The best World Cup final of all time is the Argentina–France duel in the 2022 World Cup. In fact, some might say it's more than the greatest World Cup final ever: It might be the best final in the history of team sports. With 1.5 billion viewers worldwide, it was one of the most-watched sporting events of all time and the fifth most-watched soccer match in U.S. TV history. In other words, no less than one eighth of the world's entire population sat down to watch the 2022 World Cup final.
This exhilarating match had an ideal combination any soccer fan could ask for: The world's best player of the 21st century and the up-and-coming star and heir going head-to-head against him. In between the thriller and the drama, this final is easily one of the most engaging examples of entertainment of the last 50 years. If you’re wondering why this game stands out above the rest, here’s why:
The match before the match: Messi vs. Mbappé
When Argentina and France met on December 18, 2022, in Qatar, it surpassed two teams facing off. In a sense, it was a world-class collision between two soccer generations and two superstars. Lionel Messi, often hailed as the greatest player of the 21st century, was chasing the one prize that had eluded him — World Cup glory. On the other side was Kylian Mbappé, the young French star already making waves on the world stage, ready to defend the title France won in 2018. It was a duel between the veteran and the heir apparent, and this added to the anticipation even before the first whistle blew.
Source: npr
Until that day, Messi had done it all in his career: multiple Ballon d'Ors, Champions League titles, and individual records that might never be accomplished again. But the World Cup was the one victory that kept slipping away. Mbappé, on the other hand, had already claimed the title at just 19 during the last tournament in Russia and seemed destined to take over the throne. So when the two faced off in the final, it seemed much more than a game: It was a “passing of the torch”, or at least, that was the narrative going in.
A rollercoaster of a match
From the start, this final felt different. Argentina took charge early, with Messi coolly slotting in a penalty to open the scoring in the 23rd minute. Just a few minutes later, Ángel Di María added another with a clinical strike, and suddenly, Argentina seemed to have a firm grip on the match. For over an hour, they clung to that edge and looked set to take the win.
But in classic World Cup fashion, the momentum shifted. In the 80th minute, Mbappé pulled one back for France with a penalty, and within 97 seconds, he stunned everyone again with a volley to even the score. In an instant, Argentina's solid lead had evaporated, and the game was wide open. It seemed like extra time was a done deal.
Source: YouTube
Then came Messi’s second goal in the 108th minute, and it looked like Argentina was on the verge of victory once more. But just as Argentina fans started to exhale, Mbappé completed his hat trick with another penalty, which brought the score to 3–3. It was the first hat trick in a World Cup final since 1966, and it felt like, no matter what Messi did, Mbappé was there to match him.
The game went to penalties, where Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez came up as the big Argentine hero: he saved the second penalty from France and helped his team clinch victory. For Messi, it was the perfect capstone to a legendary career. For Mbappé, it was a reminder that his moment would surely come again.
Source: Getty Images
The champion against the entrant
Before the final, France and Argentina were arguably the two best-performing national teams of the last four years. Each had built up that reputation either by overcoming defeats or by holding onto titles.
Argentina had faced tough losses in past finals, the most notable being the 2014 World Cup final, when Germany took the title after 112 long minutes of draw. Since that point, they had won a Copa América and Finalissima against Italy.
France were the defending champions. They certainly took it to heart. Their resilience to come back from 2-0 and then 3-2 down was a proving ground to their character. Beyond standout players like Mbappé (who took all the credit at times), the whole team stepped up when it mattered.
The best World Cup finals of all time: Honorable mentions
While the 2022 final is a crowning achievement, a few other matches deserve a nod too. Here are some honorable mentions that have made their mark in soccer history:
1950: 🇧🇷 Brazil 1–2 Uruguay 🇺🇾
The 1950 World Cup delivered the infamous “Maracanazo blow.” Brazil, confident of clinching their first title at home, needed just a draw against Uruguay in the last match (the tournament’s fixture was different from today’s). Celebrations were already underway, but Alcides Ghiggia’s late goal shattered the hopes of 220,000 stunned fans. The defeat hit the national psyche hard; Nelson Rodrigues even compared it to a “Hiroshima” for Brazil. Some players never recovered, with a few never playing for the Seleçao again. The pain ran so deep, Brazil even changed their iconic kit afterward.
1970: 🇧🇷 Brazil 4–1 Italy 🇮🇹
This final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City remains a masterpiece of “the beautiful game.” Brazil's side, packed with attacking stars, took on an Italian team still worn out from a tough semi-final win over West Germany — known as the “Game of the Century”. Pele’s powerful header opened the scoring just 18 minutes in, and proved to Italy's Burgnich that he was much more than “skin and bone.” Gerson’s long-range strike, Jairzinho’s scramble, and Carlos Alberto’s famous finish sealed this memorable victory and set a standard for soccer that still stands today.
Source: FIFA
1986: 🇦🇷 Argentina 3–2 Germany 🇩🇪
This final marked the first climax of a classic rivalry: “ein Klassiker” or “un Clásico,” depending on which side you’re on. In the heat of Mexico City, Maradona (who emblazoned the tournament with the “Hand of God”) led Argentina to glory, with an assist for the winning goal in the closing minutes after Germany had staged a fierce comeback. The match featured intense moments, including a record six yellow cards and a beautiful header from Jorge Luis “Tata” Brown, which led to a tense wrap-up and secured Argentina’s second title.
1999: Women’s World Cup — 🇺🇸 USA 0–0 China 🇨🇳 (USA wins 5–4 on penalties)
This Women’s World Cup Final between the USA and China changed the game for women’s soccer. Over 90,000 fans packed the stadium as the match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, where the USA scored all five kicks to win. Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration was seen all over the world and became a defining moment for the United States Women’s National Team and a tribute to the legacy of the “99ers.”
Source: CNN Sports
2002: 🇧🇷 Brazil 2–0 Germany 🇩🇪
The 2002 World Cup Final is memorable for Ronaldo's redemption. Four years before, he had a rough time in the final against France, where he struggled to perform. This time, he scored both goals in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Germany and led the team to its fifth title. Brazil was not expected to do well in this tournament, which made their victory even more special.
Why the 2022 Argentina-France final stands above the rest
To call the 2022 Argentina-France final the best of all time is to recognize the incredible mix of skill, drama, and context. It, of course, featured two teams playing a great game. But other ingredients coming into play were the long-term impact, the stakes, and the way the match unfolded. There have been other legendary finals, but none combined the elements of a thrilling storyline, individual brilliance, and emotional weight quite like this one.
The fact that it featured arguably the greatest player ever in Messi, who finally secured the sport's ultimate prize, while being pushed to the limit by Mbappé's hat trick, only adds to its legend. It was a story with a perfect climax, all unraveling during the world’s most popular sporting event.
A Join The Planet keepsake to celebrate the best World Cup final of all time
For those who want to carry a piece of this historic final with them, the limited-edition Messi collectible boot from Join the Planet is a fitting keepsake. Crafted from recycled ocean plastic, this collectible is a piece of memorabilia, a symbol of sustainability and a celebration of Messi’s legacy altogether. Modeled after Messi’s iconic left boot, this collectible tributes the achievement while supporting an environmental cause.
Each boot is unique, just like that enchanting night in Qatar. Whether you're an avid collector or just want to hold on to a memory of soccer's greatest moment, the Messi collectible boot captures what the 2022 World Cup final was all about: History, passion, and the spirit of the beautiful game.
Celebrate the epic showdown of Argentina and France — get your exclusive Join The Planet collectible boot before they disappear!