Kylian Mbappe earned a penalty and scored two goals as France defeated Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling 2018 World Cup last 16 clash at the Kazan Arena on Saturday.
A three-goal salvo in the space of 11 second-half minutes saw ‘Les Bleus’ come from behind to defeat the ‘Albiceleste’ and become the first team to ink their name in the quarterfinal line-up.
France dominated the early stages and nearly claimed the lead in the ninth minute as Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar with a shot direct from a free kick.
Yet the French forward scored from a penalty four minutes late to put his team 1-0 up. The spot kick was awarded after Marcos Rojo had to resort to pulling down Kylian Mbappe to halt his powerful run.
The speedy teenager was a constant menace to Argentina’s defence, and Nicolas Tagliafico almost gave away another penalty for a foul on Mbappe – luckily for the ‘Albiceleste’ left-back the infringement was just outside the 18-yard area.
Yet while ‘Les Bleus’ always looked threatening in attack, Argentina gradually gained a foothold in the game and they were rewarded for their determination in the 41st minute, as Angel Di Maria scored from a fearsome long-range hit to make it 1-1.
The South Americans completed the turnaround three minutes into the second half. A free kick was only half-cleared and found its way to Lionel Messi on the edge of the box, he in turn sent a low shot toward goal, but teammate Gabriel Mercado redirected it enough to wrong-foot goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and put Argentina 2-1 up.
France nearly restored parity in the 55th minute when a mix-up at the back from Argentina almost let Griezmann in, but shortly thereafter a magnificent strike from right-back Benjamin Pavard – who struck a swerving volley into the top corner – made it 2-2.
This roller-coaster game took another twist in the 64th minute, as Mbappe picked up a loose ball in the Argentina penalty area and fired a low effort through the legs of goalkeeper Franco Armani to make it 3-2 in favour of ‘Les Bleus’.
Four minutes later France put together a superb attacking move which ended with Olivier Giroud’s deft ball putting Mbappe in on goal, and the 19-year-old coolly passed home a low shot to make it 4-2 and knock the stuffing out of the South Americans.
Argentina pulled a goal back deep in injury time when Sergio Aguero headed home from Messi’s cross, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
France saw out the remainder of the game to claim victory and book a place in the first quarterfinal match next Friday at Nizhny Novgorod against either Portugal or Uruguay.
France (1) 4 (Girezmann pen 13’, Pavard 57’, Mbappe 64’ 68’)
Argentina (1) 3 (Di Maria 41’, Mercado 48’, Auguero 90+3’)
France: Lloris, Pavard, Umtiti, Varane, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Matuidi (Tolisso 75’), Mbappe (Thauvin 89'), Giroud, Griezmann (Fekir 83’)
Argentina: Armani, Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo (Fazio 46’), Tagliafico, Perez (Aguero 66’), Mascherano, Banega, Pavon (Meza 75’), Messi, Di Maria
MATCH | VENUE | REFEREE |
LAST 16 | KAZAN ARENA |
FRANCE GOALS | ARGENTINA GOALS | ||
7. Antoine Griezmann (13') | 11. Angel di Maria (41') | ||
2. Benjamin Pavard (57') | 2. Gabriel Mercado (48') | ||
10. Kylian Mbappé (64') | 19. Sergio Agüero (90 + 3') | ||
10. Kylian Mbappé (68') | |||
CAUTIONS | DISMISSALS | CAUTIONS | DISMISSALS |
3 | 5 | ||
FRANCE STARTING LINEUP | ARGENTINA STARTING LINEUP | ||
SUBSTITUTIONS | |||
![]() Corentin Tolisso
Midfielder
75'
![]() 12
|
![]() Federico Fazio
Defender
46'
![]() 6
|
||
![]() Nabil Fekir
Midfielder
83'
![]() 18
|
![]() Sergio Agüero
Forward/Striker
66'
![]() 19
|
||
![]() Florian Thauvin
Forward/Striker
89'
![]() 20
|
![]() Maximiliano Meza
Midfielder
75'
![]() 13
|
||
CARDS | |||
![]() Blaise Matuidi
Midfielder
72'
![]() 14
|
![]() Marcos Rojo
Defender
11'
![]() 16
|
||
![]() Benjamin Pavard
Defender
73'
![]() 2
|
![]() Nicolás Tagliafico
Defender
19'
![]() 3
|
||
![]() Olivier Giroud
Forward/Striker
90 + 3'
![]() 9
|
![]() Javier Mascherano
Midfielder
43'
![]() 14
|
||
KEY |
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