By Jason Burt, at the Lusail Stadium

This was the greatest of all-time. The greatest World Cup Final of all time involving the greatest player of all-time and the player who could one day rival him for that honour. The GOAT debate is at an end.

Lionel Messi’s place in the pantheon was already assured but he has, at last, crowned it by finally winning the World Cup in what was his fifth and last attempt. Kylian Mbappe is already set to follow him as the world’s best and he does not turn 24 until Tuesday.

Messi scored twice; Mbappe scored a hat-trick – the first in a World Cup Final since Sir Geoff Hurst for England in 1966 and only the second ever – but it was not enough as France failed to retain the trophy Mbappe had helped them win four years ago, losing 4-2 in an emotional, highly-charged penalty shoot-out with Gonzalo Montiel striking the decisive kick.

There was gamesmanship from Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who was the souped-up hero again as he made an incredible save deep into injury-time and then repelled Kingsley Coman in the shoot-out. With the next French kick, he tossed the ball away from Aurelien Tchouameni who was so unnerved he sent his effort wide. It means France have now lost two World Cup Finals in penalty shoot-outs, after being defeated by Italy in 2006.

Mbappe took France’s first spot-kick in the shoot-out and scored. Messi took Argentina’s first and also scored with an audacious, rolled effort. As Mbappe walked back to the half-way line he passed Messi going in the other direction, which felt symbolic.

Nobody could have done more than Kylian Mbappe - AFP via Getty Images© Provided by The Telegraph

But not before Messi, his team-mate at Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain, claimed the trophy he so obsessively craved and without which his career would have felt incomplete. The kiss as he came face-to-face with it was tellingly tender.

Messi celebrated, the tears flowing amid the smiles. Mbappe, who ended up as the top-scorer and won the Golden Boot with eight goals, to the seven scored by Messi (who wore golden boots) stood staring into the distance. He could not have done more. But then neither could have Messi.

We all talked and wrote about this being a match-up between these two phenomenal players. So often that does not happen and the hype falls flat. Not this time. This time it exceeded expectation.

What a game. What a final. What a privilege to witness it. Fifa president Gianni Infantino had declared this was the best-ever World Cup and although that is disputable, on several levels, no-one would surely deny the primacy of its 64^th and final fixture.

But for almost 80 minutes it was as one-sided as it could possibly be. Argentina were imperious and France appeared almost sedated by the virus that had swept through their camp. Mbappe did not get a kick and then he exploded into life with the two goals, in 97 dizzying seconds, to draw France level and force the extra 30 minutes.

Maybe we should also thank Nicolas Otamendi because it was not until the defender’s crude challenge, gifting a penalty, that the contest exploded. And explode it did. End to end. Chances for both sides; great saves and even greater drama.

Nicolas Otamendi unwittingly ignited the contest by fouling France's Randal Kolo Muani in the box - AP© Provided by The Telegraph

Given the sheer weight of support inside the stadium and their dominance it was almost like a baying home match for Argentina who played with a swagger and were fully deserving of their two first-half goals.

Messi was already arguably above Pele and ahead of Diego Maradona in the hall of fame of football greats but that claim was always questioned by the bare fact that, after four previous World Cups, he was yet to leave as a champion unlike those two other gods of the game.

No more. The last dance did indeed turn into a tango for the 35-year-old as Argentina, coached by the former West Ham defender Lionel Scaloni who has built a team to service Messi, were crowned world champions for the third time and the first time since Maradona led them in 1986.

While the attention will understandably focus on Messi, who was mesmerising, the influence of Angel Di Maria, another feted veteran, was huge as he was recalled and won the penalty and scored to complete a wonderful counter-attack. He tormented France. There were tears from the 34-year-old after his goal and when he went off Argentina began to struggle.

But kudos also to Didier Deschamps. The France coach showed cojones. He made bold substitutions, including withdrawing Olivier Giroud, who threw a water bottle in frustration, and Ousmane Dembele in the first-half, and the ineffective Antoine Griezmann in the second, and changed shape as France went 4-4-2. It worked. Deschamps kept trying things – and his substitutes were involved in the goals with Randal Kolo Muani outstanding - and did not accept France’s apparent fate.

Before that it had been all Argentina. France railed against the penalty they conceded but Di Maria was canny, Di Maria was clever and Dembele was isolated. The Argentina winger went over and there was enough contact to convince the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak.

Messi scores from the spot in normal time - Getty© Provided by The Telegraph

Messi closed his eyes. Messi composed himself - at the other end Martinez kissed the post - before Hugo Lloris was deceived with Messi watching all the way as he became the first player to score in the group stages, the last-16, the quarter-final, the semi-final and now the final of a World Cup. Yes, four of those goals were penalties but he delivered.

France were being torn apart. When yet another loose pass, this time from Dayot Upamecano, was intercepted, Argentina countered and inevitably it was a deft touch from Messi that helped make it as he found Julian Alvarez who picked out the run of Alexis Mac Allister. Suddenly the Brighton midfielder was free down the right and as France tried to cover Mac Allister, who had an excellent game, had the vision to sweep a pass across field to the unmarked Di Maria who finished.

The story was France not turning up. Or France not able to compete through illness because they did not have a shot until the 71st minute. But what a difference a panicked challenge made and when Otamendi bundled Kolo Muani over, Mbappe drove home his first penalty before running to collect the ball.

Surely it was a consolation? No, France were transformed. They had energy they previously appeared to lack. Coman held off Messi and they were away with a smart one-two involving Mbappe and Marcus Thuram who hooked it back into the forward’s path. There was much to do but Mbappe caught out Martinez by volleying the ball powerfully across him.

What kind of madness was this? Argentina were dazed but Messi hammered in a shot that looked set to beat Lloris who excelled in turning it over to force extra-time.

So often that period is a disappointment. This time it was remarkable with Lloris beating out a fierce drive from Lautaro Martinez with Messi pouncing to bundle in the rebound before Upamecano could clear. Messi knew and the goal was confirmed.

Surely that was it. That was the story. But, as great players do, Mbappe was having none of it and when his shot smacked off Leandro Paredes’s elbow he had the calmness to again beat Martinez from the spot and force the shoot-out.

But, hold fast, before that France should have actually won it when Kolo Muani was sent clear inside the area. There were just 20 seconds to go – only 20 seconds - and he had to score. The shot was low enough and firm enough – but Martinez stuck out a boot and turned it away. What a save and it would not be his last decisive intervention.

Lionel Messi, World Cup winner

What a player, what a match. In terms of the on-pitch action, that's the best World Cup final I have watched and I'm guessing only people old enough for West Germany 3 Hungary 2 in 1954 would take issue. Amazing that Kylian Mbappe finished on the losing side with a hat-trick. Very hard lines for the two France guys who missed but I think at least the final won't really be remembered for that. Jason Burt's match report will now appear in full above, from me Alan Tyers and the rest of the Telegraph Sport team, thanks for reading and goodnight.

Including the five players who share top spot for assists with three each. They are Portugal's Bruno Fernandes, Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Antoine Griezmann, Croatia's Ivan Perisic

Despair

France's Kylian Mbappe - AP© AP

The Golden Ball

for best player of the tournament goes to Lionel Messi. Cradling that in his arms, he goes over the World Cup trophy and gives it a little kiss.

Young player of the tournament

Goes to Enzo Fernandez of Argentina.

Argentina had their own super fan

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates victory over France to win the FIFA World Cup with former player Sergio Aguero - PA© PA

Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot

Scant consolation I am sure right now but the French forward will collect the Golden Boot with a superb eight goals. Messi settles for second place with seven (taking his Argentina tally to 98).

Triumph and despair

Argentina players celebrate after the team's victory in the penalty shoot out as France players look dejected - Getty Images Europe© Getty Images Europe

The great man congratulates/congratulated

Argentina's Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes celebrate - Reuters© Reuters

Here is the moment

Gonzalo Montiel slots away the final kick.

Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel scores the winning penalty - AP© AP

Martinez

Emiliano Martinez of Argentina saves from Kingsley Coman - Getty Images Europe© Getty Images Europe

Emi Martinez has completely reinvented the role of the keeper in a penalty shoot out. So physically and psychologically dominant in this shoot out and the one versus the Dutch. He has made it more "will he save?" than "they should score."

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a penalty during the penalty shootout - Reuters© Reuter

Kylian Mbappe of France scores a hat trick and the team's third goal via a penalty - Getty Images© Getty Images

Lionel Messi makes it 3-2 - Reuters© Reuters

France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates - Reuters© Reuters

Kylian Mbappe of France scores the team's second goal - Getty© Getty

Kylian Mbappe of France scores the team's first goal from the penalty spot past Emiliano Martinez of Argentina - Getty Images Europe© Getty Images Europe

Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi concedes a penalty against France's Randal Kolo Muani - Reuters© Reuters

Hugo Lloris of France makes a save against Alexis Mac Allister - Getty© Getty

...and here's the picture in France

outside a cafe in Marseille, - AP© AP

03:59 PM

Here's the scenes in Argentina...

Fans of Argentina celebrate - AFP via Getty© AFP via Getty

Poor old Giroud

France's Olivier Giroud is substituted off by France coach Didier Deschamps - Reuters© Reuters

Top-notch celebration too

Angel Di Maria of Argentina celebrates - Getty© Getty

Angel Di Maria of Argentina scores - Getty© Getty

Angel Di Maria of Argentina scores the team's second - Getty© Getty

Angel Di Maria of Argentina is fouled by Ousmane Dembele of France - Catherine Ivill/Getty Images© Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

03:21 PM

Kylian Mbappe of France embraces Lionel Messi - FIFA via Getty Images)© FIFA via Getty Images)

This has been as close to involvement as Mbappe has got so far.

ADM shoots over© Provided by The Telegraph

What a treat it must be to be in the VVVIP area. Pogba, Djokovic, Macron, Sir Elton Musk, and various Gulf princes. The dinner party from hell.

On the pitch, the South Americans are well on top. Di Maria saw loads of the ball. Him and Messi really looking dangerous.

Argentina: Emi Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez. Subs: Armani, Foyth, Montiel, Paredes, Pezzella, Acuna, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Rodriguez, Dybala, Lisandro Martinez, Lautaro Martinez.

France: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud. Subs: Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Muani, Fofana, Veretout, Mandanda, Saliba, Coman, Areola, Konate, Camavinga, Thuram.

Messi prematch - PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images© PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Big Ollie looking a bit ginger

O Giroud warming up - David Klein / Sportimage© David Klein / Sportimage

Pictures: The closing ceremony

Artists perform during the tournament closing ceremony prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium - Thanassis Stavrakis/AP© Thanassis Stavrakis/AP

Fireworks explode as artists perform during the World Cup closing ceremony before the final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium - AP/Hassan Ammar© Provided by The Telegraph

Pictured: Macron at Lusail Stadium

Pictured: Fans gear up for the big match

A supporter of Argentina and another of France cheer on the stands ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium - Getty Images/Franck Fife© Getty Images/Franck Fife

Argentina fans show their support prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium - Clive Brunskill/Getty Images© Provided by The Telegraph

France fans inside the stadium before the match - Bernadett Szabo/Reuters© Provided by The Telegraph

Argentinian fans cheer before the the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail

Didier Deschamps, fitness coach Cyril Moine and goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot - Carl Recine/Reuters© Carl Recine/Reuters