Three Years Since Messi Lifted the World Cup in Qatar 2022
The title that defined a generation and forever changed the history of Argentine football.
December 18, 2022, is etched into football history. Three years later, Lionel Messi, now a star with Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team continue to celebrate a triumph that ended a 36-year drought and crowned an unforgettable generation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With the 2026 World Cup in North America approaching, the memories of that night in Lusail remain as vivid as ever.
A Path Filled With Obstacles From the Start
Argentina’s road to glory was anything but straightforward. The opening match against Saudi Arabia delivered a stunning blow—a 2–1 defeat that shook the squad and cast doubt over the World Cup dream. From that moment on, every match became a final.
The response came against Mexico, in a tense Group C showdown. Led by Messi, La Albiceleste secured a crucial 2–0 victory and regained control of their fate. In the group finale, a 2–0 win over Poland sealed qualification as group winners and restored belief in a team beginning to show its best version under head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Messi, Julián Álvarez, and the Coronation in Lusail
The knockout rounds brought out Argentina’s true authority. In the Round of 16, Messi and Julián Álvarez delivered in a 2–1 victory over Australia, setting the stage for one of the tournament’s most dramatic phases. The quarterfinal against the Netherlands, remembered as the “Battle of Lusail,” was an epic: a sublime Messi assist for Nahuel Molina, a goal from the captain himself, and a late Dutch comeback fueled by a brace from Wout Weghorst forced extra time and penalties. From the spot, Argentina held their nerve to advance.
The semifinal against Croatia, led by Luka Modrić, was a masterclass. Argentina cruised to a 3–0 win with Messi once again at the center—scoring and assisting—while Julián Álvarez added a spectacular brace to cement his rise as the captain’s ideal partner.
The final against France completed a once-in-a-lifetime story. Beyond the unforgettable drama, what endures three years later is the legacy: Messi lifting the one trophy that had eluded him and an Argentina side reconnecting with its winning identity.
Three years on from that coronation in Qatar, the title remains a symbol of perseverance, leadership, and football at its purest—an achievement that continues to shape the present and future of La Albiceleste.
