France knock Argentina out of World Cup 2018 in Russia and it was a dramatic game between Argentina vs France. Argentina defender Marcos Rojo made a greatest mistake by taken Mpappe down inside the box in the first half of the game and penalty was awarded to France before Griezman net the penalty goal.
France 4-2 Argentina
Griezman net the first penalty goal for France
Mpappe score the third goal for France
The Argentinian defender was no match for the Frenchman's pace and power and had to result in fouling him inside the box
The entire Kazan Arena watches on as Griezmann calmly fires the penalty past a helpless Franco Armani in goal
It was the balance in the French side which made them look so fundamentally superior. Ngolo Kante was the heartbeat of a secure midfield. Paul Pogba was the axis between defence and attacking movement, even though his first half ball retention was not impeccable. And the French defence looked resolute.
But it was the looming threat of Mbappe which looked like it might end the contest. Pogba saw this. When he sought the forward with a probing long ball soon after the goal,Nicolas Tagliafico brought the No 10 to ground and, like Rojo, was booked. Pogba’s next missile went in search of Griezmann, who whipped around Rojo but could not find a telling cross.
Messi was on the game’s margins and when Cristian Pavon levelled crosses, there was no striker in the six-yard box to receive them. All of which made Angel di Maria’s strike five minutes before half time more priceless, when it arrived, than any goal he has scored in the colours of his nation.
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante tries to control the ball and drive away from Messi with possession
France were largely in control of the contest until Di Maria launched his emphatic shot from outside the penalty area
Lloris attempts to keep it out but his efforts proved to be in vein as it fizzed into the back of the net, sparking wild scenes
His own tournament had been indifferent, bringing just one shot on goal and only a third of his runs with the ball have rendered a successful pass. But the French allowed him a few yards space, 30 yards out, he arced a left foot shot past Samuel Umtiti and on beyond the dive of Hugo Lloris, leaping to his left. At 30.2 yards out, it was the longest range goal of the tournament so far.
Argentina’s second goal gave life to the sense that, in spite of everything, they have some other force behind them. Di Maria nutmegged Benjamin Pavard and drew a free-kick, which had been headed clear by Pogba when Messi’s speculative shot was turned in by Pavon.
But the truth told. Argentina’s lead lasted for nine minutes, before Pavard amended for his error, slicing across the ball which reached him from Matuidi to depatch a half volley which flew across Armani.
France were left shell shocked at the start of the second-half and found themselves behind thanks to a slice of bad luck
Mercado carries Messi as some of their Argentina team-mates celebrated their brief lead with delight in the corner
Antoine Griezmann celebrates with team-mate Olivier Giroud after scoring the opening goal of the game in Kazan
Angel Di Maria leveled things up just moments before half-time with a sensational long range effort into the top corner
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had no chance as he could only watch the ball whistle past and into the back of the net
Di Maria celebrated wildly and was instantly mobbed by this team-mates after bringing them level late in the opening period
Messi's shot from the edge of the box rebounded off the defender's leg and left Hugo Lloris unable to keep it out
Argentina's lead did not last long though as France right back Benjamin Pavard produced a moment of magic to restore parity
The defender sliced across a loose bouncing ball on the edge of the box and it flew into the top corner to make it 2-2
Then Mbappe’s four-minute contribution which turned the game back into this nation’s grasp and marked him as a player to be talked about for years. Lurking in the area, he seized a loose ball after Matiuidi’s shot had been blocked, took it to Armani’s left and slotted in.
His second was the culmination of a four-pass move which cut away a desperately failing South American defence. Matuidi and Olivier Giroud manouvered the ball into his ambit on the right hand side of the area and he did not blink.
Messi made a vain late attempt to wrest the game back towards his side, running at the French defence and twice threatening to score. Then he whipped in a cross which Sergio Aguero, a substitute, headed home. But this breathless, relentless match belonged to a number 10 in blue. It was Mbappe’s day.
Pavard's equaliser was the latest chapter in his incredible rise from the second tier in Germany to the World Cup stage
Mbappe put France back ahead moments later with some trickery in the box and a low shot that Armani should have saved
He then completed the win with an accurate finish into the far corner following a sweeping move from back to front
France now await the winner of the round of 16 tie between Uruguay and Portugal, who are due to meet on Saturday evening
Defeat is another bitter blow for Lionel Messi on the international stage and may leave his Argentina career in tatters
Messi look fustrated
MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Pavard 7.5, Varane 6.5, Umtiti 6.5, Hernandez 6; Kante 7, Pogba 7.5; Mbappe 9.5 (Thauvin 89), Griezmann 7 (Fekir 83 6), Matuidi 7.5 (Tolisso 73 6); Giroud 6.
Subs not used: Mandanda, Kimpembe, Lemar, Dembele, Nzonzi, Rami, Sidibe, Mendy, Areola.
Goals: Griezmann 13, Pavard 57, Mbappe 64 & 68
Bookings: Pavard, Matuidi, Giroud
Manager: Didier Deschamps 7
Argentina (4-3-3): Armani 5, Mercado 6, Otamendi 5.5, Rojo 5 (Fazio 45 5), Tagliafico 6; E Perez 5.5 (Aguero 66 7), Mascherano 5.5, Banega 6; Pavon 6 (Meza 73), Messi 6.5, Di Maria 7
Subs not used: Guzman, Ansaldi, Biglia, Acuna, Higuain, Salvio, Lo Celso, Dybala, Caballero.
Goals: Di Maria 41, Mercado 48, Aguero 90+2
Bookings: Mascherano, Rojo, Tagliafico, Banega, Otamendi
Manager: Jorge Sampaoli 5
Referee: Alireza Faghani
Attendance: 42,873
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