Match Review (RO16): France v. Argentina

France v Argentina
Score: 4-3
Goals: Griezmann 13' (p), Di Maria 41', Mercado 48', Pavard 57', Mbappe 64' 68', Aguero 90+3'
Possession: 41-59
Shots: 9-9
Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe (2G)

In an instant 7 goal World Cup classic, France sent Argentina and Lionel Messi packing in Kazan. The match started off with France on the front foot. From the start teenager, Kylian Mbappe was causing trouble for the Argentina defense. He was able to win a free kick and set up Griezmann for a strike about 25 yards out. Griezmann stepped up and hit the ball cleanly as it went over the wall with ease. Unfortunately, it clanged off the bar and Argentina escaped still at 0-0. But that scoreline changed just moments later when Mbappe was played the ball on the counter-attack still in his own half. He took off and blazed past every Argentine defender in his way. Then right when he got in the box, Man United defender, Marcos Rojo dived in immaturely gave away a penalty. Griezmann stepped up and rolled it in sending Armani the wrong way. The match continued with Mbappe continuing to be a menace on the counter, but Argentina seemed to just about be dealing with the France attacks. Though the defense looked extremely shaky, it was doing its job and kept Argentina in the match. They waited for their moment and then right on the stroke of half-time Di Maria was played the ball about 30 or so yards out. Di Maria hit it with his magical left foot and made such crisp contact which sent the ball flying towards the far post. The outstretched arm of Hugo Lloris couldn't reach it, and Argentina pulled level.  This sent the match into halftime all square at 1-1. The second half started, and Argentina were able to take the lead just three minutes into the half. A free-kick was swung into the box by Pavon and was headed clear but only as far as Messi. Messi picked it up and got it on his left foot. His strike though was fairly tame but full-back Mercado was able to get a boot on it and wrong-foot the keeper and make it 2-1. The match continued on, and just about ten minutes later France equalized after some good sustained pressure. A cross was smashed into the box by Lucas Hernandez who was able to get towards the byline. But his cross was cleared but only as far as fullback Pavard. Pavard put his laces through the ball and struck the ball just about as perfect as you can strike a football. It sailed right into the top corner and left Armani absolutely no chance. It was an absolute wonder goal and seemed to demoralize Argentina who went on to collapse. France took the lead just minutes later when Mbappe started putting his mark on the scoresheet. There was a skirmish in the box from a corner, and the ball found Mbappe. All off a sudden Mbappe skipped past two defenders in a crowded box and had a low shot towards the net. Unfortunately, Armani couldn't get down low to his left to make the save and France took the lead. Then the teen superstar got his second on a devastating counter-attack. Argentina were pushed forward, but France were able to win it back and were immediately on the counter. Matuidi picked the ball up in midfield and played it forward to Giroud. The Chelsea man held the ball up and waited for the run of Mbappe to his right. He played a perfectly weighted ball and Mbappe hit it past Armani for his second of the match and Argentina's fourth. Argentina brought on multiple changes including Aguero and Reza, but they weren't able to do anything until it was too little too late. Messi produced a moment of magic when he picked out Aguero's head from about 35 yards out and got a goal back in the 93' minute. Unfortunately the referee's whistle blew and sent Argentina home and sent France onto play Uruguay in the quarters.