Qatar 2022: Nigerian Legend Claims Final Game Was Given to Argentina by FIFA

• Julius Aghahowa seems unimpressed with how Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• The former Super Eagles man blasted match officials for awarding a penalty to Argentina
• Aghahowa insists there was no contact with Angel di Maria in the build-up to the penalty

A former Nigerian international, Julius Aghahowa has alleged that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was already given to Argentina before the final.

Aghahowa also blasted officiating at the tournament, particularly in the final, after Argentina were handed a penalty in the first half of the game against France.

Ousmane Dembele was adjudged to have fouled Angel Di Maria in the vital area and Lionel Messi slotted home the opener for La Albiceleste.

The furious ‘Aghawonder’ charged that Di Maria was not tripped in the build-up to the penalty decision. He said on Brila FM:

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“He [Di Maria] wasn’t touched. The game has been given before it was played. In such a game, shouldn’t it be checked by the VAR? This is clearly [a] demonstration that the World Cup was meant to be handed to Argentina and particularly, Lionel Messi."

Aghahowa described the situation as unfortunate and unfair.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi put the South Americans ahead from the spot, while Di Maria made it 2-0 before the end of the first half.

Les Blues came back from the break in blistering form, and Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in 90 minutes to force the tie into extra time.

The veteran striker then put La Albiceleste in front again in the second half of extra time, only for Mbappe to level for his country and send the game to a penalty shootout, where Argentina ran away winners 4-3.

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Argentina stars receive heroic welcome

Sports Brief earlier reported that hundreds of thousands of fans flooded the streets of Buenos Aires to welcome players of the national team, following their World Cup triumph.

The Argentina national team arrived in the country's capital city in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The team, led by talismanic forward and captain Messi, became world champions after beating France in the finals of the Mundial tournament on Sunday.