Lionel Messi scored twice in the FIFA World Cup final.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Argentina for winning the FIFA World Cup. He said that the France versus Argentina World Cup final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling football matches. Argentina today defeated France 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the World Cup for the third time.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored twice and France striker Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as a thrilling World Cup final finished 3-3 after extra time at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
The Indian Prime Minister also praised France for a spirited performance. He said that the team delighted football fans with their skill and sportsmanship.
This was Messi's fifth, and his final, chance to lift the World Cup, a trophy that has eluded him throughout his career. Several fans across India burst firecrackers, blew horns and screamed in joy as Argentina won the marquee tournament.
The win allows Messi, at 35, to complete his glorious career by emulating Diego Maradona, and this will be remembered as his tournament despite the best efforts of Mbappe, who finished as the tournament's top scorer on eight goals.
"Vamos," fans, donning the Argentina jersey, were seen shouting as they jumped up and down in parts of Kerala and danced around with each other unable to contain their joy. Be it the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram or the port city of Kochi or Malappuram in the north of Kerala, similar celebrations by fans of the South American team and Lionel Messi could be seen.