(CNN) — This World Cup final was a match that seemed to defy comprehension, convention and any attempt to describe it.
How could the sound in the stadium be captured when Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy? Or the calm with which Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty to equalize after extra time?
It was, while the world seemed to make up its mind in an attempt to sum it all up, simply the best finale ever.
âThe best World Cup final in historyâ, Usain Bolt tweeted along with photographs of himself in an Argentina jersey at the Lusail Stadium.
âWe are out of breath up here. It was an incredible final. It was a pleasure to be here. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like it again. It was amazing,” former England international Alan Shearer said on the BBC.
Messi’s penalty and Ăngel Di MarĂa’s first-half goal seemed to have settled the tie in regulation time, but MbappĂ© scored two late goals, one from the penalty spot, in as many minutes to give France an equalizer and force the extension.
With both teams feeling the effects of the brilliant finish, Messi looked to have scored the winner in the 108th minute in what would have been a Hollywood finish.
âOMG #FIFAWorldCup. This game is a beautiful evil curse. I love it so much make it stop.” tweeted actor Ryan Reynolds just after Messi’s goal made it 3-2 for Argentina after extra time.
But Mbappé, once again, responded with an equalizer from eleven steps to take the game to penalties.
âOk, if I have a heart attack it is because I am watching this #FIFAWorldCupâ, tweeted Serena Williams.
“What a game man. If anyone still doesn’t think this is the best sport ever…” the former Arsenal midfielder tweeted. Cesc Fabregas as the players lined up to take penalties.
France’s Kingsley Coman saw his penalty kick cleared away by Emiliano MartĂnez, who was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper, and AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni deflected his shot away before Gonzalo Montiel secured Argentina’s third world title and first since 1986.
Telemundo commentator AndrĂ©s Cantor simply repeated: âArgentina is world championâ, hugging his co-commentator Claudio Borghi and with his voice cracking with emotion.
The photos showed the streets of Buenos Aires awash in blue and white as people came out to celebrate.
The president of Argentina, Alberto FernĂĄndez, tweeted: âThanks to the players and technical team. They are the example that we should not give up. That we have a great people and a great future.â
Even Brazil, the great rival of La Albiceleste, sent congratulations.
âHappy with the victory of the Argentine neighbors. Great game from Messi, who deserved it a lot, and from Di MarĂa. Congratulations to the players, the Argentine coaching staff and my friend @alferdez”, tweeted the president of Brazil, Lula da Silvaalong with an emoji of the Argentine flag.
The former England striker Michael Owen tweeted: âCongratulations Argentina. amazing game. Surely the best ending ever? Messi puts the top hat on an incredible career, but think of MbappĂ©, a hat-trick in a World Cup final and he goes home empty-handed.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled to Qatar for the final, tweeted: âLes Bleus made us dreamâ.
He appeared on the pitch afterwards and comforted Mbappé as the 23-year-old stared off into the night.
French Prime Minister Ălisabeth Borne also tweeted: âThank you Les Bleus! We have trembled with all of you, only to the end. Thank you for this journey, thank you for making us dream, thank you for this exceptional game.”