France prevail in a 7-goal thriller against Argentina
In one of the most entertaining games of the World Cup, Messi led Argentina crashed out of the 2018 edition as they were outdone by the brilliance of a 19-year-old French striker. Mbappe scored a brace as France ran over Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 of the tournament. France will now face the winner of Portugal and Uruguay in the next game.
Griezmann opens scoring with a penalty
France opened the scoring after Mbappe was fouled in the box by Marcos Rojo, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Antoine Griezmann stepped up to take the penalty. With Argentina goal-keeper Franco Armani diving to his left early, Griezmann poked the ball right into the centre to make it 1-0 for France in the 13th minute.
Di Maria stunner draws Argentina level
On the back-foot early, Argentina piled pressure to find an equalizer, and it finally came in the 41st minute courtesy of a screamer by Angel Di Maria from 30 yards out. Di Maria collected the ball from Banega and calmly slotted it to the right top corner. It is the longest goal scored at the 2018 World Cup, till now.
Gabriel Mercado gives Argentina the lead
The scores were level going into the half-time break and when they returned Argentina stepped up their game. 3 minutes into the second half, a free-kick shot deflected on to the path of Lionel Messi whose magical touch found Gabriel Mercado. Gabriel made no mistake in putting it past the goal-keeper. Argentina were leading for the first time in the game.
Pavard scores one of the most stunning goals
The celebrations, however, were short-lived as France responded quickly and this time with more venom. France's constant pressure pushed Argentina back and when Lucas Hernandez sent in a cross that went into no man's land, right-back Benjamin Pavard spared him the blushes by scoring an absolute screamer. This was Harvard's first goal for France.
Mbappe is the new star on the block
With the scores level, it could have been anyone's game but not when Mbappe is on the prowl. The 19-year-old scored two back to back goals to give France a two-goal cushion. Mbappe became the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup since Michael Owen achieved this feat in 1998. Mbappe now has three goals at the World Cup.
New star in the making?
All hope was not lost with Aguero making it 4-3
Aguero gave Argentina some hope by scoring in the 93rd minute. Messi turned provider yet again, who sent in a sumptuous ball to Aguero to head it home. Messi is now the only player who has delivered an assist in each of the last 4 World Cups. He is the first Argentine since Maradona with two assists in a World Cup game.
Deschamps wins landmark game
France are unbeaten against South American opposition
France have now remained unbeaten in all the nine matches against South American opposition at the World Cup, since their 2-1 defeat in the hands of Argentina in 1978.
