After a quiet 80-minute opener by his usual high standards, Mbappe came alive to become only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and the first since England hero Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966. , rescuing France from 2.-0 down to force extra time and then ensuring the match went to penalties with his second pressurized penalty.
It also held its own in the dramatic penalty shootout, but in the end France missed out on an opportunity to emulate Pelé’s Brazil great in 1958 and 1962 by failing to retain the trophy won in Russia four years ago after failed efforts from 12 yards both by Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni. .
Mbappe was utterly heartbroken after the final whistle at the Lusail Stadium, comforted by teammates, opponents and even French President Emmanuel Macron as he tried to understand how he had come up empty-handed despite such herculean efforts, before going up to graciously collect his Golden Boot award for top scorer in 2022.
Already just four goals behind all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals Miroslav Klose with 12 in 14 games, the 23-year-old understandably did not undertake any post-match press duties after a such a painful loss on the biggest stage in sports.
Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – In Pictures
