Three parts down, two games to go. Eight games have clawed their way into the countdown of the top 10 championship sports games since 2010. Of those eight, only two have taken place in the 2020s. However, the saying goes, “save the best for last.” And the 2020s definitely left their mark with the top two games on this list.
Like hockey and baseball, soccer is a sport of low-scoring affairs. Rarely, if ever, does a team reach double digits in scoring. Unlike baseball and hockey, however, momentum changes do not commonly occur on a dime in soccer.
It is for these reasons that some people find soccer boring, but this World Cup matchup was anything but. A thriller for the ages, this classic is for everyone, soccer fan or not.
France had won the most recent World Cup up to this point in 2018. Led by Kylian Mbappe, the Frenchmen were to face Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player ever. Argentina hadn’t won a World Cup since 1986, but Messi and the rest of the Argentinians had their minds set on changing that.
Argentina got the first big opportunity of the game about 21 minutes in. Lionel Messi got a penalty kick after France tripped Angel Di Maria of Argentina. He cashed in, inching closer to the big trophy that had eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
3 years ago today: Argentina vs France. 2022 World Cup final. One of the GREATEST ever football matches.
Di Maria would later score himself on a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, putting Argentina up 2-0 about 36 minutes into the game.
If Argentina thought they were in the clear, though, they were sorely mistaken. Julian Alvarez and Messi both had a chance to put them up 3-0 in the span of about a minute, but neither could convert at a bad angle. Alvarez then set up Mac Allister beautifully a few minutes later, only to have the chance thwarted by French goalie Hugo Lloris.
Mbappe had a decent look at the 70-minute mark, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. It looked hopeless for France, but they would get the break they had been searching for 79 minutes into the game. Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina tripped France’s Randal Kolo Muani close to the goal. Of course, Kylian Mbappe would take the penalty kick. He nailed it, putting France within striking distance.
Just about a minute later, Kingsley Coman would steal the ball from Lionel Messi, giving the ball right back to Mbappe, who would tie the game at two apiece. Just like that, Argentina was on thin ice. They lost their lead, and with it their momentum.
Argentina suffered another massive scare at the 93:41 mark, where Enzo Fernandez could’ve easily been penalized after tripping France’s Kingsley Coman. Argentina goalie Emiliano Martinez then saved a great shot from Adrien Rabiot without allowing a rebound. Three minutes later, Lloris saved a bullet from Messi.
Later, Lautaro Martinez almost put Argentina ahead with only Lloris in front of him, but his shot went wide. The game had long passed regulation, and the opportunities were better and coming faster than ever, but no one could convert.
Lautaro Martinez would get yet another fantastic look about 108 minutes into the game. Lloris saved it, but the rebound went right to Messi. Jules Kounde was back to help France save it, but he was way beyond the goal line. Argentina regained the lead, 3-2.
9. Mbappé’s Hat-trick vs. Messi (2022)World Cup final. France vs. Argentina. Mbappé scores a hat-trick. Messi wins it on penalties. The greatest final in history.pic.twitter.com/sk4ohfH1sC
Once again, though, Argentina couldn’t hold the lead. Mbappe sank another penalty shot after Gonzalo Montiel accidentally blocked his shot with a forearm. Randal Kolo Muani then had a massive chance to give France the victory, centered up with only Emiliano Martinez in front of him. Martinez stuck out his leg for the save of his career, sending the game to a shootout.
Argentina would win the shootout 4-2 in the greatest game in World Cup history.
Anyone who thought the 11-inning classic from the 2011 World Series was nuts was in for a treat with this game. That game was more chaotic, but this game had more plays with EVERYTHING on the line on each singular play.
The Dodgers were looking to go back-to-back with a win in this game. They beat the Yankees the previous year, but the Blue Jays were putting up a much tougher fight against arguably the best roster ever. The Blue Jays even led the series twice at 1-0 and 3-2.
Former two-time World Series champion Max Scherzer was on the mound for the Blue Jays, while Shohei Ohtani started for the Dodgers. The Dodgers would be rotating through multiple starters in this game due to their unreliable bullpen.
Shohei Ohtani and George Springer both led off with hits for their respective teams. Springer was thrown out trying to steal second base on a 3-2 count after slowing down because he thought Ohtani walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr., when Ohtani actually struck him out. The Blue Jays would apply pressure in the second but leave the bases loaded.