Lionel Messi and his teammates had been as a result of arrive in Argentina to a hero’s welcome on Monday as hundreds of thousands of their compatriots waited to catch a glimpse of the World Cup trophy. In the capital Buenos Aires and all through the nation, hundreds of thousands took to the streets on Sunday to rejoice the penalty shoot-out victory over France in a outstanding closing in Qatar. Messi lastly topped his record-breaking profession with soccer’s greatest prize as he produced one of many biggest World Cup closing performances, scoring a first-half penalty and netting once more in further time.

France had fought again from 2-0 down within the final 10 minutes of the match as Kylian Mbappe scored twice to equalise and power further time in a pulsating match watched by an 89,000 crowd in Lusail Stadium.

Messi appeared to have determined the match in further time along with his second purpose of the sport earlier than his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe accomplished solely the second World Cup closing hat-trick in historical past to carry the rating to 3-3 and power penalties. Gonzalo Montiel swept dwelling the decisive spot kick to win the shootout 4-2 for Argentina — however this was Messi’s second.

And whereas the gamers had been capable of rejoice with an estimated 40,000 followers contained in the stadium on Sunday, 45 million folks again dwelling are desirous to share the second with them on Monday night. Ahead of their return, the Argentina staff took half in an open-bus parade in Qatar.

“Of course, it’s what we’re all waiting for,” instructor Veronica Silva, 44, informed AFP from the Plaza de Mayo sq. in central Buenos Aires. “This will continue for a couple of days. It started now and it won’t end tomorrow because they arrive tomorrow: it will go on for longer.”

“Of course we can’t wait to see the players, all of them,” added cleaner Rosa Rodriguez, 63. “It’s a good team who did us proud. The biggest celebration will be when they arrive.”

Messi had tasted bitter defeat within the 2014 closing in opposition to Germany however in his fifth and closing World Cup, the 35-year-old lastly emulated Argentina idol the late Diego Maradona by main his nation to World Cup glory for the primary time since 1986. He informed Argentine tv: “My career is coming to end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”

But he mentioned he would proceed with the Argentina squad. “I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” he added.

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