Man from Brighton wins FIFA World Cup
A man from Brighton has made history by becoming the first ever Albion player to win the FIFA World Cup.
Alexis Mac Allister, 23, played for Argentina as they defeated France on penalties to lift the famous gold trophy at the Lusail Stadium, Qatar.
An enthralling game of football dubbed by some as the best World Cup final ever had ended 3-3, sending the game to dreaded spot kicks.
Argentina kept their nerve, winning 4-2 from 12 yards. Their victory meant that Lionel Messi, long considered to be one of the greatest players in history, finally got his hands on the one trophy which had eluded him throughout his glittering career.
Mac Allister was one of the best players on the pitch, being heavily involved in the second Argentina goal scored after 36 minutes.
A sweeping counter attack began when Mac Allister found Messi, whose delicate touch to Julian Alvarez led the Manchester City forward to send Mac Allister racing clear of the French defence.
Mac Allister showed impeccable vision and decision making, sweeping a perfect low pass across the box for Angel Di Maria to convert past Hugo Lloris.
An Albion player had an assist in a World Cup final. Something no Brighton fan would ever have dreamt possible 25 years ago when the club were homeless, broke and 91st of 92 teams in the English Football League.
“Still have to pinch myself watching a Brighton & Hove Albion player in a World Cup final,” said BBC television commentator Guy Mowbray moments before Mac Allister set up Di Maria.
“A goal made by the boy from Brighton,” followed. In the second half, Mowbray went so far as to suggest that Mac Allister should inherit the number 10 shirt for Argentina when Messi retires.
At that point, Mac Allister and his teammates appeared to be cruising to victory. France had done very little until the final 10 minutes, when Kylian Mbappe decided it was time to join the party.
In the space of 60 seconds, Mbappe scored a penalty and a brilliant volley to pull France level. The second goal came after Messi had lost possession which, whisper it quietly, is something you do not see Mac Allister do.
Those two Mbappe strikes sent the game to extra time. Messi thought he had won it in the 108th minute when firing home a rebound after a good Lloris save.
So too did Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni. What else could explain his decision to take Mac Allister off, other than the belief that the game was done and dusted?
There was a standing ovation for Mac Allister as he left the field. His performance received the highest score on the BBC player ratings, ahead of even Messi and Mbappe.
Mac Allister had been off the pitch all of two minutes when Mbappe won France another penalty. The forward successfully converted, becoming the second ever player after Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
Mbappe and Messi both scored their penalties in the shoot out. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reminded the world why he is a master at spot kick psychology, saving from Kingsley Coman before getting into the head of Aurelian Tchouameni who fired wide.
That left Gonzalo Montiel the chance to clinch the World Cup for Argentina. He beat Lloris and the party began, Messi sinking to his knees whilst his teammates went wild in celebration.
Mac Allister posted a photo of himself with Messi, Di Maria and the World Cup trophy afterwards along with the caption: “Those who deserved it most. Thank you for everything.”
Argentina had begun their World Cup campaign with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, the only game which Mac Allister did not start. His promotion to Scaloni’s starting XI helped turn around a tournament which they might have otherwise exited in embarrassing fashion at the group stage.
The Argentina squad flew back to Buenos Aires after the final via a stopover in Madrid. They are expected to join the massive party currently taking place in the capital over the next few days.
It therefore seems unlikely that Mac Allister will follow up winning the World Cup by turning out away at League One Charlton Athletic in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
