But late on in the second half France stirred, after Muani won Les Bleus a penalty kick and Mbappe converted FC 24 Coins, and momentum seemed to shift in France favour, especially after Mbappe scored a brilliant volley to make it 2-2. The game went to extra time with Messi scoring again before Mbappe equalised in another penalty to make it a hat-trick for the 23-year-old, the competition first hat-trick in a final since 1966 and England Geoff Hurst.
With the two teams tied at 3-3 at the end of extra time, the game went to penalties, where France failed to score two of their penalties while Argentina found the net with all of their spot kicks, making Argentina the winners of the World Cup. It was a dream final for the sky-blue-and-whites as Lionel Messi can now retire from international football having won the game biggest compeition and giving Argentina its third World Cup.
We will have to see how EA Sports predicts the 2026 World Cup, which is due to be held jointly between Mexico, Canada, and the USA, to find out if it can predict the winners for the fifth consective time.
Much like when I attempt to play MMOexp FIFA online nowadays and promptly get schooled, likely by someone far younger than me with a lot more time on their hands, this might be a case of me showing my age. Having an update allowing me to play World Cup games on MMOexp FIFA alongside the World Cup itself has been great, but it doesnt compare to an era during which MMOexp FIFA would make standalone World Cup games to celebrate the quadrennial tournament.
Again showing my age, my love of football was really kicked into gear by France 98. David Beckham red card against Argentina, France sweeping Brazil aside in the final, and equally as responsible as the tournament itself was the video game that came with it. I spent a lot more time replaying, recreating, and rewriting that tournament on my PS1 than I ever did watching it. In a time before MMOexp FIFA killer soundtracks, EA chose just one song to play as you perused France 98 menus, and they chose it well buy FCUT 24 Coins. Tubthumping by Chumbawumba.
