LUSAIL, Qatar : Argentina were made to suffer before landing their first World Cup title in 36 years, having twice squandered a lead, including in extra-time before edging past defending champions France 4-2 on penalties in the final on Sunday."It was a game where we suffered," said Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved one penalty in the shootout on Sunday but had also saved two more spot kicks in their quarter-final against Netherlands."Two crappy shots and they (France) levelled.
They give them another penalty, they scored. Thank God later I did my thing, what I dreamed of."It was a dramatic final with Argentina first squandering a two-goal lead in regular time and then going back in front in extra-time with Lionel Messi's second goal before Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to level 3-3 in the 118th minute with a second penalty that forced the shootout."There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this.
I was calm during the penalties," Martinez said.For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni it was a nail-biting finish to a turbulent tournament and he could not hold back his tears following the final whistle."I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game.
Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything," Scaloni said."I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group.