3-5-2 FOOTBALL

In probably the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history, Argentina won its third World Cup title. They beat France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from Lionel Messi and a hat trick by Kylian Mbappé. Messi was in scintillating form from the start of the final, putting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot after Angel Di Maria was tripped. Just 11 minutes later, he played a part in a flowing team move that resulted in Di Maria making it 2-0 after 36 minutes. Argentina dominated the first half and took a 2-0 lead into the break. Mbappé, on the other hand, was anonymous until bursting into life by scoring two goals in a 97-second span. The first came from the penalty spot in the 80th minute, and the other was a volley to take the game to extra time at 2-2. The 35-year-old Messi still had plenty of energy, and he was in the right position to tap in his second goal in the 108th minute. Argentina was on the brink of the title once again. However, Franc...

Senegal clinched its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title after missing out on two previous occasions. The final was a match billed as a battle between Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane , of Senegal, and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah . Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time. The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski . Chelsea's Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde's Olembe Stadium. After two frustrating finals, Senegal ended their wait to be the Africa Cup of Nations Champions. Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah. THE MATCH