France vs Argentina LIVE World Cup 2018: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as Lionel Messi crashes out - latest reaction
Follow all the live coverage from the first knockout round of the World Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.After narrowly making it through to the knockout stage of the competition, a struggling Argentine side will now face its toughest opponent yet in the form of Didier Deschamp’s France.
The French failed to convince in their opening games but finished top of Group C regardless. The side have only conceded one goal this World Cup which came in the form of a Mile Jedniak penalty. France’s strong defensive efforts have served them well in the competition so far, though their failure to score against Denmark will have raised cause for concern.
Argentina, on the other hand, have endured a terrible opening to the World Cup and at point looked destined for a shock exit. However, a late Marcos Rojo goal clinched victory for the South Americans against Nigeria, booking their place in the last-16 for the fourth World Cup in a row.
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What time is it?
France vs Argentina kicks off at 15:00 at the Kazan Arena.
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage will be broadcast on BBC 1.
Odds
France: 11/8
Argentina: 12/5
Draw: 2/1
Prediction
If Argentina continue to struggle then this should be a fairly easy game for the French national side. France’s strong defensive play will allow their offence to focus on picking apart the weak Argentine backline.
Despite the array of talent up front for both sides, perhaps the most nervous in the dressing room right about now will be the defenders. It's knockout football, one mistake and you can be the villain of the game, you have the nations hopes in your hands.
For France, their centre back partnership of Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane may be inexperienced, but both defenders would be high on the shopping list of any club in the world. Their full backs Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are also young, and despite talented will face their biggest stage yet in their international careers.
For Argentina, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo will be familiar to Premier League fans for their performances for Manchester City and Manchester United respectively. We have seen their highs, and lows and they could be vulnerable against the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, and the physicality of Olivier Giroud.
The teams are on the pitch, and the national anthems are sang with typical gusto. In those line-ups there will be heroes and villains of the next 90+ minutes. Who will step up to the challenge and who will be on the next flight home?
Kick off coming up, get a cup of tea or something stronger and settle in for our first taste of knockout football in Russia...
3 mins: Not the best start for Paul Pogba...not yet five minutes in, and he's given the ball away twice, and given a free kick away in frustration.
Meanwhile, Argentina have a free kick as Lionel Messi is felled, for what is unlikely to be the last time in this game
5 mins: In the first clear attack from either side, Di Maria gets loose down the left but puts an over hit cross into the area which clears the pressure
8 mins: Some good work from Mbappe from midfield, and he's fouled by Mascherano on the edge of the penalty area, first set piece opportunity for France
9 mins: IT HITS THE CROSSBAR! Antoine Griezmann goes close with the free kick, his effort had Armani rooted to the pitch and beaten if his shot hadn't smashed the bar.
11 mins: PENALTY! Mbappe has answered his critics early on, no trickery or overplaying, just sheer pace and strength he flies forward once again and Rojo fouls him in the box
13 mins: GOAL! France 1-0 Argentina (Antoine Griezmann pen)
Griezmann stays cool from the spot as Armani commits to his side early, but all the credit must go to Mbappe with his brilliant run earning France the penalty
17 mins: Pre-match I spoke of the defenders and their nerves ahead of this one...and it's Marcus Rojo who we picked out as a potential weakness who goes from hero in the last game, to villain in this one for giving away the penalty with a rash challenge.
Now Argentina must come forward, and that will only play into the hands of the likes of Pogba, Griezmann and Mbappe on the break
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