Kylian Mbappe became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final but end up on the losing side; the France star’s treble came in vain as Lionel Messi’s Argentina won on penalties; Mbappe can replace Messi as the best player in the world once the Argentina star retires
Kylian Mbappe is the natural heir to Lionel Messi after the World Cup final
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Kylian Mbappe is the natural heir to Lionel Messi after the World Cup final
It was one of the best World Cup finals in history, but it was only made possible by one man.
Lionel Messi took the headlines by captaining Argentina to glory but France’s Kylian Mbappe turned a mundane final heading towards a comfortable Albiceleste win into a truly classic contest.
After hauling France back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in the space of 60 seconds, the cameras cut to Mbappe’s brother, Ethan, in the crowd. “C’est toi, c’est toi [It’s all you, it’s all you!]” his sibling shouted from the stands.
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He wasn’t wrong. France were completely out of the game and heading towards defeat and only their talisman turned up in the final to give them multiple fighting chances.
But not even Mbappe at his best – which he was on Sunday night – could overcome the narrative of Messi’s final World Cup moment.
Mbappe scored a treble in the World Cup final – the first player to do so since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966
Mbappe’s sole role in helping France may be harsh on substitute Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to – like France’s No 10 – win a spot kick and score another in the shootout. But the 24-year-old was presented with a golden one-on-one chance to win the game in extra-time, only to see it saved. If that chance fell to Mbappe…
The World Cup final hat-trick from France’s No 10 to twice haul France back from behind, like every Mbappe moment in Qatar, has almost made a mockery of the tournament that so many, even the great Messi, have struggled to master.
