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.
It's all to play for in the second half, with half a dozen players able to provide a moment of magic that could change the game in a flash
Special thanks to Domino’s who are keeping the World Cup spirit alive with their new limited-edition Meatfielder pizza.
SECOND HALF: Argentina get us back underway
Sub: Marcos Rojo withdrawn, and he's replaced by Federico Fazio
47 mins: Di Maria has to be one of the most frustrating players in world football. After a quiet first half and leaving Pavard to fly forward, this time he takes him on and earns a free kick. Argentinian fans will be wondering why he can't do that consistently.
48 mins: GOAL! France 1-2 Argentina (Gabriel Mercado)
Messi tries a tame shot following a corner, which takes a cruel deflection off of Mercado and flies into the net, wrong-footing Lloris
50 mins: Mbappe hauled to the floor, before being tackled late by Banega, he picks up a yellow and will miss the quarter final (if they make it). The free kick routine fails and Argentina can clear. Wow don't take your eyes off this one it's non-stop action!
54 mins: Otamendi did well to head away a French free kick, before Di Maria is fouled by Griezmann. Now Matuidi fouls Perez, but Pavon can't get his cross into the box from the free kick.
For all their early dominance, France are behind, and Argentina are taking plenty of confidence from that
57 mins: GOAL! France 2-2 Argentina (Benjamin Pavard)
What. A. Goal. Pavard with his first international goal, will struggle to ever hit one better than that. The Stuttgart defender has struck a beautiful volley from the edge of the area, first-time from a Hernandez cross. Wow.
64 mins: GOAL! France 3-2 Argentina (Kylian Mbappe)
A brilliant cross from Hernandez down the left, Mbappe collects the rebound, takes a touch fires into Armani, who lets the shot go through him. Must. Do. Better.
But Kylian Mbappe is doing no harm to his reputation here. 19 years old.
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