Argentina can now target revenge on France for their 2018 Russia World Cup defeat when they clash in the Qatar 2022 final. A Kylian Mbappe masterclass lit up their Round of 16 tie.
La Albiceleste have enjoyed a strong record against Les Bleus during their past encounters. But France emerged as the dominant force four years ago when they met Argentina at the Kazan Arena. The result would help fuel Didier Deschamps’ side to secure that year’s title.
Now, France will play in the World Cup final at back-to-back tournaments for the first time. The Europeans have won in each of their previous two appearances, including as the host nation for the 1998 World Cup. Argentina lost to Germany in their last final at Brazil 2014.
When did the 2022 World Cup finalists, France vs Argentina, last meet?
Argentina have not met France in any competition since Mbappe inspired Deschamps’ side to a 4-3 win at the 2018 World Cup. But Les Bleus now stand firmly in La Albiceleste’s path to a third FIFA title. The South Americans added to their 1978 triumph with the 1986 title.
Lionel Messi came within minutes of following Diego Maradona in captaining Argentina to a World Cup title in 2014. But Mario Gotze dashed La Albiceleste’s hopes when he volleyed home the only goal of the final on 113 minutes to secure Germany their fourth title so far.
Russia 2018 offered Argentina an instant chance to respond to their heartbreak from Brazil 2014. But an underwhelming Group D campaign saw Jorge Sampaoli’s side meet the Group C winners, France, in the last 16. And the Kazan Arena would witness their World Cup exit.
Argentina laboured their way through the opening round in Russia with a 1-1 draw against Iceland and a 2-1 win over Nigeria sandwiching a 3-0 defeat to Croatia. France, meanwhile, strolled their way to the top spot in Group C with 2-1 and 1-0 wins over Australia and Peru.
Deschamps made a number of changes against Denmark in their final first-round game but still took a 0-0 draw. Les Bleus only needed to avoid a defeat in the fixture to retain the top spot. And in doing so, the knockouts, Sampaoli and Messi awaited in Kazan on June 30.
Kylian Mbappe lit up the Round of 16 tie against Lionel Messi’s side in 2018
Much of the attention going into the Round of 16 tie between Argentina and France at the 2018 World Cup in Russia was on Messi, rather than a 19-year-old Mbappe. But the Bleus forward was the one stealing the headlines come full-time after delivering a masterclass.
Mbappe did not need long to grow into the affair as his charging run won France a penalty for a clumsy Marcos Rojo foul. Antoine Griezmann made no mistake from the spot to lead after 13 minutes. The goal took the wind out of an Argentina team that struggled to reply.
Yet Sampaoli’s side headed into the break level after Angel Di Maria received the ball from Ever Banega, took a touch and arrowed the ball home from 30 yards out. Gabriel Mercado would also give Argentina a lead on 48 minutes after turning Messi’s shot past Hugo Lloris.
But for all of Di Maria’s belief and Mercado’s fortune, Benjamin Pavard struck the Goal of the Tournament to equalise. The full-back flashed the ball beyond Franco Armani with the outside of his boot on 57 minutes. He could not have made a better contact with the ball.
No Frenchman since fellow full-back Lilian Thuram at the 1998 World Cup had scored from outside of the area. Then it became the Mbappe show as the teenager turned on the style to send Argentina out and fire France through to the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Argentina failed to adhere to the France forward’s early World Cup warning
Mbappe had already warned Argentina of his ability on the ball with a searing run through the middle of the pitch to win France’s early penalty in their 2018 World Cup tie. Rojo had no answers for the forward’s strength and speed as he charged straight through Argentina.
It was his awareness that returned Mbappe’s first goal, though, as he remained alert in the box. Lucas Hernandez flashed the ball into the area but Blaise Matuidi could not get a shot through a cluster of bodies. Yet it fell to Mbappe, who drilled in low under the goalkeeper.
History then awaited Mbappe just four minutes later as he became the first teenager since Brazil icon Pele in the 1958 final to score twice in a World Cup match. The forward finished a blistering France counter-attack with another well-taken shot from Olivier Giroud’s pass.
Argentina would eventually pull a goal back in the third minute of stoppage time as Messi found Sergio Aguero with an inch-perfect cross to glance a header home. But the damage Mbappe dealt after 64’ and 68 minutes left La Albiceleste booking their flights back home.
Mbappe had already scored at the 2018 World Cup after netting in France’s 1-0 result over Peru before facing Argentina. He would also go on to net once in the final as Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2. In doing so, he again emulated Pele, the last teenager to score during the final.
Now, an even more potent Mbappe has led France back to the World Cup final where they will face Argentina on Sunday. At 23 years old, the Paris Saint-Germain dynamo is the joint top-scorer at Qatar 2022 with Messi with five goals each. He also has two assists in six ties.
Kylian Mbappe announced himself to the world at Lionel Messi’s expense
Mbappe’s masterclass as France beat Argentina and Messi at the 2018 World Cup in Russia announced the attacker to the globe. His work to restore Deschamps’ squad’s lead was, at times, unstoppable. But the warning signs were there from the off with his charging runs.
The forward’s acceleration launched Mbappe clear of any Argentinean player at will and he had the strength to muscle his way through. Nicolas Tagliafico had no answers for the teenager’s work on the wing. His yellow card on 19 minutes also gave Mbappe free reign.
Argentina will now have to hope that four years of seeing Mbappe become one of the best players in the world helps their defenders try to stop him on Sunday. No matter how hard La Albiceleste tried in Russia, he almost always came out on top in any physical encounter.
Mbappe had the South Americans running scared whenever France worked the ball to him anywhere on the pitch. Di Maria was among the many to resort to tripping the youngster in a desperate bid to stop him. Now, Qatar 2022 offers Argentina their chance for revenge.
But revenge will not come easily for Argentina when they take on France – led by an even more confident and even more talented Mbappe – in the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
