• PRINT EDITIONS
  • | CONTACT
  • | TEL: 304.645.1206 | E: hello@wvdn.com
Friday, June 20, 2025
West Virginia Daily News
  • Home
  • News
  • Community
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Government
    • All
    • City
    • County
    • State
    Governor Patrick Morrisey speaks during his press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 29 after meeting with House and Senate leaders.

    Morrisey Sees Unique Opportunity to Grow West Virginia Economically

    Shelley Moore Capito

    Capito Votes to Confirm Sean Duffy for Transportation Secretary

    Capito, Whitehouse Announce EPW Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress

    Senate President Randy Smith Names Leadership Team, Major Committee Chairmen for 87th Legislature

    Speaker Hanshaw Announces Plans for Upcoming 87th Legislature

    Miller’s Statement on Being Sworn in to her Fourth Term in Congress

    Trending Tags

    • Greenbrier County
    • Politics
    • Senate
    • Monroe County
    • White Sulphur Springs
    • Rainelle
    • Lewisburg
    • Alderson
    • City
    • County
    • State
  • Entertainment
  • PUBLIC NOTICES
    • PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES
    • PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • STATEWIDE LEGALS SEARCH
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Community
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Government
    • All
    • City
    • County
    • State
    Governor Patrick Morrisey speaks during his press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 29 after meeting with House and Senate leaders.

    Morrisey Sees Unique Opportunity to Grow West Virginia Economically

    Shelley Moore Capito

    Capito Votes to Confirm Sean Duffy for Transportation Secretary

    Capito, Whitehouse Announce EPW Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress

    Senate President Randy Smith Names Leadership Team, Major Committee Chairmen for 87th Legislature

    Speaker Hanshaw Announces Plans for Upcoming 87th Legislature

    Miller’s Statement on Being Sworn in to her Fourth Term in Congress

    Trending Tags

    • Greenbrier County
    • Politics
    • Senate
    • Monroe County
    • White Sulphur Springs
    • Rainelle
    • Lewisburg
    • Alderson
    • City
    • County
    • State
  • Entertainment
  • PUBLIC NOTICES
    • PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES
    • PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • STATEWIDE LEGALS SEARCH
No Result
View All Result
West Virginia Daily News
No Result
View All Result
West Virginia State Capitol on the Kanawha River in Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

Culture Center to Host Free West Virginia Day Celebration

June 19, 2025

Governor Patrick Morrisey Issues Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth

June 19, 2025
Steel Pterodactyl

Carnegie Hall’s Ivy Terrace Outdoor Concert Series Continues with Steel Pterodactyl

June 19, 2025

Damaging Boxwood Pest Confirmed in West Virginia

June 19, 2025
Shown are Lewisburg residents Dr. and Mrs. John Wilson who had the honor of hooding daughter Abigail Wilson, DO, at WVSOM’s graduation ceremony

Echoes the Past: WVSOM Graduate 57 At 23rd Annual Commencement

June 19, 2025

Tags

Art BU Business Carnegie Hall Charleston college Community County Court Dear Abby Dr EPA Fair Family Featured Gov Grant Greenbrier Greenbrier County Greenbrier East health Home Justice Land Last Lewisburg Local Man New NY Obituary Plan Project Ronceverte School Son State The Greenbrier University US VA Virginia West Virginia White Sulphur Springs WV
QR Code

Messi finally wins World Cup; what’s next for Argentina?

by JAMES ROBSON
in Sports
December 19, 2022
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Messi finally wins World Cup; what’s next for Argentina?

Argentina's players celebrate their victory at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

9
SHARES
64
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi ended his long wait for the World Cup title in one of the most memorable finals in history.

Messi was at his most inspirational, scoring two goals to take his total for the tournament to seven and delivering his country’s third World Cup triumph as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw through extra time.

But Kylian Mbappe made him work hard for the trophy he has long craved by scoring a hat trick, including two goals in 97 seconds late in regulation to pull France back from 2-0 down.

The France forward evened the score again after Messi put Argentina back in front in extra time.

Ultimately, it was Messi’s World Cup to raise.

After fulfilling his life’s ambition, what’s next for him and Argentina?

EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCE

With Messi in the team, it’s always going to be among the favorites. But at the age of 35 and in the final stages of his storied career, the forward looked less equipped than in previous years to lead his country to success. And when Saudia Arabia produced one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s 92-year history by beating Argentina 2-1 in the group stage, the potential for an embarrassing early exit looked a real possibility. Messi inspired the team to recover from that setback and produced one of the all-time great tournament performances with seven goals and three assists. While Argentina’s expectations might not have been at their highest for this year’s World Cup, Messi finally realized the expectations placed on him for the majority of his career by winning the sport’s biggest prize.

WHO’S OUT?

Messi said he will stick around for a while longer, even if another World Cup might be too much to ask. Angel di Maria is 34 and earlier this year said he would retire from international soccer after the tournament in Qatar. Nicolas Otamendi is also 34 and unlikely to be involved when Argentina come around to defending its trophy in four years. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is sure to have won admirers from leading clubs after winning the World Cup at the relatively young age of 44.

WHO’S NEXT?

Despite Messi being the inspiration for Argentina, it was a squad full of young talent who have yet to reach their prime. Most notably is 22-year-old striker Julian Alvarez, who scored four goals to become the country’s latest star forward. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 21, was named the best young player of the tournament and is already being linked with moves to top clubs, despite only recently signing for Benfica. Defenders Cristian Romero and Nahuel Molina are 24 and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is 23. Scaloni has the basis of a team to build around.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Qualifying for the next World Cup is scheduled to start in March and Argentina will also defend its Copa America title in 2024.

___

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.

JAMES ROBSON

Tags: Alexis Mac AllisterArgentinaClubCompetitionDohaHistoryKYLionel MessiLionel ScaloniMidfielderNahuel MolinaQatarRegulationSaudiaTourTournamentUSVA

Related

Zion Detko was a first team all-state selection in Class AAA
Sports

Three Spartans Garner All-State Honors, Detko Lands on First Team

June 19, 2025
Central Greenbrier has won three in a row (Photo: Brandon Baker)
Sports

Make That Three in a Row: Central Greenbrier 10U Hammers Sophia

June 18, 2025
Central Greenbrier takes a team picture after their win over Beckley (Photo: CGLL/Facebook)
Sports

Central Greenbrier Gets High Scoring Victory Over Beckley

June 18, 2025
Sports

Press Release: Second Annual Greenbrier Tip-Off Matchups Announced

June 17, 2025
Load More
[adrotate group="11"]
Next Post
Messi, Mbappe give Qatar the perfect World Cup ending

Messi, Mbappe give Qatar the perfect World Cup ending

West Virginia Daily News

The West Virginia Daily News has been serving the Greenbrier Valley and southeastern West Virginia since 1852.

Learn more

Information

  • Home
  • Subscribe to the WV Daily News
  • Grants & Assistance
  • Submit News and Events
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ethics, Standards & Corrections
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 The West Virginia Daily News, powered by ECENT CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Menu Item
  • _____________
  • Home
  • Editions
  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • State News
    • Crime
    • Business and Tech
  • Community
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • High School Sports
    • College Sports
  • Government
    • City
    • County
    • State
  • Entertainment
  • Public Notices

Copyright © 2022 The West Virginia Daily News, powered by ECENT CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved.