France v Argentina turned out to be one of the games of the tournament so far and certainly from an entertainment value it was end to end as both teams went for the win. What was even more brilliant was that all seven of the goals that were scored had something special about them. Yes maybe Argentina’s second was a bit fortunate when it deflected in, however it was created by a bit of skill on the edge of the box by Lionel Messi. France’s first goal was penalty but the build up to the award of the spot kick itself all came from the sheer pace and athleticism of star man Mbappe.
France were superb on the day and even though they were initially pegged back and then went behind, they continued to play meaningful and attacking football. Mbappé was a joy to watch and the young man excelled much more than a man who might never play World Cup football ever again. Messi will be thirty-five by the time the Qatar World Cup comes around 2022 and of course there is never any guarantees that Argentina will qualify, look at Italy and Holland. Anyway, France are through to face Uruguay.
France 4–3 Argentina
Griezmann Goal 13′ (pen.)
Pavard Goal 57′
Mbappé Goal 64′, 68′
Di María Goal 41′
Mercado Goal 48′
Agüero Goal 90+3′
Next fixture for France:
Friday July 6th: Uruguay v France – Nizhny Novgorod, 3pm (Match 57)
Uruguay v Portugal followed France and Argentina on Saturday night and just like that game it did not disappoint. It didn’t have as many goals but it was still end to end with some brilliant goals as well and once again both teams to continue to attack each other in the hope of reaching the Quarter-Finals. Unfortunately just like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is going home too as his side were knocked out by two wonderful strikes from Edinson Cavani. The first was a wonderful back post header from a Luis Squares powerful cross, his second was probably one of my favourite goals of the tournament so far. As Cavani somehow drilled a right side-foot shot so powerfully it gave the Portuguese and now Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Rui Patrício absolutely no chance.
Just like Messi, Ronaldo might not be at the next World Cup either, although with his physique I do think he has more chance of playing than the Argentinian. Still, between the pair of them they’ve never scored a single goal in the World Cup knock out stages, even England’s Matthew Upson has one of them. Uruguay to face France in the next round then and that should be another cracker of a games next Friday afternoon. This World Cup just keeps getting better and better and I’m sure there are some more shocks to come.
Uruguay 2–1 Portugal
Cavani Goal 7′, 62′
Pepe Goal 55′
Next fixture for Uruguay:
Friday July 6th: Uruguay v France – Nizhny Novgorod, 3pm (Match 57)
