The 2022 World Cup served up a plethora of memorable moments and striking storylines. This is a look  back over a month filled with extreme highs and crushing lows.

First things first: Argentina won a third world title, Lionel Messi finally getting his hands on the trophy. He scored seven goals and won the Golden Ball.

Having also supplied three assists, Messi is the first player with 10 goal involvements at a single World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986.

France's Kylian Mbappé hit the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966. He's now the fixture’s highest scorer, with four goals across two finals.

Emiliano Martínez was Argentina’s penalty shootout hero. In 2018, he was the back-up keeper for Getafe and went to the World Cup as a fan. 

Here’s what Argentina’s winning penalty against France sounded like in Buenos Aires, the nation's capital. A historic moment for the country.

Many years ago, Julián Álvarez  took this photo with Lionel Messi  when he was still just a young supporter of the Argentina team.

Now, Álvarez is Messi’s partner in  crime in the Albiceleste attack. The pair starred together in the Argentinians’ semi-final victory over Croatia.

Also in the semi-finals, France’s  Randal Kolo Muani scored the second-fastest goal by a substitute in a World Cup knockout tie (42 seconds).

Neymar drew level with Pelé as  Brazil’s all-time top scorer, with 77 goals. At 30, the PSG star may have played in his last World Cup.

Croatia’s Luka Modric is the perfect captain. After beating Brazil, he made sure to console his opponents, particularly Real Madrid club-mate Rodrygo Goes.

Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch in  tears after Portugal’s quarter-final defeat. He’s 37; this may well have been his last major tournament.

Morocco became the first African  nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, eliminating Spain and Portugal  in the knockout stages.

At 39 years and 283 days old, Portuguese defender Pepe became  the oldest player to score a goal in a World Cup knockout tie.

Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic is the first goalkeeper to save the first two penalties in a shootout in the history of the World Cup.

Germany suffered a group-stage  exit for the second straight World Cup. A shock defeat to Japan dealt a fatal blow to their hopes in Qatar.

Japan’s second goal against Spain was controversial. The ball seemed to go out in the build-up, but technology has shown it stayed in - just. (TyCSports)

In Australia, the Socceroos’ decisive group game against Denmark kicked off at 4am. These were the celebrations when they went through.

Morocco keeper Bono lined up for the anthem against Belgium, but didn’t actually play! He pulled out at the last minute due to an eye problem.

Portugal vs Uruguay was interrupted by a pitch invader campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights, peace in Ukraine, equality for women in Iran… A hero.

Against Serbia, Cameroon wiped  out a two-goal deficit in 151  seconds - the quickest World Cup comeback of its kind since 1954.

Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in  their World Cup opener. It’s  La Roja’s biggest win at the finals of a major tournament.

Japan had a laudable World Cup on  the pitch and off it. Once each game was over, their fans tidied up after themselves in the stands.

Breel Embolo is the first player to score a World Cup goal against his native country. He plays for Switzerland, but was born in Cameroon.