The best World Cup Finals Ranked. Mens Edition

Fans witnessed the best of the best playing each other in a battle that lasted more than 90 minutes. Messi scored twice, breaking the World Cup record of 26 games played, and Mbappé scored only the second hat-trick in World Cup finals history.

The thrilling 2022 Argentina-France match will undoubtedly be remembered for generations. However, there are some other games that deserve special mention. Here are the top five World Cup finals of all time.

5. 1970: Brazil 4, Italy 1 in Mexico

Although this was the only match that did not have a close score, it contained so much history that it has to be considered an all-time great. To wit:

This was the first time two former World Cup champions met in a World Cup final.

It was the final match of Pelé's World Cup career, and he remains the only player to have won three World Cups to this day.

Mario Zagallo of Brazil became the first person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager.

Overall, this was a historic event that established Brazil as the most successful national team, with three titles to its credit, a distinction it still holds.

4. 1998: France 3, Brazil 0 in France

One of the greatest finals in historic, France At The Top Led By The Young Zidane.More nations were allowed to compete in the 1998 World Cup in France. Instead of 24 teams, 32 would compete in the FIFA World Cup finals.

As a result, South Africa, Japan, and Jamaica qualified for the first time in history.Brazil and France met in a Final for the first time. This was France's first World Cup Final appearance; for Brazil, it was their sixth.

Brazil was considered one of the favorites due to the presence of star players such as Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, and Denilson, among others.

Except for the group match against Norway, every match was won. They won a penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the Semi-Finals.

France became a fan favorite after demonstrating that they are a serious contender for the FIFA World Cup trophy.

3- Argentina v Holland 1978 in Buenos Aires

Argentina won the 1978 World Cup final 3-1 in Buenos Aires, making Holland bridesmaids for the second time in four years.

The host nation's hero was Mario Kempes, who scored twice as Argentina won in extra time.

Argentina took the lead through Kempes before a late equalizer from Dick Nanninga.

In the extra 30 minutes, Kempes put Argentina back in front before Daniel Bertoni put the game out of reach.

Holland was heartbroken again after losing the 1974 World Cup final 2-1 to West Germany.

Johan Cruyff, the 1974 tournament winner, retired from international football in October 1977, but he left a Dutch team that included Ruud Krol and Johan Neeskens.

2- Argentina v Germany 1986 in Mexico

Argentina wins its second World Cup under Maradona's leadership in 1986.

Another football legend rose to prominence during the 1986 World Cup. Until that year, Diego Armando Maradona was just an excellent Argentine midfielder with rare skill, a history of indiscipline, and a divisive personality.

Dieguito, however, became a legend in Mexico after June 1986. For everyone, he is a genius with his left leg; for many, he is comparable to Pele; and for the Argentinians, he is a demigod.

1- Argentina v France Qatar 2022

This was the greatest performance of all time. The greatest World Cup final of all time, featuring the greatest player of all time and the player who may one day challenge him for the title. The GOAT debate has concluded.

Lionel Messi's place in the pantheon was already secure, but he has finally crowned it by finally winning the World Cup in what was his fifth and final attempt. Messi scored twice; Mbappe scored a hat-trick - the first in a World Cup ginal since Sir Geoff Hurst for England in 1966 and only the second ever - but it was not enough as France failed to retain the trophy Mbappe had helped them win four years ago, losing 4 with Gonzalo Montiel striking the decisive kick. There was gamesmanship from Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who was the souped-up hero again as he made an incredible save deep into injury-time and then repelled Kingsley Coman in the shoot-out. With the next French kick, he tossed the ball away from Aurelien Tchouameni who was so unnerved he sent his effort wide. It means France have now lost two World Cup finals in penalty shoot-outs, after being defeated by Italy in 2006.

But it was as one-sided as it could be for nearly 80 minutes. Argentina was haughty, and France appeared almost drowsy from the virus that had swept through their camp. Mbappe didn't get a kick, then exploded into life with two goals in 97 seconds to tie France and force the extra 30 minutes.

Messi was already arguably above Pele and ahead of Diego Maradona in the football greats hall of fame, but that claim was always called into question by the fact that, despite four previous World Cups, he had yet to leave as a champion, unlike those two other football gods.

No longer. Argentina, coached by former West Ham defender Lionel Scaloni, who has built a team to service Messi, were crowned world champions for the third time and the first time since Maradona led them in 1986.

While the spotlight will understandably be on Messi, who was mesmerizing, another celebrated veteran, Angel Di Maria, was recalled and won the penalty and scored to cap off a fantastic counter-attack. France was tormented by him. After his goal, the 34-year-old shed tears, and Argentina struggled when he left the field.