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Mbappe double for France ends Argentina's cup

FRANCE 4 (Griezmann 13′ pen, Pavard 57′, Kylian Mbappe 64′, 68′)
ARGENTINA 3 (Di Maria 41′, Mercado 48′, Aguero 90 +2)
By Emma McColl


The 19-year-old France forward Kylian Mbappe led France to a thrilling 4-3 win against Argentina in the first knockout round to end another World Cup in disappointment for Lionel Messi.
Mbappe became the first teenager to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament since 1998 and the first to score twice in a World Cup game since 1958.
The opening game of the knockout stages for the World Cup showcased the first meeting of two legitimate contenders.
Two teams that had yet to play to the best of their ability in this tournament showcased a game that pretty much had everything and a lead that changed three times.
France kicked things off in the 13th minute via a penalty shot taken by Griezmann, bringing France to a 1-0 lead.
Despite behind Argentina, was creating more chances and were rewarded for their dominance just before half-time when Angel Di Maria whipped a curling left-foot shot from 10 metres outside the penalty area beyond the reach of France keeper Hugo Lloris and into the top right corner.
Early in the second half, Argentina struck again when Gabriel Mercado threw out a boot at a shot from Messi on the edge of the area and the deflection completely wrong-footed Lloris and ran into the net.
France equalised in the 57th minute via a strong run down the left and the cross found Benjamin Pavard whose volley from the edge of the penalty area arrowed in to the top left corner of the net.
It was Mbappe’s time to again leave his mark on the match when he secured France a 3-2 lead in the 64th minute and a 4-2 lead in the 68th minute.
In the last remaining moments of the game, Aguero secured one last goal for Argentina.
France had four shots on target and scored from all of them which was a dramatic improvement from their three goals from 12 shots on target in the group stage.
From here, France will play in the quarter-final against Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod .
Argentina is now out of the World Cup , also saying goodbye to Lionel Messi who departs this stage for what is almost certainly the final time.

Match Statistics

Possession:
France: 41%
Argentina: 59%
Goal Attempts:
France: 4 (4 on target)
Argentina: 4 (6 on target)
Corners:
France: 0
Argentina: 4
Fouls:
France: 21
Argentina: 15

Team Line-ups

FRANCE: 1 Lloris, 2 Pavard, 4 Varane, 5 Umtiti, 21 Lucas, 13 Kante, 6 Pogba, 10 Mbappe, 7 Griezmann, 14 Matuidi, 9 Giroud
Substitutes: 16 Mandanda, 3 Kimpembe, 8 Lemar, 11 Dembele, 12 Tolisso (s 75’), 15 Nzonzi, 17 Rami, 18 Fekir (s 83’), 19 Sidibe, 20 Thauvin (s 88’), 22 Mendy, 23 Areola
ARGENTINA: 12 Armani, 2 Mercado, 17 Otamendi, 16 Rojo, 3 Tagliafico, 15 Perez, 14 Mascherano, 7 Banega, 22 Pavon, 10 Messi, 11 Di Maria
Substitutes: 1 Guzman, 4 Ansaldi, 5 Biglia, 6 Fazio (s 46’), 8 Acuna, 9 Higuain, 13 Meza (s 75’), 18 Salvio, 19 Aguero (s 66’), 20 Lo Celso, 21 Dybala, 23 Caballero

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