Petition to replay World Cup final and rob Lionel Messi of success hits 200,000 signatures

A petition to have the 2022 Qatar World Cup final replayed has been signed by 200,000 people in an attempt to deny Argentina of their third title.

Lionel Messi and co beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in arguably one of the greatest finals in history last Sunday. Argentina were crowned champions for the first time since 1986 to deny Les Blues of retaining their title.

Gonzalo Montiel was the hero in the shoot-out but the plaudits were directed to Messi and former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez following their consistent heroics in the Middle East. Messi, who won the Golden Ball, became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final with a double.

As the week has been filled with celebrations in South America, a petition on the French website MesOpinions called for the final to be replayed, Football London reports.

It's thought that the thousands of people who have signed the petition are unhappy with the manner of Argentina's first two goals.

It's argued that referee Szymon Marciniak shouldn't have awarded a penalty to Lionel Scaloni's side after Ousmane Dembele brought down Angel Di Maria. It is also thought there are frustrations that Cristian Romero was not penalised for a foul on Kylian Mbappe in the build-up to Di Maria's strike.

It's not the first time the French have failed to take a defeat kindly. Only 18 months ago, a petition was set up after Switzerland knocked the 2018 world champions out of Euro 2020 after some believed goalkeeper Yann Sommer had come off his line before saving Mbappe's spot-kick.

The petition passed 200,000 signatures shortly after 12.30 pm GMT on December 23.