France 4-3 Argentina: Kylian Mbappe double inspires Les Bleus in seven-goal spectacle to dump Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste out of 2018 World Cup
- One of the games of the tournament
- Mbappe masterclass
- Screamers from Benjamin Pavard and Angel Di Maria
- Messi waves farewell to what could be his last World Cup
A Kylian Mbappe masterclass and a couple of screamers saw France progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of Lionel Messi’s Argentina in one of the games of the tournament so far.
The teenage sensation set this seven-goal thriller alight with two goals and an electrifying run to earn an early penalty which Antoine Griezmann converted.
Argentina did briefly take the lead, courtesy of a heavenly Angel Di Maria strike and a fortuitous Gabriel Mercado flick. But Benjamin Pavard produced a moment of unbelievable technical brilliance to level things up before Mbappe stole the show.
A dejected Messi dragged his side back into the game with a late cross for Sergio Aguero to head home. Ultimately though, it was not enough as one of the all-time greats waved goodbye to the 2018 World Cup.
In a match filled with individual brilliance, Mbappe was the first star to shine. The teenager’s terrifying pace carried him almost 80 yards before Marcos Rojo inexplicably hacked him down in the box.
Griezmann was calmness personified and sent Franco Armani the wrong way from the spot after 13 minutes.
Next on stage was Di Maria. Argentina were no match for France until his sensational shot from distance brought them level at the end of the first-half. Somehow, it wasn’t even the best strike of the game.
That would come later, but first the Albiceleste took a shock lead thanks to good fortune. Messi’s strike would have been simple for Hugo Lloris until it flicked off Mercado at the start of the second-half.
Les Bleus found themselves level through an unlikely source. 22-year-old Benjamin Pavard scored his first France goal in the most spectacular fashion, walking onto a cross and slicing the ball into the top corner from 20 yards. The technique was just sublime.
Then came the onslaught, led by the boy wonder Mbappe. Armani should’ve done better with the 19-year-old’s first goal, but his touch to work space in the box was immense and France were ahead on 64 minutes.
And the incredible Mbappe sealed their place in the last-eight four minutes later by rounding off a superb team goal. Olivier Giroud’s pass was perfect and the PSG forward caressed the ball side-footed into the bottom-left corner without breaking stride.
Messi’s head dropped as what could be his last shot at the greatest prize of all slipped away. But nobody could carry this Argentina side.
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He did, however, produce a marvellous cross for Aguero to offer a slither of hope in the third minute of stoppage time. The Manchester City man was omitted from the starting XI along with Gonzalo Higuain to the bemusement of many.
A thrilling game got the tense finale it deserved and France held their nerve. They will meet the victors of tonight’s clash between Uruguay and Portugal.
If it’s anything like this one, we’re in for a treat.
Star man
The French wonderkid was on a different planet today. With so many superstars on the pitch, he upstaged them all and was practically unplayable.
Moment of the match
There have been some special goals at this World Cup, but this tops them all. It was pure technique, one of the most aesthetically pleasing things you're ever likely to see. It speaks volumes of the game that this wasn't even the main talking point.
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