France vs Argentina: 5 things we learned

On Saturday, the round of 16 finally kicked off, with France versus Argentina as the curtain-raiser. It was billed as a clash of titans, in which by the time the dust settled, a World Cup champion would be heading home.

Here are five things we learned from the first game of this summer’s round of 16 – which certainly did not disappoint. Goals, goals, and goals galore was the theme of the day, and fans and neutrals alike truly were in for a footballing spectacle.

1. France finally get up and running at the right moment

Given their low-key group stage campaign, many had major concerns about France’s capabilities. Well, they put some of those doubts to bed with their brilliant showing against Argentina. There were some problems – notably conceding three goals – showing that their defense still needs some sorting out. However, it was an all-around strong performance, with stars like Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann, and rising starlet Kylian Mbappe all putting in good days at the office.

Next up for them is a clash with Uruguay – another team peaking at the right time – which should be an interesting one indeed.

2. Argentina’s World Cup dreams up in smoke even before the tournament started…

La Albiceleste’s struggles in qualifying should have been the first red flag. But people had high hopes nonetheless, as the team does boast none other than Lionel Messi in their ranks. But he can’t do it all alone for Argentina – it takes 11 men to win a match.

Arguably, Sergio Romero’s injury prior to the tournament, which saw them have to rely on Willy Caballero, Franco Armani, and Nahuel Guzman. Up until the tie with France, the trio had a grand total of 12 caps between them. Caballero struggles for game time at Chelsea. Armani, who plies his trade for River Plate had his debut against Nigeria – at the age of 31. Not a promising start for a team hoping to try to finally win the tournament after a decades-long wait.

3. …and Jorge Sampaoli deserves to take full blame for it

For starters, many were shocked he didn’t even bother to call up Inter’s Mauro Icardi, who has been a leading scorer in Serie A for the past few seasons. Perhaps he felt he had enough striking options in Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala, and of course, Lionel Messi. Fair enough. However, one thing that had everyone scratching their heads was his use of the players available to him. Why was Aguero not deployed until very late against Nigeria, when Argentina was desperately chasing a goal? Higuain had been frustratingly prolific yet again, even missing a golden opportunity to turn the tide in Argentina’s favor. And in their tie with France, there will be more questions as to why Aguero was again deployed as a sub rather than coming in from the start. He scored a vital goal to give Argentina life – which further begs more queries regarding Sampaoli’s tactical selections during Argentina’s poor World Cup campaign.

4. Mbappe is rapidly cementing status as the break-out star of the tournament

At 19, Kylian Mbappe wasn’t even born the last time France won the World Cup. Now he’s the protagonist behind why they’re through to the quarter-finals – and perhaps beyond. Mbappe’s brace against Argentina puts him in some very elite company as the first teenager since Pele to score a brace in a knock-out round at a World Cup. Many of us weren’t even born yet to witness the Brazilian legend’s heroics at the 1958 World Cup, but fortunately, we are around to see a potential superstar in the making.

5. An unfortunate end on the biggest stage for one of the best players of all time

Lionel Messi will be 35 by the time the next World Cup rolls around, so it’s likely that this tournament was his last opportunity to clinch the biggest title on the world stage. Yes, there’s still a possibility he’d opt to feature in the Copa America, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. He has cut a frustrated and stressed figure during his time in Russia, with the full weight of an entire nation on his shoulders – and it just wasn’t happening for him.

Having been so close to lifting it in 2014, this disappointment will naturally take some time for him to shake off. His goal against Nigeria gave them a lifeline and hope at reviving what has been a poor tournament for Argentina. But it wasn’t enough, as his drought in knock-out games remains dismal – zero goals – and all in all, it’s a rather unfortunate way to bow out of what seems like is his last World Cup.