It’s time for the knockout stages to get underway with a blast in Kazan Arena. The French team has the measures of most of the South American teams except Argentina. These two heavyweight teams of international football are always among the favourites to lift the Trophy and boast of some of the game’s biggest superstars, from Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann to Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.
This is the third time that France and Argentina will meet at the World Cup. The first encounter came in the group stage of the inaugural edition of the tournament at Uruguay 1930. La Albiceleste won 1-0 in Montevideo. 48 years later, the 1978 hosts beat France once more by 2-1.
Lionel Messi scored a fantastic goal against Nigeria, but there were also solid performances in key positions from Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Otamendi, Ever Banega, Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuain. They must step up again against France. The French are also prepared and cannot wait to play against Argentina in the Round of 16. Bleus goalkeeper Steve Mandanda said, “We knew the plan, we knew it would happen quickly... but we can’t wait to be there!”
