The FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar came to an end on December 18, Sunday with Argentina and France facing off in what could be called one of the greatest finals of all time, as the match headed into a penalty shootout after too many twists, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats right throughout the game.
It was Lionel Messi’s day as the legendary player put a fairy tale end to his World Cup career by lifting the trophy and it was heartbreaks all around for the Les Bleus who stayed in the trophy race on the back of a hattrick from the 23-year old Kylian Mbappe. With the scoreline remaining at 2-2, the match headed into an extra time and the contest ended in a draw with both teams tasting a goal.
With the La Albiceleste coming out on top in the penalties, during the award ceremony, their star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who received the Golden Glove trophy, eventually made a weird act with it, letting Qatar officials and the spectators raise eyebrows. While a few of them considered it to be funny, others felt that it was a disgraceful act and slammed the goalkeeper for the same.
My Keeper @emimartinezz1 ??? #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QKAeUdXgk0
— K ?? (@Kieronocall) December 18, 2022
Perfect send-off for Lionel Messi from Argentina
It was a team work and the Les Bleus had no clue initially in the game, letting the contest slip away in the first half. The scoreline remained at 2-0 at the end of the first half in favour of Argentina, on the back of goals from Messi and Ángel Di María in the 23rd and 36th minutes. While many predicted it to be a cakewalk for the La Albiceleste, Mbappé stunned the crowd with back-to-back goals in 80th and 81st minutes respectively, bringing France back into the game.
While Messi produced the lead in the extra time, Mbappé left no stone unturned in capitalizing on a penalty, forcing the game into the penalties. At the end of the day, it was Argentina who won the shootout (4-2) and lifted the trophy, in the midst of thousands gathered to witness the greatest spectacle unfold right in front of their eyes.
As things stand, let us take a look at a few Twitter reactions to Emiliano Martinez’s act:
Disgraceful
— Sid T (@SidtalebT) December 18, 2022
It is funny
— ROVAN SAVAGE (@RovanSavage) December 18, 2022
Not a nice gesture.?
— bhanukumaar (@bhanukumaar) December 18, 2022
You can take the Villa player out of Birmingham but you can’t take the Birmingham out of the player ?
— Stuart J (@_SNJennings) December 18, 2022
The true greatest ?????
— stuart hutchison ? (@schillachi77) December 18, 2022
Dirty and rude behavior reflects your morals ??
— ???? .. (@ekwte) December 18, 2022
very bad and completely innecesary
— alvaro almonacid (@almonakill) December 18, 2022
A great athlete receiving an honorary distinction, and he acts like a trashy little boy. Shameful. Hope the take his prize away
— Tula (@LforCuba) December 18, 2022
