December 18, 2022 - World Cup FinalFrance vs Argentina - Lusail Stadium
The biggest match in football. The World Cup final.
France seeking back-to-back titles—only Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) had achieved it.
Argentina seeking glory for Lionel Messi—his final World Cup, his last chance at the trophy that eluded him.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium held eighty-eight thousand fans. The world watched.
Pre-Match
In the changing room, Deschamps addressed his team.
"Gentlemen, this is it. Ninety minutes from immortality. From becoming the first team in sixty years to win back-to-back World Cups."
He looked at his stars. "Kylian. Ethan. You've been magnificent. Four years ago, you were teenagers. Now you're men. Now you're legends. One more performance. That's all we need."
Ethan stood up. As one of the leaders, he addressed the team.
"We've come too far to lose now. Argentina want this for Messi. The whole world wants them to win. But we want it more. We've fought together. Bled together. Today, we make history together."
The team roared their approval.
The Match - First Half
Argentina started perfectly. Pressed high. Won the ball in dangerous areas.
In the twenty-third minute, they took the lead. Di María won a penalty. Messi converted.
1-0 Argentina.
In the thirty-sixth minute, Argentina doubled their lead. A brilliant team goal. Di María finished.
2-0 Argentina.
France were in shock. Dominated. Outplayed. The dream of back-to-back titles was dying.
At halftime, the changing room was tense. Some players looked defeated.
Deschamps made tactical changes. Brought on Thuram. Changed formation.
But it was Ethan who changed the mentality.
"Look at me," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "We've won two Champions Leagues. We've won a World Cup. We're not losing this. Forty-five minutes. We score early. We break their confidence. We complete the comeback."
"Impossible," someone muttered.
"NO!" Ethan shouted. "Nothing is impossible if we believe. Now get up. Let's make history."
The Match - Second Half
France attacked from the first whistle. Wave after wave of blue shirts.
In the seventy-ninth minute, Mbappé pulled one back. A penalty, won by Coman.
2-1.
Suddenly, France believed. Argentina looked nervous.
In the eighty-first minute, Mbappé equalized. A brilliant volley from Thuram's cross.
2-2.
Lusail Stadium erupted. France had completed the comeback in two minutes.
The match went to extra time.
Extra Time
Both teams exhausted. Legs heavy. Minds foggy.
In the one hundred and eighth minute, Argentina retook the lead. Messi scrambled home from close range.
3-2 Argentina.
France were running out of time. Ten minutes left in their World Cup defense.
Deschamps looked at his bench. No more substitutions available. His players would have to find something from within.
In the one hundred and sixteenth minute, with two minutes remaining, France got a lifeline.
A handball in the box. Penalty.
Mbappé stepped up. Needed to score. Shot low. Scored.
3-3.
Hat-trick for Mbappé. Incredible.
But there was no time for more. Final whistle after extra time.
Penalties. Again.
Penalties - Destiny
France's penalty takers: Mbappé, Ethan, Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Konaté.
Argentina's takers: Messi, Dybala, Paredes, Montiel, Acuña.
Round 1:
Mbappé: Scored (left side) Messi: Scored (right side)
Round 2:
Ethan stepped up.
The weight of the moment was crushing. The World Cup final. Tied 3-3. Defending champions on the brink.
He placed the ball on the spot. Looked at Emiliano Martínez, Argentina's goalkeeper—famous for his penalty-saving antics.
Martínez danced on his line. Tried to distract him. Shouted.
But Ethan was calm. Three moves ahead, he'd already decided.
He ran up. Struck it. Bottom right corner. Perfect placement.
Martínez dove. Couldn't reach it.
France 2-0 Argentina in penalties.
Dybala: Scored (2-1)
Round 3:
Griezmann: Scored (3-1) Paredes: Scored (3-2)
Round 4:
Tchouaméni: Missed! (hit post) Montiel: Scored (3-3)
Round 5:
Konaté had to score.
He placed it low. Martínez saved.
Argentina win 4-2 on penalties.
Argentina - World Champions 2022
Heartbreak
The French players collapsed in devastation. Ethan fell to his knees, hands covering his face.
They'd been two minutes from victory. Two minutes from back-to-back World Cups. And it ended on penalties.
Mbappé sat on the grass, staring blankly. He'd scored a hat-trick in the final—only the second player ever to do so—and still lost.
Ethan crawled over to him. Hugged him. Both crying.
"We gave everything," Ethan said, voice breaking.
"It wasn't enough," Mbappé replied.
Messi, the victor, approached them. He helped them up. Embraced them both.
"You're both incredible," Messi said. "You'll win more World Cups. I know it."
But in that moment, it didn't matter. The pain was too fresh.
Awards
Despite the defeat, both French stars won individual awards:
Kylian Mbappé: Golden Boot (8 goals, including hat-trick in final)
Ethan Loki: Silver Ball (Second-best player of tournament, 6 goals)
At the ceremony, holding his award, Ethan felt hollow. Individual accolades meant nothing without the trophy.
End of Chapter 39