30th June, 2018
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
France have beaten Argentina 4-3 to send the South American side out of the World Cup, with Lionel Messi set to be in the shadow of Diego Maradona without a World Cup in his kitty.
Messi has never won a World Cup and a Copa America trophy and football pundits said he needs to win the World Cup to be greater than Maradona and rank among the great.
France opened scoring on 13 minutes through a penalty converted by Antoine Griezmann. Argentina goalkeeper, Franco Armani dived to his left,as Griezmann rolled it fairly centrally.
A super strike from Angel di Maria on 41 minutes equalised for Argentina.
Ever Banega passed the ball to Angel di Maria,who played in France for Paris St-Germain, he got the ball onto his left foot and from 30 yards sent a rocket of an effort past Hugo Lloris.
Argentina took the lead on 48 minutes to make it 2-1 for the South American side as Gabriel Mercado scored.
The free-kick was deflected by Paul Pogba out to Lionel Messi. The Argentine star, near the corner of the box, turned and shoots – Hugo Lloris has it covered – but Mercado diverted his team-mate’s shot past the goalkeeper and into the net.
France equalised on 57 minutes through Benjamin Pavard. A Lucas Hernandez cross came in, an Argentine defender failed to clear and the ball bounced to France right-back Benjamin Pavard just outside the box. He lets it bounced and then sent a wonderful spinning effort past Franco Armani into the back of the net.
Olivier Giroud poked a ball through to the teenager, who just so calmly slots the ball past the Argentine keeper from the edge of the box.