France crushed Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dreams with a clinical display in the first match of the Round of 16, at Kazan. France were trailing 1-2 at 48 minutes, but two goals in quick succession by the French saw the South Americans crash out. A late goal into injury time raised hopes of an Argentine comeback, but in the end it was not to be.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the 13th minute following a penalty, before Di Maria levelled in the 41st minute through a brilliant left-footed shot. Gabriel Mercado gave Argentina the lead in the 48th minute when Messi’s shot took a deflection off his foot and found the back of the net. Benjamin Pavard levelled in the 57th minute with a brilliant half volley. The match looked set for a draw, but two quick goals from Kylian Mbappe in the 64th and 68th minute saw France take the match away from Argentina. Aguero scored the third for Argentina deep into injury time following a brilliant high ball from Messi, but time ran out for the South Americans as France went through.
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France and Argentina were facing off at a World Cup after 40 years. Both times Argentina had come on top. But this wasn’t a French side from 40 years ago. This was a young squad (the youngest in the World Cup) bustling with talent and they were up against the oldest squad (Argentina) in the World Cup. Speed played a big role in the game. Mbappe ran down the Argentine defence in the 11th minute, leaving the Argentine defence in his trail. It would have been his Michael Owen moment, but Rojo brought him down in the box, giving the penalty away. Griezmann took the spot-kick with relative ease, waiting for Armani to make the dive before sending the ball the other way. Mbappe continued to cause problems for Argentina as he showed his superior pace in the 19th minute and was brought down once again, but this time it was just outside the penalty box.
Argentina’s gameplay was suiting France. Messi dropped in deep to make something but had nobody to pass to each time. Di Maria and Pavon were nowhere in the picture. But Argentina levelled in the 41st minute. Messi’s corner was cleared by Pavard, but it resulted in an Argentine throw. The ball reached Di Maria who found himself in acres of space. He sized up his shot and sent a screamer past the diving Lloris.
Argentina pulled ahead just three minutes into the second half. Banega’s free-kick was cleared by Pogba but found Messi. He twisted and turned before taking a shot. It deflected off Mercado and went into the net. Argentina looked like they were going to wrest the match away from France. But the latter levelled in the 57th minute, courtesy a stunner from Pavard. The right-back who had never scored for France before, found the perfect stage and moment to step up for his country. His right-footed half volley was hit to perfection and found the far corner. Armani had no chance of stopping that.
Argentina’s defence went to sleep after that. They failed to do their jobs in the 64th minute when the ball was played into their box. Mbappe made light work of them before slotting the ball underneath Armani to give France the lead. France were meticulous in their attack and it was quite opposite of what Argentina were doing in defence. They ran up the pitch in the 68th minute, Giroud flanked by Mbappe and Griezmann. The Chelsea forward played the ball to Mbappe on the right with perfection, who put it past the charging Armani with ease. France had taken Argentina out of the equation in the span of four minutes. Sampaoli’s gameplay was mind-boggling as he chose to bring on Meza as his final substitution, once again choosing to leave out Dybala. Messi looked to giving Argentina a chance as he tore through the French defence in the 85th minute, beating Umtiti in the box. But he was falling when he took the shot and in the end the right-footed effort was a weak one and was easily collected by Lloris. It was Messi again who stepped up for Argentina. He sent a brilliant cross into the box for Aguero who put it away in the 93rd minute. Argentina looked like they might have a last second thriller on the cards, but time was against them. The match ended 4-3 and France were through.
This has arguably been the best World Cup ever and the first knockout match lived up to the expectations. In the end, France deserved to go through. They put up a fine performance and coach Didier Deschamps can be proud of his boys. They now await the winner from the matchup between Uruguay and Portugal. Messi’s agonising wait for World Cup glory has been extended for another four years at least, that is, if he doesn’t retire. Argentina are in dire need of someone to step up to take the weight off his shoulders. Dybala was christened to be the next Messi, but he wasn’t part of Sampaoli’s plans at all. As Messi and Argentina’s dream ends, a young France dream on and look set to make their hopes a reality.