Pele-Like Mbappe Strikes Send Messi, Argentina Crashing Out
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SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018 20 French revolution Pele-like Mbappe strikes send Messi, Argentina crashing out AFP | Russia by Marcos Rojo. Antoine Griez- he was played into the area, mann coolly converted the 13th were waved away. France had eenage star Kylian minute penalty. But Mbappe’s looked in control, but the stakes ly-struck Mbappe struck twice and PSG teammate Angel Di Maria changed dramatically minutes half-volley Tearned another goal as levelled with a 41st minute long- before the interval. with the out - France finally found their at- range stunner and the South Cristian Pavon, on the left side of his right tacking edge to beat Lionel Mes- Americans were back in what flank, found Di Maria unmarked boot that spun past si’s Argentina 4-3 and move into was proving a superb match. 25 yards out from goal and he Argentina ‘keeper the quarter-finals of the World Argentina took a 2-1 lead min- unleashed a thunderbolt that Franco Armani af - ter Cup yesterday. utes after the restart when Ga- flew past a diving Lloris and into Blaise Matuidi’s wayward cross Billed as Messi’s chance to briel Mercado clipped Messi’s the top right-hand corner. found the Stuttgart defender. reignite stuttering Argentina’s low curling shot past Hugo Llo- Di Maria, one of several Al- Despite a late consolation for hopes, the thrilling last 16 clash ris, but that was Messi’s only real biceleste players criticised for Argentinan when Sergio Ague- in Kazan instead saw 19-year- contribution in the match. underperfoming, made amends ro headed Messi’s superb long old Paris Saint-Germain star Defender Benjamin Pavard’s by setting up Argentina’s second. cross past Lloris in stoppage Mbappe grab the limelight as stunning half-volley levelled for He twisted and turned on time, Mbappe had already well he became the youngest player France on 57 minutes and as the left side of the area to win a and truly stolen the show. since Pele in 1958 to score two Argentina lost hope, Mbappe free kick, after Pavard’s tug, and When Matuidi’s shot was goals in a World Cup match. struck in the 64th and 68th min- when Banega’s free kick was blocked just after the hour, Embattled Argentina coach ute to seal France’s place in the cleared by Pogba it fell to Messi. Mbappe was on hand to restore Jorge Sampaoli had promised an last eight. His curled shot looked innoc- France’s lead with a low shot “aggressive, attacking” approach The last time France lost a uous, but Mercado stuck a foot past Armani. Four minutes lat- from his side. World Cup game after taking the out to wrong-footed Lloris. er the teenager ran on to Gir- But his fears over the superi- lead was in 1982, against Poland. Minutes later, Les Bleus were oud’s perfect pass on a coun - or speed of the French strikers Argentine had calls for first- level, Pavard matching Di Ma- ter to drive it low past Armani were quickly proven right when half penalties too when the ball ria’s effort with and spark celebrations on the Mbappe sprinted from his own skimmed Samuel Umtiti’s arm, a superb- French bench. half until he was hauled down then when Messi tumbled as France’s forward Kylian The goals Mbappe celebrates France 4 Argentina 3 Griezmann 13-pen Di María 41 Pavard 57 Mercado 48 Mbappe 64, 68 Aguero 90+3 Messi reacts during the match Man of the Match Kylian Mbappe What now for Messi and Sampaoli? his is an Argentina team Taround which there seem We answered the call, we had a lot of to have been so many major character. It was not easy because we issues, with rumours of dress- were leading then conceded but we kept fighting. ing room discontent, reports We couldn’t miss it and we didn’t miss it. Messi was calling the shots in team selection, and a sense DIDIER DESCHAMPS, FRANCE BOSS they were simply not getting the best from the five-time Bal- lon d’Or winner. During the nine minutes af- ter the Mercado goal that put I’m very happy and it’s flattering to be them ahead early in the second the second teenager [to score twice in a half, all was forgotten in the Argentina’s coach Jorge Sampaoli World Cup game] after Pele but let’s put things in stands packed with light-blue- and-white striped shirts. context: Pele is another category, but it’s good to But Mbappe’s brilliance - af- Copa America in 2016. be among these people. ter Pavard’s stunning equalis- After that third final defeat, KYLIAN MBAPPE, FRANCE FORWARD ing goal - brought them crash- Messi announced his retire- ing back to reality. ment, before changing his That reality is this could well mind a month later. Six days Mascherano calls time on career be the end for a generation that ago he turned 31. Following has failed to win a major title the final whistle here, all of Kazan, Russia pool and West Ham midfielder despite promising so much. the Argentina players lingered said. Mascherano made his inter- This last-16 exit follows long on the pitch, only leaving rgentina’s most-capped play- national debut in 2003 and went Diego Maradona was back in the stands to watch his beloved Argentina crash three consecutive defeats in after France had. Messi was Aer Javier Mascherano called on to appear 147 times for his out of the World Cup after being beaten 4-3 by France in a thrilling encounter major finals - the World Cup first down the tunnel, with his time on his international career. country. He played 334 times for in Kazan. The Argentine legend looked on in disbelief as Kylian Mbappe, in 2014, the Copa America in head bowed and the captain’s “It’s time to say goodbye,” the Barcelona before leaving for Chi- Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Pavard fired Les Bleus into the quarter 2015, and the special centenary armband in his hands. 34-year-old ex-Barcelona, Liver- na to join Herbei China Fortune. finals against a hap-hazard Argentinian team..