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As Argentina prepare for their third FIFA World Cup final in the last four editions, head coach Lionel Scaloni can draw inspiration from the unforgettable 2022 showdown.

The match between La Albiceleste and France is widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in World Cup history — a thrilling 3-3 contest that was ultimately decided by Argentina’s triumph in the penalty shoot-out.

While Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe dominated the headlines with their extraordinary performances, the defining moment of the final came from neither of the two global superstars.

Argentina appeared to be cruising towards their second world title, thanks to goals from Messi and Angel Di Maria that gave them a strong lead deep into the second half.

However, with just ten minutes of normal time left, Mbappe struck twice within two minutes to force extra time. The French forward then completed his hat-trick in the 118th minute, cancelling out Messi’s earlier goal in extra time.

But the night still had one more twist — a moment that Argentina legend Javier Zanetti, watching from the stands at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, says he will never forget.

“Life stopped in that moment,” said the former Argentina captain and 145-time international while speaking to FourFourTwo.

The incident Zanetti referred to happened in the dying seconds of extra time, when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a breathtaking save to deny Randal Kolo Muani. Martinez stretched out his leg to block what looked certain to be a last-minute winner for France.

“It’s a moment we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” continued the former Inter Milan stalwart. “In a second, everything could have changed. France were inches from the World Cup.”

That save perfectly captured the fine margins that define football at the highest level — a single instant capable of deciding careers, legacies, and history itself.

As Argentina get ready to face Spain on Sunday, with the chance to become just the third team ever to claim consecutive World Cup titles, Zanetti believes it will be hard for any match to surpass the drama of the 2022 epic.

“It was a magnificent final – a true rollercoaster of emotions,” he added. “Of all the finals I’ve seen and experienced, that one was undoubtedly the best.”