Argentina is done with respect at the 2018 World Cup, and France is moving on. The Europeans earned their first ever victory over the South Americans at a event like the World Cup, beating Lionel Messi and his company 4-3 after trailing 2-1 early in the second half. Against a weak and the oldest squad in the world cup France used its speed and fine finishing for their best attacking display at the cup to the Argentine’s defense, knocking the two-time champs.
Javier Mascherano has officially announced his retirement from international football. “It’s time to say goodbye”, said the 32 years old ex Barcelona star following Argentina’s 4-3 defeat to France.
Mascherano made his international debut for La Albiceleste in 2003 and played 146 games in under 15 years. Making him the highest appearance in the Argentine squad. He said “We gave everything until the end but it wasn’t enough for them to win the match”.
Though Argentina took a 2-1 lead in the second half, it wasn’t going to be enough with an weak defense, as the French team scored three quick goals one by one to put it away. Kylian Mbappe stole the show with two great goals while also winning a penalty kick on the 13 minutes and Antoine Griezmann scored.
But the Argentine responded with a screamer just before the break with a great goal outside the box from Angel Di Maria.
The Argentinian unleashes a rocket from outside of the box to pull them level just before the half. Gabriel Mercado then finished with an un-intentional touch to a shot from Messi to take a surprising 2-1 lead just minutes into the second half.
Then it all went downhill for the Argentine squad. First another screamer from Benjamin Pavard outside the box which nobody expected from a defender who just turned into a midfielder just before this World Cup. Pavard to Di Maria: Anything you can do I can do better!!!
Then seven minutes after that, Mbappe got his first with a nice little finish. He collects the loose ball in the box and fires it into the net to make it 3-2 for . And four minutes later on the counter, the 19-year-old gets his second of the game to put France up 4-2.
And that ends Argentina’s World Cup in a peaceful way, by getting destroyed in defense and making mistakes. The win moves France into the quarterfinals, where they’ll face either Portugal or Uruguay in the next stage of the knock out.
