Mitch Freeley

You can watch all the action of France Vs Argentina via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

Match Report

Kylian Mbappe upstaged Lionel Messi as France recorded a 4-3 win over Argentina in a topsy-turvy last-16 clash to open the knockout stages at the World Cup.

Teenager Mbappe was in devastating form in the heavyweight clash, scoring two second-half goals to bring Argentina's Russia 2018 campaign to an end in Kazan.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward's surging 70-yard burst also led to the opening goal after 13 minutes, Antoine Griezmann slotting home from the penalty spot after Mbappe had been hauled down by Marcos Rojo in the area.

Yet Argentina turned the game around, Angel Di Maria's stunning long-range strike before the break followed by Gabriel Mercado's fortuitous effort early in the second half.

However, Benjamin Pavard scored a stunning equaliser in the 57th minute before Mbappe took centre stage with a quick-fire brace, securing Didier Deschamps' side a place in the quarter-finals, where they will play either Uruguay or Portugal.

Messi – whose international future will be a burning question in the aftermath of the defeat - did set up a late header for Sergio Aguero but it was not enough to save Argentina, with the beaten finalists from 2014 slipping out of this year’s tournament.

France, who made six changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Denmark last time out, were almost ahead after nine minutes, but Griezmann's wonderful 25-yard free-kick crashed back off Franco Armani's crossbar.

The Atletico Madrid striker did not have to wait long to open the scoring, though - largely thanks to the scintillating pace of Mbappe.

After picking the ball up 10 yards outside his own area, he set off on a sparkling run that was only halted when Rojo clumsily hauled him down just inside the area.

Griezmann stepped up and coolly converted from the spot, sending the ball low to Armani's right for his second goal - both penalties - at the tournament.

The South Americans had scarcely offered anything in the way of attacking threat during a tepid first half, yet drew level four minutes before the interval thanks to a moment of magic from Di Maria.

There looked to be little danger when he was fed the ball 30 yards out, but Di Maria unleashed a superb left-footed strike that flew beyond Hugo Lloris.

Argentina were a team reborn at the start of the second period and were duly rewarded with a second three minutes after the restart.

Ever Banega's free-kick was headed out towards Messi and the Barcelona star's whipped effort towards goal was inadvertently diverted past a helpless Lloris by the foot of Mercado.

That lead last just nine minutes as France pulled level with a goal of the highest quality.

Lucas Hernandez's cross from the left found his full-back partner Pavard, who sliced across his half-volley from outside the area, sending it into Armani's top-right corner.

Mbappe put France ahead again in the 64th minute when he picked up a loose ball in the area, found a yard of space and fired in low past Armani, who was slow getting down. His second – a first-time finish from Olivier Giroud’s pass - came just four minutes later, finally putting clear daylight between the teams.

Aguero set up a tense finale when he headed in from close range in the third minute of stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent Argentina - and Messi - from crashing out.

Live Updates

Second Half!

90- Peep! Game over, Argentina fight back! But France hold on to make the quarter-finals! with a 4-3 win! Match report to follow! 

90+4 Otomendi misses a golden chance! His effort flies over the bar! 

90+4 handbags as Pogba is hit with the ball. Yellow cards for Giroud & Otomendi

90+3 Goal! Aguero with a header! 4-3. They Couldn't, could they? 

90+1 Allez Les Bleus rings out of the Kazan Arena. 

90- Four minutes of extra time. In a game that has been devoid of any VAR antics... 

89- Angel Di Maria with a cross come shot, Umtiti clears, corner is wasted, as Di Maria is flagged for offside!

87- Florant Thauvan is coming on he's replacing Mbappé. What a game from the 19-year old! One of the best individual preformances of the World Cup in my humble opinion! 

86- Dangerous free-kick for Argentina. Di Maria can't beat the first man! 

84- Messi on the run! He's though on goal! His tame shot is picked by Loris. Leo pushes his face into the turf. 

82- Griezmann is subbed off to cheers from the French fans, Nabil Fekir is on in his stead. Side note Mascherano smashes into Griezmann no second yellow 

81- If Argentina are to turn this around they need a goal and fast. They look completely devoid of ideas going forward. This is a big ask for Messi & Co

79- Meza cracks a shot towards goal, it rebounds off Pavard, but Loris is equal to it and clutches the ball tightly. 

78-What a performance from  Mbappé. It's a coming of age moment for the teenager on the biggest stage of them all. 

75- Subs AHOY! France- Tolisso is on for Matuidi Argentina- Meza is on for Pavon.

74- In the madness, Matuidi gets a yellow. He'll miss the next game is Les bleus progress. 

72- Kante on the breakaway with a perfect ball for Mbappé somehow he fluffs the shot... he is human... 

70- France is cutting Argentina to ribbons at the back! Giroud's shot hits the side netting! 

68-Goal! Ladies and gentleman! Mr Kylian Mbappe! What a finish from the teenager! Giroud lays the ball to the right wing and Mbappe arrows his shot into the bottom corner! 4-2!

66-Apart from the goal, Argentina haven't created much in this half. Otomendi smashes a ball aimlessly wide. 

63- GOAL! France go ahead! 3-2! Wow! Mbappé with a goal all of his own making! The ball bobbles in the box, a turn of pace and the PSG teenager smashes the ball towards goal. Armani should have done much better, but still! 3-2! 

60- Mercarto upends Umtiti. France get the ball rolling. 

56- Goal! It's a screamer from Pavard! He's made up for giving the free-kick away for Argentina's second! Oh! It's a delicious finsih! 2-2! We go again! 

55- Complete miss communication between Armani & Fazio almost let Griezmann in. Thankfully its dealt with! 

52-Pérez slams into Kanté. The tackles are flying in! Mbappé's freekick is wasted! 

51- Pogba tries to clip a ball up to Griezmann, it's just a little long. 

50- What a turn around! Kazan is rocking! 

47- GOAL! Mercado! The freekick drifts to the back post and falls to Messi, his shot rebounds of the defender who is just on side! 2-1 Argentina! 

46- Di Maria skins Pavard, who pulls the PSG man down. A dangerous free-kick from the left is incoming... 

Peep! We are back underway in Kazan! 

First Half

45+2- Peep! Well that's interesting! France took the lead from the penalty spot, and looked the better side! Di Maria scores a screamer five minutes from the break. 1-1 all level. I'm off for a tea. See you in 15! 

45- Two minutes of extra time.

44- After being absolutely useless for most of the second half, Argentina are back in it! Football, my goodness! 

40- GOAL! Di Maria! You Beauty! The ball comes to  Di Maria from outside the box, he shapes to shoot, straight into the top corner! Lovely! 1-1! Maradona looks pleased! 

38- Pavard gets forward for France, he smashes a cross which just misses Giroud. 

36- Messi drops deep. A smart give and go, and he's in the box. Griezmann tracks the run and nips in with the tackle. Messi ends up on the floor and the fans call for a penalty. No way, it's waved on. 

33- Argentina needs a presence up front in my humble opinion. They are lacking a cutting edge, Messi is dropping deep and getting frustrated time and time again. 

31- Argentina is seeing plenty of the ball. Messi has been quiet in the first 30 minutes. Still plenty of time for the number 10 to weave his magic. 

28-Jorge Sampaoli paces up and down the touchline in a nice tight t-shirt. Will he even be making the team-talk at the break?

27- First Chance of note for Argentina?! Mercado manages a shot from inside the box, it creeps just wide. 

25- Griezmann scampers to the byline in the box. It's a dangerous chance. Armani gathers the drilled cross. 

23- Mascherano picks out Enzo Perez, it looks offside at first but its not flagged. Loris is quick off his line to gather the ball! 

22-Corner for Argentina. Banega with a deep cross. Pogba nods it away. 

20- After a seemingly endless wait. Pogba winds up and smashes the ball over the bar. Gah! 

18- Argentina cannot live with the pace of  Mbappé at the minute. Another breakaway, the PSG man is taken down just outside the box by Tagliafico. Yellow card for the Ajax defender. Pogba & Griezmann stand over it again. 

15-Argentina are seeing more of the ball. No chances created yet.. Pavard concedes a corner. This could be dangerous. 

12- Goal! Griezmann rolls it past Armani! A lovely penalty. Que the Fortnight inspired celebrations! 1-0 France!

10- Penalty for France! Mbappé turns on the afterburners and breezes past three players. Rojo comes in and knocks the player down in the box! The referee points to the spot! Griezmann to take it.. 

8- Griezmann shapes to shoot! BONK! His shot thuds against the crossbar! What an effort.

7-Mascherano with a reducer on Mbappé. That should have been a yellow. Dangerous free-kick upcoming for France. Griezmann and Pogba are over it. 

5- Argentina is seeing plenty of the ball in the early exchanges. The atmosphere in Kazan seems pretty lively. I'm sure it will settle soon... 

3- Matuidi smashes into Leo Messi. Free kick for Argentina. It's cleared by France. 

1-Mascherano slides in to steal the ball away from Mbappé. A frantic start to the game... 

Peep! France get us underway! 

Preamble

Hello... 

The teams are out! Kazan is looking magnificent in the sunshine! National anthems and then it's football time! 

Ten minutes till K.O in Kazan! Why not enjoy a nice, neat hit of news before the big game. A little preview for the late game, Uruguay Vs Portugal in Sochi! 

#WorldCup News

👉 Fernando Santos wants #POR to support @Cristiano

👉 @LuisSuarez9 looks forward to @officialpepe clash

👉 Injury news from #ENG camp#beINRussia #beINFWC pic.twitter.com/sCUa9JBQeI — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 30, 2018

Hello! The first of our predictions is in! Young Oliver is going for a France win on penalties. Whilst he's expecting some shenanigans from Maradona. Sold predicting that. Extra bonus points if the Maradona stuff comes off, which it almost certainly will! 

1-1 at full time. France through on Pens. El Diego to cause a scene afterwards. — 🐈 O.P. 🐕 (@baldtrev) June 30, 2018

Diego Maradona watch... Nothing yet from El Diego in Kazan. It's safe to say he enjoyed the 2-1 win over Nigeria. I hope for his sake he dosnt get too excited today. 

Tactics your vibe? Well, this might be of interest to you. France lining up in a 4-2-3-1, while  Argentina going with 4-3-3. The key battle is going to be in midfield for me. 

#FRAARG // FORMATIONS

Thoughts on these teams? pic.twitter.com/zrwPqShAj0 — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 30, 2018

Our man on the scene Matt Spiro has chatted with former Chelsea player Florent Malouda. He thinks that confidence is going to be vital for both sides. 

.@mattspiro asks @realflorentm for his pre-match thoughts at the Kazan Arena!#beINRussia #beINFWC #FRAARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/L50ipeaVVS — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 30, 2018

Team news is in! For France, Changes ahoy after their B team drew 0-0 with Denmark. Loris, Pavard, Umtiti return in defence. Midfielders Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi return into midfield, Kylian Mbappe also returns. As for Argentina one change from the side that defeated Nigeria 2-1. Cristian Pavon replaces Gonzalo Higuain, with Messi central in a front three. Sergio Aguero is also on the bench. 

Andy Gray & @SULLIVANFUTBOL run us through the #FRAARG starting lineups 👇#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ku1LMYSR0g — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 30, 2018

Round of sixteen time! We have an absolute belter to start! France Vs Argentina in KAZAN! Who will prevail? Les Bleus or La Albiceleste? We should find out in the next few hours! Join me for all the updates, team news and LIVE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS of the big match. Strap yourself in, it's going to be a wild ride! 

Preview

France and Argentina face off in Kazan with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Both countries have failed to hit their stride in the competition so far, and will both need to improve drastically if they are to come away with the World Cup. You can watch all the action via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

France rang in the changes against Denmark, to secure the point they needed to top the group in a drab 0-0 draw. Les Bleus young side may have secured their place with a game to spare, however, Didier Deschamps has yet to get a real tune from the attacking talents at his disposal. 

Paul Pogba’s role in central midfield is going to be crucial if France is to make it to the last eight. The Manchester United man is likely to be playing as a deep-lying playmaker, trying to disrupt the tempo of Éver Banega & Javier Mascherano. 

France Predicted Team
Lloris, Sidibe, Umtiti, Varane, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud

How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 17:00
Stadium- Kazan Arena, Kazan

Argentina has Marcos Rojo to thank for sealing their progression to the round of sixteen. The Manchester United defender came up with a priceless strike four minutes from time to give La Albiceleste a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. 

Amid accusations of a player revolt, and a falling out with the manager Jorge Sampaoli, the side came together to get the result. Now they must improve again if they are to have any hope of progressing and lifting a third World Cup. 

Leo Messi showed up for Argentina with a stunning opener against Nigeria, and the Argentina captain will have to lead by example in Kazan. The French backline has only conceded once in the tournament, but a moment of magic from the diminutive attacker could change all that. Messi will have to produce one of these moments if Argentina is to make it to the quarter-finals and beyond. 

Argentina Predicted Team
Armani, Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico, Perez, Mascherano, Banega, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain

It promises to be a fascinating encounter as France and Argentina face off for a place in the quarterfinals.  Watch the Live & Exclusive stream of the game on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.