Teenager Kylian Mbappe overshadowed Lionel Messi, scoring a sublime brace as France reached the World Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina in Kazan.
While the whole world was expecting Messi to weave his magic in possibly his last World Cup, it was Mbappe who stole all the limelight. The Paris Saint-Germain teenager won a 13th-minute penalty for Antoine Griezmann with a storming 75-yard run before scoring two goals in five minutes (64, 68) after the break as Didier Deschamps’ side overcame the setback of going behind to claim a stunning victory.
After falling behind, Argentina equalised through a 30-yard Angel di Maria strike just before the break. Three minutes after the break, a fortuitous flick from Gabriel Mercado fired them ahead. However, they ultimately paid the price for yet another unconvincing display.
Benjamin Pavard scored the equaliser for France with a stunning strike in the 57th minute before Mbappe’s brace all but put the game to the bed. Substitute Sergio Aguero threatened a late twist with an injury-time header but France held on to advance to the next round.
France will not take on the winner of the Portugal – Uruguay game.
The game had a lively start. Messi won a free-kick chance just three minutes in but it came to nothing. France then nearly took the lead in the eighth minute when Antoine Griezmann curled a free-kick effort against the crossbar. 4 minutes later, the Les Bleus went ahead when Griezmann scored from the spot. The 1998 winners got the opportunity from Mbappe’s explosive run. He started near the edge of his own area, rounding Marcos Rojo with one final, fearless touch before being pushed to the ground.
France continued to impress but Argentina somehow managed to remain in the game. The perseverance paid off as Di Maria struck a beautiful long-ranger to equalise.
Three minutes into the second half, Argentina took the lead with a slice of luck. Messi’s shot found the back of the net after being deflected off Mercado’s stretched left boot.
France, however, were not ready to throw in the towel and equalised soon. Lucas Hernandez whipped in a ball that Pavard struck on the half-volley, generating spin and slice that gave Franco Armani no chance. Mbappe then struck twice to all but seal Argentina’s fate. Aguero scored one in the injury time but it turned out to be a mere consolation for a side which proved no match for France.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to react to the game. Here are some of the reactions:
Kylian Mbappe is the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen scored one in 2 separate games in 1998. Mbappe wasn’t born then. He’s also the first teenager to score 2 in a match since Pele v Sweden in the final of 1958. ?
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
Born six months after France won the 1998 World Cup, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe #FRA became the only the second teenager to score two goals in a World Cup match #FRAARG after Brazil’s Pele (then 17) in 1958 against Sweden.#ARGFRA#WorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2018
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 30, 2018
What were you doing at 19?????? Take a bow Kylian Mbappe.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/TroluKejri/status/1013120662586773504
Beginning of a new era#WorldCup #Mbappe #Messi #FRAARG pic.twitter.com/pUsbry7LEp
— KeepHopeAlive (@OskidoIBelieve) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/footballbus4/status/1013124270778736643
Comparing other young talents to Mbappe is an insult to him. He's gone so far ahead it's not even funny anymore.
— H Z (@HakimZ10i) June 30, 2018
Messi is the first player in World Cup history to be a false nine and a false coach in the same game.
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
He won’t give a monkey’s at the moment but Messi is the only player to have delivered an assist in the last 4 World Cups.
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
That 'Messi and Ronaldo will meet at the airport' joke might come true.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 30, 2018
Messi and Ronaldo getting knocked out of the World Cup on the same day would be funny, imagine both sets of fan boys/girls simultanously combust on Twitter tonight
— Iman | ايمان (@nana_alaouie) June 30, 2018
Debate settled. Joginder Sharma > Messi in #WorldCup
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 ? (@RoflGandhi_) June 30, 2018
If the Packers lose a game 48-45, do you blame Aaron Rodgers?
Messi had 2 assists. Stand down critics.— Mark Willard (@Mark_T_Willard) June 30, 2018