Sports

Mbappe brace helps France beat Argentina, seal Q’final spot

Published

6 years ago

June 30, 2018

Ben Ugbana

Two goals from Paris Saint-Germain forawrd, Kylian Mbappe made the difference for France who defeated Argentina 4-3 in a knockout tie of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

With the scoreline at 2-2 by the hour mark, Mbappe scored twice in 4 minutes to send his country to the quarter-finals of the Russia showpiece, as an injury-time goal by Sergio Aguero didn’t count for much.

The win was France’s first against Argentina in three World Cup meetings after their two previous encounters in 1930 (1-0) and 1978 (2-1).

The last time Argentina got knocked out in the round of 16 was at the 1994 World Cup when they lost 3-2 to Romania.

Argentina, who defeated Nigeria to reach the round of 16, started to trail in the 13th minute when Antoine Griezmann had slotted home a penalty after Mbappe was hauled down by Marcos Rojo.

But the South Americans equalised through Angel di Maria’s sublime 30-yard stike, and got ahead early in the second half from Gabriel Mercado’s deflected finish.

France got back into the game on 57 minutes as Benjamin Pavard struck from outside the penalty area to make it 2-2.

19-year-old Mbappe then pwered in two goals on 64 and 68 minutes to become the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup match since Pele in 1958.

Argentina fought back but substitute Aguero’s late header from Lionel Messi’s cross was just not enough to see them through.

France will next face either Portugal or Uruguay, who play later on Saturday.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now