Win against France: Palacios and Argentina lift 2022 World Cup

The Albiceleste, with Bayer 04 player Exequiel Palacios in the squad, produced a focused performance in defence from the kick-off and also proved effective in attack in the first half. Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot (23'), and Ángel di María doubled the lead on 36 minutes. The South American side maintained their lead before Kylian Mbappé put France back in the game with a brace (80', 81'). Then the match went into extra time.

Messi struck again on 109 minutes to give Argentina a 3-2 lead. However, France's Mbappé produced a suitable response by levelling at 3-3 with a penalty. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the Argentinians held their nerve and converted all their penalties while France missed two from the spot.

After the final whistle came the presentation of the trophy to the new World Cup winners – including Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios who was also able to celebrate winning the title with his teammates.

Netherlands and croatia beaten

Argentina came out top in Group C above Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia and then went on to win against Australia (Round of 16), the Netherlands (quarter-finals) and Croatia (semi-finals). Palacios played in three games up to the final including the 3-0 victory over Croatia in the last four.

world cup winners: Palacios follows Lúcio

Exequiel Palacios follows on from Lúcio as the next World Cup winner playing for Bayer 04. The former Werkself central defender played for Brazil in the 2-0 victory against Germany in the 2002 final.

three world cup players back in Leverkusen

Sardar Azmoun with Iran and Piero Hincapie with Ecuador went out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stage. Jeremie Frimpong and the Netherlands lost out to Argentina in the quarter-finals. All three played in the 4-1 win in the Werkself friendly against the Swiss champions FC Zürich the day before the World Cup final.