France v/s Argentina was one of the most important matches in FIFA World Cup 2018.
The World Cup 2018 Round of 16 match between France and Argentina was one of those matches that people will talk about for years to come. It would be remembered not only for the quality of the match (which was excellent) and some stunning goals but also as the moment of the rise of a new superstar and the fall of a great one.
Lionel Messi was left crying for the second World Cup in succession as Argentina went down to France in an epic encounter. Messi is unlikely to ever get his hands on the trophy he most covets. He could return four years later but that will be more a matter of hunger than of age.
It's not often Messi is upstaged- even in a loss. But on Saturday, when his star fell, the world was already looking at another in the footballing sky.
Kylian Mbappe, the new sweetheart of France, announced his arrival in style - at the grandest stage against the team led by the greatest player of the generation.
Magnificent Mbappe
The 19-year-old Mbappe showed why he is being considered the successor for Messi's position as the best in the world. Mbappe has been drawing comparisons with Thierry Henry ever since he broke into club football and everyone saw why on Saturday.
Mbappe is blessed with electric pace coupled with magnetic touch and intelligent movement. He displayed that with the run that earned France the penalty for their opening goal.
Mbappe's run from his own half took him past three Argentinian players. Inside the penalty area he was quick enough to knock the ball past Marcos Rojo and intelligent enough to earn a penalty as Rojo had to bring him down.
He didn't take the penalty, but Mbappe would later come with two goals of his own. Both goals showed how good a footballer he is.
Mbappe kept his cool in a packed Argentine penalty area a lose ball fell to him. He steadied himself before sweeping a low shot past Armani to score his first goal of the match.
The next goal was a thing of sheer beauty. Kante worked the ball forward to Olivier Giroud whose pass to Mbappe was perfect. But it was Mbappe's beautiful low finish that insured that the effort didn't go to waste.
Messi bows out of Russia 2018
While it seemed Mbappe was flying on air, Messi's fortunes sank lower and lower. When Messi stepped out on Saturday, he looked much more relaxed than his earlier appearances at this World Cup.
However, as the match progressed the mood went bleaker, the man more frustrated.
While the 4-3 scoreline may suggest otherwise, Argentina did not look like winning the game at any point- and it was not in spite of Messi.
Messi hardly produced anything in early minutes. The only time he looked lively was his run just before the second goal. Even then his shot was weak but fortunately Mercado was there to put it past Lloris.
It has not been a great World Cup for Messi. Missing the penalty against Iceland was foreshadowing of his tournament. He looked lost during the 3-0 loss against Croatia. He did produce a moment of magic in the win against Nigeria but was not his usual creative self.
On Saturday, he found it hard to escape the likes of Pogba, Matuidi and Kante, and failed to make any real impact.
This meant Messi has not scored a single goal in the 756 minutes of knockout stage matches he has played at the World Cup.
Messi is and will remain one of the greatest of all times. But he will also have a World-Cup size hole in his illustrious career.
He may return in 2022 and shock us all. But for now Messi will have to make way for the new star on the horizon.
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 "Kylian Mbappe (L) and Lionel Messi")
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