French president Emmanuel Macron attempted to console Kylian Mbappe after France 's dramatic World Cup final loss to Argentina.
Through Mbappe's hat-trick, Les Blues fought back twice and managed a 3-3 draw after extra-time. But there was no stopping Lionel Messi 's side from lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout, as Argentina 'keeper Emiliano Martinez superbly saved two spot kicks.
Post-match, Mbappe and his teammates were devastated, prompting Marcon to console him. The French president has a good relationship with the 23-year-old superstar, who plays for France's biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain. Macron could be seen putting his arm around a crestfallen Mbappe on the pitch, no-doubt giving him words of encouragement.
But the PSG forward could only stare at Argentina's jubilant celebrations, wondering what could've been. Already a World Cup winner after firing France to victory in 2018, Mbappe led the comeback four years later in Qatar when he tucked away a penalty in the 80th minute, bringing the scores to 2-1.
90 seconds later, the eventual Golden Boot winner emphatically equalised, slamming home to take the thrilling game to extra-time. Messi soon scored his second goal of the game and it looked as if Argentina had finally done enough, but France were given another opportunity when Polish referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot for the second time.
Up stepped Mbappe and it was the same outcome, although this time the score was 3-3 with penalties looming. Argentina scored all four of their spot kicks, while France's Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni saw their efforts saved by a defiant Martinez.
Have your say! Was Mbappe the MOTM in the World Cup final? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
Still, Mbappe can hold his head high after scoring eight goals at the tournament, as he walked away with the Golden Boot. He also became the first man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Sir Geoff Hurst did so in 1966 as England triumphed at Wembley, and the Three Lions legend has already sent him a message of congratulations.
"Many congratulations to Mbappe," Hurst wrote on Twitter during the game. "Whatever happens, I've had a great run!" Rio Ferdinand led the praise from pundits on Mbappe's performance, declaring to the BBC : "He hadn't had a touch all game. Then two moments. He had the composure to dispatch the penalty.
Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta even heaped praise on the Frenchman's magic, saying: "In Mbappe they have one of the greatest players in the world. Two goals in three minutes, but that is why we love football. I cannot believe it, but what a game."
Mbappe will now return to PSG to play alongside Messi, and it's safe to say that the pair will have conflicting emotions.
