It was the privilege of my life to watch the Messi magic
Evening Standard|December 19, 2022
IN the queue for the media entrance at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, a senior colleague and veteran of four previous World Cup finals had a word of advice: “They’re usually bad games.”
Dan Kilpatrick
It was the privilege of my life to watch the Messi magic

Ahem, well, not this one.

Admittedly, for 80 minutes last night’s final between Argentina and France was, if not a bad game then certainly a one-sided one and nobody could have predicted the breathless drama of the climax after Kylian Mbappé dragged the defending champions level with two goals in 97 seconds.

Whatever happened during the 90 minutes, though, this final was always destined to end with one of football’s most compelling stories: either a coronation for Lionel Messi in his final World Cup appearance or further heartbreak for the greatest player of all-time, who had already lost the 2014 final.

This story is from the December 19, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 19, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView All
TEN HAG'S FINAL CHANCE AS RATCLIFFE PREPARES FOR SUMMER OF CHANGE
Evening Standard

TEN HAG'S FINAL CHANCE AS RATCLIFFE PREPARES FOR SUMMER OF CHANGE

IF LAST season’s all-Manchester FA Cup Final felt like part of a beginning for Erik ten Hag and United, tomorrow’s re-match is surely an ending.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Glasner makes the most of Freedman's eye for talent
Evening Standard

Glasner makes the most of Freedman's eye for talent

Huge Palace boost as sporting director agrees to stay at Selhurst

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
McKenna can pick next step as rivals battle for his services
Evening Standard

McKenna can pick next step as rivals battle for his services

Chelsea, United and Brighton target boss

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Close friendship likely to be tested as Norris takes the fight to Verstappen
Evening Standard

Close friendship likely to be tested as Norris takes the fight to Verstappen

FROM title rivals to doubles partners: for a brief moment this week, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris found themselves on the same team.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Can Nadal and Murray summon up final feats on clay?
Evening Standard

Can Nadal and Murray summon up final feats on clay?

Time ticking for ex-world Nols as they head to French Open

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Hannah saddles up for a 100-mile solo RideLondon record bid
Evening Standard

Hannah saddles up for a 100-mile solo RideLondon record bid

A SPECIAL Olympics athlete is targeting a world record as she takes on a 100-mile cycle challenge through London and Essex as part of the “world’s greatest festival of cycling” this weekend.

time-read
1 min  |
May 24, 2024
Miller's fabulous heroine rides again to that relentless revving
Evening Standard

Miller's fabulous heroine rides again to that relentless revving

FOLLOWING 2015’s spectacular Fury Road, George Miller returns to the Mad Max franchise, this time telling the origin story of Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron in the previous film).

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024
This isn't just any gusset anxiety, this is M&S gusset anxiety and it's at an end.
Evening Standard

This isn't just any gusset anxiety, this is M&S gusset anxiety and it's at an end.

IN January 2008, Jeremy Paxman wrote an angry letter to then Marks & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose about the state of his pants.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
One of London's most beautiful sights is fading
Evening Standard

One of London's most beautiful sights is fading

WHAT is the one image most identified with London? If you’ve lived here long enough chances are it’s neither Big Ben nor Buckingham Palace.

time-read
1 min  |
May 24, 2024
Get ready for memories to treasure and adventures for all the family
Evening Standard

Get ready for memories to treasure and adventures for all the family

There's so much wonder in store at Disneyland Paris this summer for not only little ones but also for the young at heart

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024