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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames at Lusail Stadium

Argentina 3-3 France (aet, 4-2 on pens): World Cup final player ratings

Emiliano Martínez was Argentina’s hero in the final shootout
Emiliano Martínez was Argentina’s hero in the final shootout. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Argentina (4-3-3)

Emiliano Martínez (GK) Huge late saves at end of normal and extra time, then the biggest from Coman. Booked. 9

Nahuel Molina (RB) Largely kept a lid on Mbappé, with help from De Paul, but was tested during France’s comeback. 7

Cristian Romero (CB) Rugged display and dominated a forlorn Giroud. A few hairy moments as France roared back. 7

Nicolás Otamendi (CB) Like his team, he had looked comfortable until Kolo Muani sorely exposed him in a one-on-one. 6

Nicolás Tagliafico (LB) Crucial part of a once formidable left-sided unit that fell apart after Di María’s departure. 7

Rodrigo De Paul (CM) Usual tireless, marauding performance. Helped smother Mbappé in first half and roamed upfield until running out of gas. 8

Enzo Fernández (CM) Largely irresistible, with hard running and astute switches of play, and stayed afloat as Argentina listed. Booked. 8

Alexis Mac Allister (CM) Outstanding assist for Di María’s goal. Messi-like run later on and can be proud of his tournament. 8

Ángel Di María kissing the trophy
Ángel Di María was sublime for Argentina before being substituted. Photograph: Friedemann Vogel/EPA

Lionel Messi (RW) Crowning display of a life’s work brought all the hits, via a rollercoaster ride between triumph and disaster. 9

Julián Álvarez (CF) Dynamic movement stretched France; policed Tchouaméni like a veteran out of possession. Second-half strike saved by Lloris. 8

Angel Di María (LW) Selection was Scaloni’s big call and he delivered by winning penalty, finishing the sublime second and running riot for an hour. 9

Substitutes: Acuña (for Di María 64) Never got going and given tough time by French attack – booked, 5; Montiel (for Molina 90) Conceded crushing late penalty but atoned with deciding kick – booked, 6; Paredes (for De Paul 102) Brought on to settle midfield; also helped to settle the shootout – booked, 6; Lautaro Martínez (for Álvarez 103) Crucial hand in third goal after two openings came and went, 6; Pezzella (for Mac Allister 116) Could not shore things up, 6; Dybala (for Tagliafico 120) Tucked his penalty away, 7.

France (4-3-3)

Hugo Lloris (GK) Big save from Messi in normal time but had no influence when it counted in shootout. 6

Jules Koundé (RB) Stuck to his task but was roasted by Argentina’s rampant left side for an hour, albeit with scant protection. 6

Raphaël Varane (CB) Pulled around by a free-flowing attack but any solidity in France’s back line stemmed from him. 6

Dayot Upamecano (CB) Extra-time challenge on Lautaro Martínez was celebrated like a goal but could not redeem a troubled night. 5

Theo Hernández (LB) Sloppy early passes set an unwelcome tone. Tried to help going forwards but little went right. 5

Antoine Griezmann (CM) Key man could not construct anything this time, was given little time on ball and was substituted. 6

Aurélien Tchouaméni (CM) Less effective than previously, ponderous at times and diligently tracked by Álvarez. Horribly wide from spot. 5

Adrien Rabiot (CM) Eventually got a grip after coming off second-best for majority. Had late chance to avoid extra time. Booked. 6

Ousmane Dembélé brings down Ángel Di María in the box
Ousmane Dembélé brings down Ángel Di María in the box. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Ousmane Dembélé (RW) Conceded disastrous penalty, offered nothing on the ball and could not complain about his first-half removal. 4

Olivier Giroud (CF) Seethed after humiliating early substitution but in truth the game had completely passed him by. Booked. 5

Kylian Mbappé (LW) Out of the game until turning it on its head and becoming first final hat-trick scorer since Geoff Hurst. 9

Substitutes: Kolo Muani (for Dembélé 41) Looked bright immediately and duly won penalty, 7; Thuram (for Giroud 41) Assist for Mbappé’s remarkable leveller. Booked for diving, 7; Coman (for Griezmann 71) Running made a difference but missed from spot, 6; Camavinga (for Hernández 71) Got better of Messi in one extra-time tussle, 6; Fofana (for Rabiot 96) Arrived as Argentina began to regain grip, 6; Konaté (for Varane 113) No significant impact, 6; Disasi (for Kounde 120) Barely time for a kick, 6.

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