The Joyous Response To A World Cup Classic As France Oust Argentina

Theoretically, France vs Argentina was always going be an ideal opener to the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup - but never quite this ideal.

Although a French victory looked certain after Kylian Mbappé grabbed his second goal of a blockbusting afternoon for the PSG man, the build up to that point had been frantic, brilliant, and genuinely held the potential for anything to occur.

After yet another Antoine Griezmann penalty opened the scoring for Didier Deschamps' men, it was another PSG man in the blue & white stripes of Argentina that leveled proceedings; Angel Di Maria scoring one of the goals of the tournament.

GOAL Argentina#FRA 1-1 ARG

What a hit from Angel di Maria! One of the goals of the tournament. Game on! #RTEsoccer

Live Updates: https://t.co/OnJgUORzbr pic.twitter.com/4Km3QiMGYT

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 30, 2018

First goal scored by Di Maria. Di Maria won the freekick for the second one. Not bad for a man subjected to so much criticism

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) June 30, 2018

Have we just seen the best two goals in the tournament in this game?! Wow. What a game! #pavard #dimaria #fraarg #bbcWorldCup2018

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 30, 2018

Mama Mia Di Maria. What a goal.

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018

Coming just before half-time, Lionel Messi's strike early into the second-half fell toward the Argentine full-back Gabriel Mercado, who gladly diverted it into Hugo Lloris' net - 2-1 Argentina, but the best was yet to come.

Although it would have been difficult to imagine that Di Maria's goal could be bettered in the same game, France's Benjamin Pavard did just that. By popular consensus, it could well be the goal of the tournament.

GOAL #FRA 2-2 #ARG

Pavard (just wait for the replay from behind!). Ladies and gentleman, we've got a classic on our hands.#RTEsoccer

Live updates: https://t.co/OnJgUOzYjT pic.twitter.com/HLfEQZJdI7

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 30, 2018

that Pavard goal will be on loop in the Louvre forever

— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) June 30, 2018

can u strike a ball better that that unbelievable #pavard

— john kenny (@JohnKennyMedia) June 30, 2018

France v Argentina is absolute 🔥🔥🔥. What a goal from France to level it!

— Neal Mann (@fieldproducer) June 30, 2018

That camera shot from behind Pavard should win the Turner Prize

— Ronan Murphy (@Ro_Murph) June 30, 2018

International football is dead, yeah?

— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) June 30, 2018

Wow what a goal from the French !!! Some goals !!

— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) June 30, 2018

This is the World Cup that keeps on giving. Journalists in the media centre in Sochi applauding that strike from Pavard. Some of them may have been Uruguayan.

— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) June 30, 2018

Nice to see the corner backs on the scoresheet #2 #WorldCup #ARG #FRA

— Paddy Stapleton (@pasaint) June 30, 2018

Knockout football is the best 🔥🔥 What a goal #FRAARG

— Dean Rock (@Deanrock14) June 30, 2018

Recommended

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooo 🚀

— Over Under Initiative (@OverUnderPlay) June 30, 2018

Holy half-slice creating that spin on that strike by Pavard. Most coaching talks about chest & knee over the ball, striking through it - but shh- should be teaching that volley slice. #France

— Kate Markgraf (@katemarkgraf) June 30, 2018

Unbelievable finish from Pavard after making the mistake for Argentina’s 2nd. Great game #SBSTheWorldGame #RussiaWorldCup2018 #FRAARG

— David Zdrilic (@Zdrila) June 30, 2018

Charlie Daniels-esque. Stunning.

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) June 30, 2018

>American soccer haters.... Are you watching??? #Worldcup2018Russia

— Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) June 30, 2018

T E C H N I Q U E 👏🏽 #WorldCup #FRA #ARG pic.twitter.com/GafynTEOQZ

— Laurie Hanna (@LaurieHanna) June 30, 2018

From there, France quickly retook the lead through the 19-year-old Mbappe and never really looked back. Having won the penalty for Griezmann's opener, Mbappe proceeded to quickly grab France's fourth of the afternoon.

Kylian Mbappe is the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen scored one in 2 separate games in 1998. Mbappe wasn’t born then. He’s also the first teenager to score 2 in a match since Pele v Sweden in the final of 1958. 😳

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018

What were you up to when you were 19? 👏🏼 Mbappe. We’ve been waiting for this.

— Alison Bender (@alibendertv) June 30, 2018

With Argentina clearly struggling to contain any French counter-attack, there were a few half-chances for Jorge Sampaoli's team to reel France back in somewhat - the second-half substitute Sergio Aguero pulling one back for Argentina late on.

However, it was not meant to be. Finishing up 4-3, the general consensus was nevertheless wildly positive. An astonishingly entertaining game by which to open up the knockout stages, excitement for what was yet to come permeated through all watching.