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Photos: Argentina defeats defending champion France for the World Cup title

Argentina's Lionel Messi holds up the trophy after winning the World Cup final.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi holds up the trophy after winning the World Cup final.
(Manu Fernandez / Associated Press)
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Argentina defeats defending champion France for the World Cup title. Lionel Messi earned the first World Cup title of his prolific career with Argentina’s 4-3 penalty kick shootout win over defending champion France at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. It is Argentina’s first World Cup title since Diego Maradona led the team to victory in 1986.
Fireworks explode above a red-lighted stadium as artists perform during the World Cup closing ceremony.
Fireworks explode as artists perform during the World Cup closing ceremony before the final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday.
(Hassan Ammar/AP)
An Argentinian places a poster of their star player Lionel Messi's before the World Cup final.
An Argentinian places a poster of their star player Lionel Messi’s before the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France.
(Petr David Josek / Associated Press)
France's Raphael Varane and Argentina's Julian Alvarez jostle for the ball.
France’s Raphael Varane, left, and Argentina’s Julian Alvarez challenge for the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday.
(Frank Augstein/AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Eduardo Camavinga aim for the ball while in mid-air.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right, and France’s Eduardo Camavinga challenge for the ball during the World Cup final.
(Christophe Ena / Associated Press)
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Argentina's Lionel Messi takes a corner kick during the World Cup final soccer match.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes a corner kick during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday.
(Petr David Josek/AP)
Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates blocking a shot from France's Kingsley Coman in a penalty shootout.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates blocking a shot from France’s Kingsley Coman in a penalty shootout during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday.
(Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
Argentina's players celebrate their victory at the end of the World Cup final.
(Christophe Ena / Associated Press)
France's Kylian Mbappe walks with the Golden Boot award for top goal scorer of the tournament.
(Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of the fans after winning the World Cup final.
(Martin Meissner / Associated Press)
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