The first round of 16 game in the World Cup took place in Tatarstan on the last day of June.

The hosts were looking to outperform a pretty poor Argentina at the Kazan Arena despite having narrow victories themselves.

From the start, France looked the stronger side with their youthful players outpacing the experience of the visitors.

Kylian Mbappe was making the runs in from the right flank while Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba provided support in the middle.

Les Bleus’ first solid attempt on goal came from a set piece just outside of the Argentine box.

With Pogba and Griezmann stepping up, the Atletico Madrid forward decided to take the shot which clipped the crossbar as the away fans looked in relief.

PSG Loanee Mbappe looked like an engine on the field outrunning the away defence to go on goal.

In the 11th minute, France were awarded a penalty as the wonder kid was fouled inside the box by Marcus Rojo.

Griezmann took the penalty and gave France the lead early on in the game.

Mbappe didn’t stop right up until his substitution as he was looking to increase his team’s lead.

Argentina got a shock equaliser in the closing minutes of the first half as Angel Di Maria had an attempt on goal almost 30 yards out!

It was truly one of the goals of the tournament.

The half ended level as both sides looked to progress to the quarter finals.

In the second half it looked like heartache was going to be the result for the home side as Argentina broke the lock in the 48th minute.

Lionel Messi quickly turned in the French box and had a crack on goal.

The ball deflected in from Gabriel Mercado as La Albiceleste took the lead.

With Diego Maradona celebrating in the stands, France were not going to give up as full back Lucas Hernandez bolstered the attack for Les Bleus.

From the left flank, he crossed the ball into the Argentine box to meet Benjamin Pavard on the half volley.

From 25-yards out at a tight angle, the 22-year-old smashed the ball in for another goal of the tournament contender.

Hernandez assisted with another cross in six minutes later as Mbappe scored from close range after a small squabble.

With the scoreline at 3-2, it looked like France were definitely winning the match.

To insure that they actually did, Mbappe got his double in the 68th minute after Giroud provided the ball.

This 19-year-old is by far the best centre forward in the tournament.

Argentina managed to get one more goal in the 92nd minute from an Aguero header in stoppage time but that wasn’t enough.

This is possible Messi’s last world cup appearance with the Argentine.

The world’s best simply hasn’t been able to win a world cup medal.

France go through strong into the next round of the World Cup.

 

Source of Image: @FIFAWorldCup (Twitter)

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