countrymen were overran in the centre of the pitch. Came into the game more later on but never really got a foothold and was a victim of Martinez's mind games in the shootout. Credit is due for stepping up to take one.
Adrien Rabiot - 6
Another French player who was dogged and determined without much end product. He is always a grafter and that is what his country needed but De Paul and MacAllister most certainly got the better of him.
Before the tournament, many thought of him as a spent force but he has proved throughout there is still some fuel in his tank. However, he struggled to make an impact here in an advanced midfield role behind the attacking trio.
Ousmane Dembele - 3
If Dembele had any nightmares the night before the match, they probably weren't even as bad as how it turned out. You had to feel sorry for him as he looked like a headless chicken running around miles off the pace. He was beaten badly by Di Maria and conceded a stonewall penalty. Hooked before half-time. A disastrous evening for a clearly talented player.
Olivier Giroud - 4
Struggling with a knee problem before kick-off and clearly wasn't fully fit. Put himself about but was the blunt lead of the French pencil as he was withdrawn on 40 minutes along with Dembele.
Kylian Mbappe - 9
Was silent for 80 minutes before bursting into life as he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and hauled his country back into the final. Calmly converted the first penalty and his second just 90 seconds later was an incredible finish. Was the danger man from then on and finished his hat-trick, albeit in a losing cause, securing the Golden Boot. An incredible eight goals in Qatar gives him 12 in two tournaments aged just 23.
Substitutes
Marcus Thuram - 8
Entered the fray before half-time and immediately helped to make Didier Deschamps' men more dangerous. His direct running gave the Argentinian defence something to think about that they did not have to consider for the first 40 minutes.
Also summoned from the bench much earlier than even he was probably expecting. Much like Thuram, his pace and directness was a huge thorn in the Argentina side. Won the first penalty after tormenting Otamendi and only an outstretched Martinez leg stopped him from snatching a last-gasp winner.
Kingsley Coman - 7
Another excellent use of the replacements by Deschamps and makes one wonder whether he should have started. Robbed Messi of possession on the halfway line to kickstart the move for Mbappe's second.
The youngest member of an already youthful Les Bleus squad showed the composure that belies his tender age and gave the midfield that transition that De Paul was for Argentina and that France were so lacking before his introduction.
Youssouf Fofana - 6
The Monaco midfielder added more much-needed fresh legs as he replaced the spent Rabiot in extra time and solidified the middle with Camavinga.
Ibrahima Konate and Axel Disasi - N/A
Both defenders came on late but were not on long enough for any real impact, despite Konate briefly being deployed as an emergency striker.
