Both Argentina and France will need to improve their respective forms when they meet in a Round of 16 clash at the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Kazan Arena on Saturday. Despite boasting a squad overflowing with attacking talent, Argentina have struggled in their group matches. After being held 1-1 by Iceland in their campaign opener, the two-time World Cup winners were thrashed 0-3 by Croatia. [caption id=“attachment_4638071” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring against Argentina. AP /David Vincent[/caption] Facing a must-win contest against Nigeria in their last group match, Argentina were in real danger of being eliminated before Marcus Rojo scored a late winner to send them through. Part of Argentina’s woes have been Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi’s inability to reproduce his club form for his country. The diminutive genius has struggled to carry the pressure and weight of expectations that comes along with the Argentine jersey. With coach Jorge Sampaoli seeming to build his strategies around him, Messi’s struggles have hurt the entire team. Messi had however, delivered against Nigeria when he exploited some extra space allowed to him by the Africans’ defence to score a brilliant opening goal. Argentina fans will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday. The Argentine defence have also let the team down and had committed several glaring errors, specially against Iceland and Croatia. The poor form of the veteran Javier Mascherano must be giving sleepless nights to Sampaoli. As a team, Argentina will have to do much better against France, who have, on paper at least, one of the most talented squads at this World Cup. France have not fared any better. Placed in a relatively easy group, they struggled to beat Australia and Peru by narrow margins before being held to a goalless stalemate by Denmark. They will face their first big test against Argentina. If N’golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba manage to impose themselves in the midfield, then things will get extremely tough for Argentina. With inputs from agencies Click here for full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2018
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Highlights, France vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16 in Kazan: Les Bleus through to quarters
Argentina and France clash in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Kazan Arena on Saturday. Follow our live blog for scores and updates from Russia.
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So that’s it from here. It was a World Cup classic as France beat Argentina to make it to quarter-finals. Kylian Mbappe arrived in style with two scintillating goals. Lionel Messi provided two assists today, but he couldn’t prevent his side’s defeat. To be honest, the scoreline will different story, but France deserved their victory because they played better football.
We will now head to the next match between Uruguay and Portugal. We will be live-blogging it here . Do join us there.
See you!
France’s Kylian Mbappe strikes twice to send Lionel Messi’s Argentina crashing out
Read the match report here.
The broken one!
This photo!
Unlucky? Nay!
Well done, France!
The dream is over!
FRA 4-3 ARG
The resumption of play sees a skirmish as Otamendi kicks the ball on the fallen Pogba’s head. Argentina do manage one final chance but it is not to be. France are deserved winners of this seven goal thriller
FULL-TIME! FRA 4-3 ARG
One last chance for Argentina but Meza’s cross yields to nothing.
Wow! This is a World Cup classic. France deserve their win. Argentina and Messi fought hard but it’s not meant to be. Messi’s World Cup dream is over. Will he feature in Qatar 2022? Unlikely.
90+4’ FRA 4-3 ARG
Arnav: Well, there is a reason they call Messi the best player in the world. Great assist, and an excellent finish from Aguero
90+4’ FRA 4-3 ARG
Argentina’s fans sing their final song as their beloved team exits the competition. Or maybe not. Messi delivers a sumptuous ball for Agüero to head home
90+3’ FRA 4-3 ARG
Two yellow cards for minor scuffle. One for Giroud and one for Otamendi.
90+3’ FRA 4-3 ARG
Wait a minute! Is there a twist now?
Aguero heads the third goal for Argentina from Messi’s cross.
90’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Four minutes of added time. It’s almost done for Argentina. Their World Cup journey will be coming to an end.
87’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Sadly, no hat-trick for Mbappe. He is out and Thauvin will play now.
85’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Messi dribbles past Argentina defenders in typical fashion, does well to find space in the box for his shot. But there’s no sting as Lloris comfortably saves the hit.
84’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Arnav: And now Messi is down. Well, it doesn’t look like he’ll be missing upcoming games. Argentina won’t have any.
84’ FRA 4-2 ARG
It’s the end of Griezmann for this match. He’s replaced by Lyon’s Nabil Fekir.
83’ FRA 4-2 ARG
This match has truly slipped away from Argentina. Even though they are still trying, there’s a hint of resignation to the Argentineans’ play right now. And you do feel that France may have another goal in them as Argentina pushes forward.
82’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Anjani: As the game goes on, you realise that France have just been better. Sometimes it is that simple.
Poetry in motion!
Stat alert!
76’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Arnav: I’d like to see Mbappe get a hat-trick today. He really deserves one.
75’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Change for France. Tolisso replaces Matuidi.
I think so!
73’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Looks like France is keen to hold its lead now. Lucas Hernandez was in space on the left and pushing up but Griezmann tells him to go back and passes the ball laterally instead.
73’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Little setback for France. Matuidi receives yellow card and he will miss the next game, if France qualify.
72’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Anjani: It looks like the wheels are starting to come off for Argentina. They have started to look porous and tired. Now France can turn on the style.
71’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Arnav: Phenomenal goal! That assist is why I am such a fan of Giroud. That goal literally could not have been better. There is no earthly way for it to have been better.
70’ FRA 4-2 ARG
Well, that should be it. A devastating counter attack sees Giroud tee Mbappe for a first-time shot which he drives into the corner. The quality of France has eventually had its say.
68’ FRA 4-2 ARG
GOOOOAAAALL!
Mbappe again! Beautiful play from France. Goalkeeper to defender to Pogba to Giroud to Mbappe and goal!
So all over for Messi and Argentina?
A superstar!
66’ FRA 3-2 ARG
France has seen a lot of the ball since the equaliser and a nicely worked move sees Mbappe pull himself free to slam the ball home under Armani. What can Argentina offer now?
Finally, Argentina has a striker on the pitch. Agüero on for Perez. That’s more like it
64’ FRA 3-2 ARG
FRANCE TAKE LEAD!
Mbappe, you genius! You beauty! Pogba gives it to Hernandez on the left, who crosses it to Matuidi present inside the box. A mishit from Matuidi falls to Mbappe, who surges ahead and hits the ball into the net.
Agree?
60’ FRA 2-2 ARG
Anjani: Now which goal was better – Pavard or Griezmann? What a belter of a game!
59’ FRA 2-2 ARG
As if one spectacular goal was not enough, Pavard produces a stunning hit from the corner outside the box to level the scores. It looked like the French were in for some frustrating probing but a moment of individual brilliance has pulled them back. This match is already a contender for a World Cup classic
57’ FRA 2-2 ARG
OUTSTANDING! MIND-BLOWING!
Argentina fails to clear a cross from left. The ball falls to Pavard, who hits a fantastic half-volley from outside the box to equalise for France.
55’ FRA 1-2 ARG
Almost an equaliser. Fazio is not under any pressure and his pass to his own goalkeeper is heavy as Griezmann tries to sneak in between the two and slot the ball in. It’s wide.
53’ FRA 1-2 ARG
Mbappe delivers a good ball inside the box from a free-kick. Argentina clear the danger.