• 1986: Argentina 3 (Brown 23', Valdano 56' Burruchaga 84') West Germany 2 (Rummenigge 74', Voller 81'): Diego Maradona officially ruled the world when he captained Argentina to a second title. It was the little genius's through ball that set-up Jorge Burruchaga's winner after West Germany had pulled the score back to 2-2 in Mexico. AP
    1986: Argentina 3 (Brown 23', Valdano 56' Burruchaga 84') West Germany 2 (Rummenigge 74', Voller 81'): Diego Maradona officially ruled the world when he captained Argentina to a second title. It was the little genius's through ball that set-up Jorge Burruchaga's winner after West Germany had pulled the score back to 2-2 in Mexico. AP
  • 1990: West Germany 1 (Brehme pen 85') Argentina 0: A desperately disappointing final in Italy that was decided by a late Andreas Brehme penalty that earned the Germans victory, denying Diego Maradona and Argentina a second successive title. The South Americans also had two players sent-off - the first ever in a World Cup final. Getty
    1990: West Germany 1 (Brehme pen 85') Argentina 0: A desperately disappointing final in Italy that was decided by a late Andreas Brehme penalty that earned the Germans victory, denying Diego Maradona and Argentina a second successive title. The South Americans also had two players sent-off - the first ever in a World Cup final. Getty
  • 1994: Brazil 0 Italy 0 (Brazil win 3-2 on penalties): Stalemate after 120 minutes in the US, Brazil came out on top in the first World Cup final shoot-out with 'The Divine Ponytail' Roberto Baggio sending his deciding penalty high over the bar to hand the South Americans their fourth title. AFP
    1994: Brazil 0 Italy 0 (Brazil win 3-2 on penalties): Stalemate after 120 minutes in the US, Brazil came out on top in the first World Cup final shoot-out with 'The Divine Ponytail' Roberto Baggio sending his deciding penalty high over the bar to hand the South Americans their fourth title. AFP
  • 1998: Brazil 0 France 3 (Zidane 27', 45+1', Petit 90+3'): France powered to their first title thanks to the brilliance of two-goal hero Zinedine Zidane in front of a delighted home crowd in Paris. It will also be remembered for Brazil star Ronaldo being left out and then restored to the starting line-up just before kick-off after the attacker had suffered a fit in the build-up. PA
    1998: Brazil 0 France 3 (Zidane 27', 45+1', Petit 90+3'): France powered to their first title thanks to the brilliance of two-goal hero Zinedine Zidane in front of a delighted home crowd in Paris. It will also be remembered for Brazil star Ronaldo being left out and then restored to the starting line-up just before kick-off after the attacker had suffered a fit in the build-up. PA
  • 2002: Germany 0 Brazil 2 (Ronaldo 67', 79'): Redemption for Ronaldo after the drama and disappointment of four years previously as the striker scored both goals and earned the man of the match award in Japan. It was Brazil's fifth title. Getty
    2002: Germany 0 Brazil 2 (Ronaldo 67', 79'): Redemption for Ronaldo after the drama and disappointment of four years previously as the striker scored both goals and earned the man of the match award in Japan. It was Brazil's fifth title. Getty
  • 2006: Italy 1 (Materazzi 19') France 1 (Zidane pen 7') Italy win 5-3 on penalties: A match that will forever be remembered for Zinedine Zidane's brutal head-butt to the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi in extra-time that saw the French star sent-off. France attacker David Trezeguet was the only player to miss from the spot in Germany. AFP
    2006: Italy 1 (Materazzi 19') France 1 (Zidane pen 7') Italy win 5-3 on penalties: A match that will forever be remembered for Zinedine Zidane's brutal head-butt to the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi in extra-time that saw the French star sent-off. France attacker David Trezeguet was the only player to miss from the spot in Germany. AFP
  • 2010: Netherlands 0 Spain 1, after extra time (Iniesta 116'): European champions Spain seal their first world crown thanks to Andres Iniesta's extra-time finish. The match in South Africa saw a record 14 yellow cards handed out - more doubling the previous best set by West Germany and Argentina in 1986. Getty
    2010: Netherlands 0 Spain 1, after extra time (Iniesta 116'): European champions Spain seal their first world crown thanks to Andres Iniesta's extra-time finish. The match in South Africa saw a record 14 yellow cards handed out - more doubling the previous best set by West Germany and Argentina in 1986. Getty
  • 2014: Germany 1 (Gotze 114') Argentina 0, AET: Mario Gotze's extra-time finish in Brazil made it World Cup number four for Germany to deny Lionel Messi a first title with a penalty shoot-out just seven minutes away. Joachim Low's side became the first European team to win the trophy in South America.
    2014: Germany 1 (Gotze 114') Argentina 0, AET: Mario Gotze's extra-time finish in Brazil made it World Cup number four for Germany to deny Lionel Messi a first title with a penalty shoot-out just seven minutes away. Joachim Low's side became the first European team to win the trophy in South America.
  • 2018: France 4 (Mandzukic og 18', Griezmann pen 38', Pogba 59', Mbappe 65') Croatia 2 (Perisic 28', Mandzukic 69'): Kylian Mbappe becomes only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, after Pele for Brazil in 1958. France's triumph in Russia was their second title after lifting the trophy for the first time in 1998. Reuters
    2018: France 4 (Mandzukic og 18', Griezmann pen 38', Pogba 59', Mbappe 65') Croatia 2 (Perisic 28', Mandzukic 69'): Kylian Mbappe becomes only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, after Pele for Brazil in 1958. France's triumph in Russia was their second title after lifting the trophy for the first time in 1998. Reuters
  • 2022: Argentina 3 (Messi pen 23', 108', Di Maria 36') France 3 (Mbappe pen 80', 81', pen 118'. Argentina win 4-2 on penalties): A breathtaking rollercoaster of a game that ended with the great Lionel Messi finally winning his first World Cup. France fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 to force a shoot-out but were unable to secure a second successive title, despite Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick. AP
    2022: Argentina 3 (Messi pen 23', 108', Di Maria 36') France 3 (Mbappe pen 80', 81', pen 118'. Argentina win 4-2 on penalties): A breathtaking rollercoaster of a game that ended with the great Lionel Messi finally winning his first World Cup. France fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 to force a shoot-out but were unable to secure a second successive title, despite Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick. AP

Maradona, Mbappe and Messi: The last 10 World Cup finals - in pictures


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So the first World Cup held in the Middle East is over but there is no doubt it ended on an incredible high in Qatar.

Lionel Messi and Argentina ended the tournament as world champions for a third time following a staggering final on Sunday that saw the South Americans come out on top after a penalty shoot-out.

First-half goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria had put Argentina firmly in control at the Lusail Stadium and there looked only one winner up until the 79th minute. That was when Nicolas Otamendi brought down substitute Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot.

Then, 97 seconds later, it was all square. Messi lost possession, giving France the chance to launch a devastating counter-attack that ended with Mbappe volleying home, forcing the game into extra-time.

In the 108th minute, Messi put Argentina back in front and, again, the story ending seemed written, only for Gonzalo Montiel to block a Mbappe shot with his arm and the same player made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat-trick. The Paris Saint-Germain striker became only the second player in World Cup final history – after Geoff Hurst for England in 1966 – to achieve the feat.

The shoot-out duly arrived with Mbappe and Messi both making no mistake with their attempts but the same could not be said for Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni who both missed as Argentina secured a 4-2 win on penalties.

In the gallery above, you can see who came out on top in the previous 10 World Cup finals. To view the next image, just swipe.

Updated: December 19, 2022, 11:50 AM