After an epic title match, Lionel Messi was carried around on shoulders, hoisting the World Cup trophy in the air as players and fans sang together in a storybook closing to a month in Qatar.
LUSAIL, Qatar — Leo Messi, Hugo Lloris and referee Szymon Marciniak gathered during a brief, welcome pause on an epic evening to conduct their third coin toss. This one would determine the particulars of the penalty shootout that was going to decide the 2022 World Cup final.
Marciniak let the coin drop and pointed to the north end of Lusail Iconic Stadium, where thousands of Argentina fans in light blue and white were clustered on the steep seats behind the net.