France's new generation is dismantling Argentina

The outstanding Kylian Mbappé led France to the World Cup quarter-finals with high-speed football and ended Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi's title dreams in what was probably his last World Cup. The “Équipe tricolore” won 4-3 in a high-class and exciting game in Kazan on Saturday.

France dominates, Argentina scores happily Argentina was taken by surprise by the young French from the start. Antoine Griezmann (9th) hit the crossbar with a free kick. Shortly afterwards he confidently slotted home a penalty. Mbappé had previously run away from four Argentinians at high speed. Marcos Rojo – who scored the winning goal against Nigeria – could only pull the 19-year-old to the ground. The beginning of the Argentine end: Rojo fouls Mbappè – penalty. © APA/afp / BENJAMIN CREMEL

Argentina tried to find an answer. But the attempt at an orderly game structure was too harmless. Then Mbappé had the ball again and things immediately became dangerous again. This time Nicolas Tagliafico stopped him just outside the penalty area on his way to the goal. Red? Referee Alireza Faghani left it yellow. Paul Pogba chased the free kick over the goal.

France was safe at the back. More possession of the ball was of no use to Argentina. Messi was basically taken out of the game. Argentina was only able to get back into the game through an individual action. Di Maria was the right man for that. He equalized with an artificial shot from 28 meters - his first goal for the Albiceleste in a year. Messi and Mercado celebrate their co-production for the interim 2-1 lead. © APA/afp / JEWEL SAMAD

For France it was the first goal conceded at a World Cup against a team from South America after 798 minutes - and one with impact. Even after the break, Argentina suddenly seemed fresher mentally. Pavard became a double unlucky man. First he fouled di Maria. After the following free kick, he canceled the offside, so that Messi's shot, deflected by Mercado, went into the goal in accordance with the rules. Pavard scores a dream goal France seemed at a loss - and Pavard, of all people, made everything right again. With a dream shot, the VfB professional twisted the ball into the goal to equalize. The game practically restarted after almost an hour - for a full seven minutes. Then Mbappé asserted himself with force in the penalty area. Franco Armani in the Argentine goal couldn't get to the ground quickly enough, France was back in front and Messi was now more in demand than ever.

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But the superstar achieved little more. France tried to extend the result over time, but Argentina came close again. Substitute Sergio Aguero reduced the score to 93:4 in the 3rd minute - the end of a hectic final phase in which Nicolas Otamendi should have seen red after an attack.

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France's new generation is dismantling Argentina

France reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup thanks to a 4-3 win over Argentina. The young French guard around Kylian Mbappè and Benjamin Pavard played a significant role in this.

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