Lionel Messi broke two World Cup records inside the same minute of Sunday's final against France.
The Argentina captain opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the final when he stroked home from the spot after Ousmane Dembele had fouled Angel Di Maria in the area.
The goal was Messi's sixth of the tournament, and ensured that he became the first player in World Cup history to score in each knockout round of the tournament - the last-16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
After notching against both Saudi Arabia and Mexico in the group stages, Messi struck against Australia in the last-16 before scoring from the spot in the quarters against the Netherlands, the semis against Croatia and the final against the French.
Remarkably, Messi also broke another World Cup record in the same minute of the match.
Having become the player with the most appearances at World Cups when the match - his 26th at a finals - kicked off at the Lusail Stadium, he then became the player to have played most minutes at a World Cup, 2,216, in the 23rd minute of the match, when he overtook Italy legend Paolo Maldini's record.
Fittingly, he marked the occasion with a goal when he coolly beat Hugo Lloris from the spot.
Argentina would soon race into a two-goal lead when Messi found Alexis Mac Allister, who crossed for Di Maria to finish.
Messi arrived into the final with pressure on his shoulders to deliver for his country, having picked up the Copa America in 2021.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said his side were underdogs, but was confident they could deliver.
"Obviously when we won in Brazil (in the Copa America) the favourite was considered to be Brazil and it happens the same right now," he said.
"People can say that the favourites are France, but we have the great advantage to have the greatest player of all time.
"We always like to hear that the opponent is the favourite because we don't feel either superior or inferior to anyone. But, as I always say, we have the greatest player of all time. And with a good defence, we have many chances to reach our goal."
On Messi, he added: "I see him very happy.
"He feels very well on the pitch. I saw a great Messi in Copa America. He was an exceptional player, one of the best undoubtedly in Copa America - and in this World Cup he took a step forward compared to Copa America.
"He's playing very well, and this gives so much energy to the whole squad because we have the greatest player. He's excited, he is full of joy and this helps us very much."
