France striker Kylian Mbappe won the World Cup Golden Boot award after becoming only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, but the supersonic 23-year-old did more than just that on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium.

He breathed life into a game that seemed done and dusted till the 80th minute after a Lionel Messi spot-kick and another goal from Angel Di Maria in the second half indicated towards a one-sided affair.

In just about 97 seconds, Mbappe made the boisterous Argentine crowd at the Lusail Stadium go silent, fearing of not a repeat of the 2014 World Cup final when Messi and Co were denied glory for a whisker.

At first, he stayed calm to capitalise on Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi's mistake of dragging France forward Randal Kolo Muani down inside the box to convert a penalty in the 80th minute.

Seconds after that, Mbappe showed why he could have the world at his feet in the coming years as he quickly exchanged passes with Marcus Thuram to drive home a sensational volley that had enough precision to have found the back of the net despite a slight touch of the fingers from a diving Emiliano Martinez at the goal.

Mbappe once again had to step up to bring France back into the game when a Gonzalo Montiel handball conceded another penalty in the extra-time after Messi had restored the lead for Argentina just 10 minutes ago. And Mbappe made no mistake this time either, showing nerves of steel even at the young age of 23 to become only the second player after England's Geoff Hurst to complete a World Cup final hat-trick.

Hurst was the first player to score three goals in a final when they beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time in 1966 and he was glad to see another player finally join him on the list.

"Many congratulations to Mbappe, whatever happens. I've had a great run," Hurst tweeted as the game unfolded.

Sunday's three goals helped Mbappe pip Messi to the World Cup Golden Boot, top goalscorer with eight goals in seven matches - the most any player has scored in a World Cup since Brazil phenomenon Ronaldo also scored eight in 2002.

However, Mbappe was well short of compatriot Just Fontaine who holds the record with 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

But despite his young age, Mbappe is only four goals away from German striker Miroslav Klose's record haul of 16.

Just two days shy of turning 24, Mbappe has already played in two World Cup finals and looks destined to lead a young and bright generation of French players for many years to come.

But at Qatar's Lusail Stadium, the night belonged to his Paris St Germain team mate Lionel Messi, whose heart Mbappe helped to break four years ago in Russia when France knocked out Argentina 4-3 to win in another epic match in the last 16.

Mbappe was only 19 then and it is mind-blowing to think that his peak is still ahead of him.

Every match he seems more confident, more poised, more in control, more unstoppable with his jet-heel speed and pin-point accuracy - terrifying even the best defenders.

French President Emmanuel Macron went down to the pitch to comfort the disconsolate young superstar who is already a national treasure, giving him a long hug.

Mbappe's hat-trick at the end of his outstanding tournament will not erase the pain of losing to Argentina, but in time he will surely look back with pride.

"I'm sad for Kylian, who had a more than perfect game," said Paris St Germain president President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

"If it had been me, I would have given two cups - one for Kylian, one for Leo. He (Messi) deserves it and Kylian still has years to win a World Cup again."

It may have been Messi's night. But unlike him, Mbappe has much of his career yet to come.