Argentina is done at the 2018 World Cup, and France is moving on. The Europeans earned their first ever victory over the South Americans at a World Cup, beating Lionel Messi and company 4-3 after trailing 2-1 early in the second half. Against a weak Argentina defense, France used its speed and fine finishing for their best attacking display at the cup, knocking out the two-time champs with ease.
Though Argentina took a 2-1 lead in the second half, it wasn't going to be enough with an error-prone defense, as Didier Deschamps' team scored three quick goals to put it away. Kylian Mbappe stole the show with two goals while also winning a penalty kick.
It all started on 13 minutes from the penalty kick Mbappe won, and Antoine Griezmann finished:
Griezmann puts France ahead!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
Mbappé draws a penalty for Les Bleus and Griezmann puts it away to make it 1-0. pic.twitter.com/pzj63fhQi0
But Argentina responded just before the break with a great goal from Angel Di Maria:
ANGEL DI MARIA! 😱😱😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
The Argentinian unleashes a rocket from outside of the box to pull them level just before the half. pic.twitter.com/pWbSsYR1eN
Gabriel Mercado then finished a shot from Messi to take a surprising 2-1 lead
Argentina take the lead! 🇦🇷
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
Messi's shot gets redirected into the back of the net by Mercado to make it 2-1 just minutes into the second half. pic.twitter.com/5jpBjCbdmy
Then it all went downhill from there for Argentina. First Benjamin Pavard scored one of the goals of the tournament with this golazo nine minutes later:
Pavard to Di Maria: Anything you can do I can do better! 🚀😱 pic.twitter.com/ugnBrIyp0i
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
Then seven minutes after that, Mbappe got his first with a nice little finish:
Mbappé puts France ahead!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
He collects the loose ball in the box and fires it home to make it 3-2 for Les Bleus. pic.twitter.com/gCdhCD5C0e
And four minutes later on the counter, he put it away:
Mbappé AGAIN!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2018
The 19-year-old gets his second of the game to put France up 4-2. pic.twitter.com/1mY2fN2MBc
And that ends Messi and Argentina's World Cup in a painful way, by getting destroyed in defense and making mistakes. The win moves France into the quarterfinals, where they'll face either Portugal or Uruguay.
Relive Argentina vs. France match commentary
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