World Cup Final Player Ratings: Messi Wins It For Argentina Despite France’s Mbappe Magic

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martinez – 8

Last gasp save from Kolo Muani took the game to penalties and from there he was in his element.

Nahuel Molina – 6

Kept Mbappe under wraps for 70 minutes – after that there are not many who could live with him.

Cristian Romero – 6

Strong in the middle for Argentina, he held the line together and was a steadying influence as Mbappe ran riot.

Nicolas Otamendi – 5

Clumsy late penalty cost a straightforward win – the needless arm grapple gave Kolo Muani reason to tumble.

Nicolas Tagliafico – 6

With Di Maria providing all the early tricks in front of him his was just a supporting role, which he did with great competence.

Rodrigo De Paul – 6

Did what he always does. Took no-nonsense, broke up play and made sure Messi got enough of the ball.

Enzo Fernandez – 6

Playacting and feigning injury was unnecessary aspect of the performance and tarnished the whole Messi narrative.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

An absolute revelation this tournament, the Brighton man’s awareness for his assist in the second goal was spot on.

Lionel Messi – 9

35 years old and still tackling back! Simply inspirational as a footballer but, more importantly, as a leader.

Julian Alvarez – 6

An eager livewire again, his running along the back four created space for colleagues but no direct threat this time.

Angel Di Maria – 6

Missed out on the semis but back with a bang to win the penalty and score Argentina’s second goal.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Marcos Acuna (for Di Maria 64) 5

Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina 90)

Lautaro Martinez (for Alcarez 103)

Leandro Paredes (for De Paul 103)

German Pezzella (for Mac Allister 116)

Paulo Dybala (for Tagliafico 120)

FRANCE

Hugo Lloris – 7

Saved from Messi in injury time and extra time, but could not stop him putting in that final rebound.

Jules Kounde – 6

Too often Argentina exposed France down his flank so he was not really able to get into his stride going forward.

Raphael Varane – 6

Tried to marshall France from the back but his usual energy levels were lacking and the conviction wasn’t always there.

Dayot Upamecano – 7

One of those who was ill in the week, but his block from Martinez in extra time would have made him feel much better.

Theo Hernandez – 6

Having been one of the players of the tournament this far, he seemed off the pace – perhaps hampered by his sore knee?

Adrien Rabiot – 6

Part of a France midfield that was completely rolled over by their opposite numbers for so much of the game.

World Cup Final Player Ratings: Messi Wins It For Argentina Despite France’s Mbappe Magic

Aurelien Tchouameni – 6

Strong in the challenge as ever but for a lot of the game he lacked his team-mates picking up the second ball.

Ousmane Dembele – 5

Early miscontrol, silly arm raised in the back for the penalty then subbed before the break. Stage fright?

Antoine Griezmann – 6

The orchestrator of France’s best performances, he just was not allowed to get a toe-hold in the game.

Kylian Mbappe – 9

Squeezed his first penalty past Martinez then came alive. Second brilliantly taken, the hat-trick emphatic.

Olivier Giroud – 5

Slightly lucky at one point not to give away a penalty and so ineffective up front he did not make it to half-time.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Marcus Thuram (for Dembele 42) 7)

Randal Kolo Muani (for Giroud 42) 7

Kingsley Coman (for Griezmann 71)

Eduardo Camavinga (for Hernandez 71)

Youssouf Fofana (for Rabiot 96)

Ibrahima Konate (for Varane 113)

Axel Disasi (for Kounde 120)