For so long it looked like Argentina were going to walk it against an off-colour France.
And then, suddenly all hell cut loose to throw more drama and excitement at us than we could handle.
Messi and Mbappe duked it out, but ultimately it was the former and Argentina who came out on top.
Thank you for joining us today and for the last four weeks of the 2022 World Cup.
I'll leave you with the best bits from a stunning final for the ages...
'We'll never see anything like this again'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One
We'll never see anything like this again. I can't imagine that happening. Where you see two great teams going toe to toe, no-one takes a back step.The two superstars on either team again slugging it out, goal for goal. Magnificent.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
In France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, this was the first ever World Cup final to see both teams have a player score at least twice.
Mbappe himself was only the second ever hat-trick scorer in a World Cup final, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966.
And magical Mbappe
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
France forward Kylian Mbappe became the fifth player to score in two separate World Cup finals, after Vavá (1958, 1962), Pelé (1958, 1970), Paul Breitner (1974, 1982), and Zinedine Zidane (1998, 2006). He has four goals in finals of the World Cup overall, the outright most of any player.
Mbappe scored his 10th (and 11th and 12th) World Cup goal, becoming the 15th different player to reach double figures at the finals. Aged 23 years and 363 days, he was the youngest of those 15 to hit that tally, surpassing Gerd Muller (24y 226d).
Magical Messi
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi made his 26th appearance in a World Cup match, becoming the all-time record holder for most games played at the tournament, overtaking Lothar Matthaus (25).
Messi has been directly involved in 21 goals at the World Cup for Argentina (13 goals, 8 assists), the outright most of any player for any nation at the finals on record (since 1966).
Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the tournament.
'It's been a fantastic World Cup'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
For me, it's been a great experience. I have to say, it's been brilliant from my point of view in terms of football, surprises and everything. It's been fantastic. I have really enjoyed my time here.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
When Scaloni took over four years ago, he didn't want to pick Sergio Aguero, who was flying with Man City at the time, because there was a feeling Messi would only talk to him.
It was a way to make him be more outgoing. That problem was identified. Imagine being a young player called up, all you'd want to do is win Messi's respect, but if he doesn't talk to you, maybe you think he doesn't rate you. It was having an inhibiting effect.
New World Cup goals record
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick goal, the sixth of this final, was the 172nd goal at the 2022 World Cup, a new all-time competition record, surpassing the 171 scored in both 1998 and 2014.
Argentina the shootout kings
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Argentina have won more penalty shootouts than any nation in World Cup history, with this their sixth such triumph.
They are the third nation to win a World Cup final shootout, after Brazil in 1994 and Italy in 2006.
Get Involved
#bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)
DSSBrooks: Considering the injuries before the tournament began and then the illnesses leading up to the final, France did amazingly well. They were awful for 80 minutes, but then suddenly came to life. Argentina lacked gamesmanship, it was a real shame France did not win.
Ho-Ho-Ho-dyoth: Better team won on the night, the best team at the tournament and finally, Messi has his World Cup.
'Class from France'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
This French side have handled themselves with nothing but class while waiting throughout for this ceremony. The Argentinian side, rightly so celebrating with their fans. They have stood there, gracious in defeat.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live
France showed so much character to come back not once but twice.
Everyone thought it was over and then Mbappe scores a penalty... it is cruel to lose like this.
Everyone is crying, it is normal when you are so close. But you learn a lot from these moments.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
Has there ever been a world class player with less ego than Angel di Maria?
He'll do whatever is asked. If you want him to play wide left, wide right, in a mIdfield three, he'll do it.
What a performance from him, but when he went off, the game started to change.
'Incredible Scaloni winning the World Cup with no experience'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
Brilliant. To see all the players continually celebrating. The players, the country, we have just been waiting for a moment like that.
Scaloni made some smart decisions today, bringing Dybala on for the penalty shootout. Incredible, Scaloni winning the Copa America and the World Cup with no experience.
Three-time winners
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Argentina have won the World Cup for a third time (also 1978 and 1986), 36 years since their last triumph in 1986.
Only Italy (44 years from 1938 to 1982) have ever had a longer gap between winning two World Cups.
'We will see Messi and Maradona with the World Cup trophy'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
It's one of those moments. I was just looking at Messi and I know what it means for the players. Well done to France and Mbappe. Thank you to everyone for that great game, we really enjoy it.
I've been part of that youth team, when Messi came for the first time to play for the national team. He came to represent his country, the passion and the respect.
He has always shown that for his country and we need to respect that. Everyone is just crying and giving him a big hug because he is one of those players who really really deserve it so well done.
For our country, we will see a picture of Maradona and Messi, two of the greatest players of all time with the World Cup trophy. That is something so incredible. We are so lucky.
Messi lifts the World Cup!
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Lionel Messi, the man who will come to define this World Cup and arguably its greatest ever final, rubs his hands together in glee, takes possession of the World Cup, gives it a shine and lifts it into the Qatar sky.
His team-mates around him, and the masses of Argentine fans in the stands, go nuts! Back in Buenos Aires and across Argentina they'll be doing exactly the same.
Your 2022 World Cup winners, ladies and gentlemen. Congratulations to Argentina!
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
And here is Argentina's big moment. Time for them to be crowned World champions for the third time.
They are coming up in number order, which means reserve keeper Franco Armani leads them up!
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Always a tough walk this. The French players make their way up, looking glum, to accept their runners-up medals.
President Emmanuel Macron is giving out a hug each to a group that can now no longer call themselves the reigning world champions.
Is this the end of the Didier Deschamps era? There's chat that Zinedine Zidane is in line to succeed him. Not a bad replacement.
Post update
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The player of the tournament? Well, that goes to a certain fella called Lionel Messi.
He gets an even bigger cheer!
Greatest player of all time? Let's not do that now! Let's just enjoy him.
He plants a kiss on the World Cup trophy as he passes. Hello beautiful!
Live Reporting
Phil Dawkes
All times stated are UK
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Latest PostThank you and goodnight!
We'll be talking about this final for years!
For so long it looked like Argentina were going to walk it against an off-colour France.
And then, suddenly all hell cut loose to throw more drama and excitement at us than we could handle.
Messi and Mbappe duked it out, but ultimately it was the former and Argentina who came out on top.
Thank you for joining us today and for the last four weeks of the 2022 World Cup.
I'll leave you with the best bits from a stunning final for the ages...
'We'll never see anything like this again'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One
We'll never see anything like this again. I can't imagine that happening. Where you see two great teams going toe to toe, no-one takes a back step.The two superstars on either team again slugging it out, goal for goal. Magnificent.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
In France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, this was the first ever World Cup final to see both teams have a player score at least twice.
Mbappe himself was only the second ever hat-trick scorer in a World Cup final, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966.
And magical Mbappe
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
France forward Kylian Mbappe became the fifth player to score in two separate World Cup finals, after Vavá (1958, 1962), Pelé (1958, 1970), Paul Breitner (1974, 1982), and Zinedine Zidane (1998, 2006). He has four goals in finals of the World Cup overall, the outright most of any player.
Mbappe scored his 10th (and 11th and 12th) World Cup goal, becoming the 15th different player to reach double figures at the finals. Aged 23 years and 363 days, he was the youngest of those 15 to hit that tally, surpassing Gerd Muller (24y 226d).
Magical Messi
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi made his 26th appearance in a World Cup match, becoming the all-time record holder for most games played at the tournament, overtaking Lothar Matthaus (25).
Messi has been directly involved in 21 goals at the World Cup for Argentina (13 goals, 8 assists), the outright most of any player for any nation at the finals on record (since 1966).
Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the tournament.
'It's been a fantastic World Cup'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
For me, it's been a great experience. I have to say, it's been brilliant from my point of view in terms of football, surprises and everything. It's been fantastic. I have really enjoyed my time here.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
When Scaloni took over four years ago, he didn't want to pick Sergio Aguero, who was flying with Man City at the time, because there was a feeling Messi would only talk to him.
It was a way to make him be more outgoing. That problem was identified. Imagine being a young player called up, all you'd want to do is win Messi's respect, but if he doesn't talk to you, maybe you think he doesn't rate you. It was having an inhibiting effect.
New World Cup goals record
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick goal, the sixth of this final, was the 172nd goal at the 2022 World Cup, a new all-time competition record, surpassing the 171 scored in both 1998 and 2014.
Argentina the shootout kings
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Argentina have won more penalty shootouts than any nation in World Cup history, with this their sixth such triumph.
They are the third nation to win a World Cup final shootout, after Brazil in 1994 and Italy in 2006.
Get Involved
#bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)
DSSBrooks: Considering the injuries before the tournament began and then the illnesses leading up to the final, France did amazingly well. They were awful for 80 minutes, but then suddenly came to life. Argentina lacked gamesmanship, it was a real shame France did not win.
Ho-Ho-Ho-dyoth: Better team won on the night, the best team at the tournament and finally, Messi has his World Cup.
'Class from France'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
This French side have handled themselves with nothing but class while waiting throughout for this ceremony. The Argentinian side, rightly so celebrating with their fans. They have stood there, gracious in defeat.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live
France showed so much character to come back not once but twice.
Everyone thought it was over and then Mbappe scores a penalty... it is cruel to lose like this.
Everyone is crying, it is normal when you are so close. But you learn a lot from these moments.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
Has there ever been a world class player with less ego than Angel di Maria?
He'll do whatever is asked. If you want him to play wide left, wide right, in a mIdfield three, he'll do it.
What a performance from him, but when he went off, the game started to change.
'Incredible Scaloni winning the World Cup with no experience'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
Brilliant. To see all the players continually celebrating. The players, the country, we have just been waiting for a moment like that.
Scaloni made some smart decisions today, bringing Dybala on for the penalty shootout. Incredible, Scaloni winning the Copa America and the World Cup with no experience.
Three-time winners
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Argentina have won the World Cup for a third time (also 1978 and 1986), 36 years since their last triumph in 1986.
Only Italy (44 years from 1938 to 1982) have ever had a longer gap between winning two World Cups.
'We will see Messi and Maradona with the World Cup trophy'
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC One
It's one of those moments. I was just looking at Messi and I know what it means for the players. Well done to France and Mbappe. Thank you to everyone for that great game, we really enjoy it.
I've been part of that youth team, when Messi came for the first time to play for the national team. He came to represent his country, the passion and the respect.
He has always shown that for his country and we need to respect that. Everyone is just crying and giving him a big hug because he is one of those players who really really deserve it so well done.
For our country, we will see a picture of Maradona and Messi, two of the greatest players of all time with the World Cup trophy. That is something so incredible. We are so lucky.
Messi lifts the World Cup!
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Lionel Messi, the man who will come to define this World Cup and arguably its greatest ever final, rubs his hands together in glee, takes possession of the World Cup, gives it a shine and lifts it into the Qatar sky.
His team-mates around him, and the masses of Argentine fans in the stands, go nuts! Back in Buenos Aires and across Argentina they'll be doing exactly the same.
Your 2022 World Cup winners, ladies and gentlemen. Congratulations to Argentina!
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
And here is Argentina's big moment. Time for them to be crowned World champions for the third time.
They are coming up in number order, which means reserve keeper Franco Armani leads them up!
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
Always a tough walk this. The French players make their way up, looking glum, to accept their runners-up medals.
President Emmanuel Macron is giving out a hug each to a group that can now no longer call themselves the reigning world champions.
Is this the end of the Didier Deschamps era? There's chat that Zinedine Zidane is in line to succeed him. Not a bad replacement.
Post update
FT: Argentina 3-3 France AET (4-2 on pens)
The player of the tournament? Well, that goes to a certain fella called Lionel Messi.
He gets an even bigger cheer!
Greatest player of all time? Let's not do that now! Let's just enjoy him.
He plants a kiss on the World Cup trophy as he passes. Hello beautiful!