France vs Argentina LIVE World Cup 2018: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as Lionel Messi crashes out - latest reaction

Follow all the live coverage from the first knockout round of the World Cup

France Argentina players walk out at Kazan Arena

After narrowly making it through to the knockout stage of the competition, a struggling Argentine side will now face its toughest opponent yet in the form of Didier Deschamp’s France.

The French failed to convince in their opening games but finished top of Group C regardless. The side have only conceded one goal this World Cup which came in the form of a Mile Jedniak penalty. France’s strong defensive efforts have served them well in the competition so far, though their failure to score against Denmark will have raised cause for concern.

Argentina, on the other hand, have endured a terrible opening to the World Cup and at point looked destined for a shock exit. However, a late Marcos Rojo goal clinched victory for the South Americans against Nigeria, booking their place in the last-16 for the fourth World Cup in a row.

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What time is it?

France vs Argentina kicks off at 15:00 at the Kazan Arena.

Where can I watch it?

Live coverage will be broadcast on BBC 1.

Odds

France: 11/8

Argentina: 12/5

Draw: 2/1

Prediction

If Argentina continue to struggle then this should be a fairly easy game for the French national side. France’s strong defensive play will allow their offence to focus on picking apart the weak Argentine backline.

Key Points

• It's day 17 and the start of the last-16 in Russia
• First up Lionel Messi's Argentina bid to keep their tournament alive against France at 3pm
• Later Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal take on Uruguay at 7pm

[30 June 2018 13:12 · Jack Watson]

On their way

Argentina fans have been some of the loudest and proudest fans in Russia, and that is no exception this afternoon.

[30 June 2018 13:26 · Jack Watson]

Team News

The official team news drops in around an hour but there are some potential calls to look out for.

France could be without Manchester City defender Banjamin Mendy who has a slight muscle injury. Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Corentin Tolisso, Hugo Lloris and Kylian Mbappe were all rested against Denmark and are expected to return to the starting xi.

There are no fresh concerns for Argentina and they are likely to name the same side that beat Nigeria. Enzo Perez is the only possible problem, but he should be fine to start.

[30 June 2018 13:34 · Jack Watson]

Jorge Sampaoli has his say

[30 June 2018 13:45 · Jack Watson]

Team News

Olivier Giroud keeps his place as Blaise Matuidi, Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Hugo Lloris return to the side.

[30 June 2018 13:47 · Jack Watson]

Team News

Argentina team to play France: Armani; Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Enzo Pérez, Mascherano, Banega; Pavón, Messi, Di María.

It appears that Lionel Messi will be playing as a false nine, with Angel Di Maria and Cristian Pavon playing around him. 

[30 June 2018 13:53 · Jack Watson]

Benega found level at World Cup

Jonathan Liew's ode to Ever Banega is well worth five minutes of your time.

[30 June 2018 14:12 · Molly Hudson]

In the first of two installments of World Cup action today, two of footballs giants will go head to head for a place in the quarter finals. The headlines in the days leading up to the game, and probably plenty after - regardless of the result - will go to Lionel Messi, but who else should we be expecting big things from?

Both Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero have been left on the bench, with Messi expected to line-up as a false nine, so plenty of attacking focus will be placed upon Angel Di Maria, who underwhelmed in his spell in England, and has been criticised by Argentinian media for his recent performances in the national shirt. His width, pace, and tricky could be crucial, particularly with the French full backs seen as a weakness in their side.

[30 June 2018 14:14 · Molly Hudson]

Argentina are not short of talent, and that has left Jorge Sampaoli with plenty of difficult decisions as to who made his starting XI, particularly in attacking roles...

[30 June 2018 14:27 · Molly Hudson]

For France, it's been a slightly different story. They've had squad depth, young talent, and world stars, but despite comfortably advancing past the group stage, unlike Argentina who just scraped through, they have been underwhelming.

Paul Pogba has performed well, but hasn't lit up the World Cup with a brilliant individual performance as of yet, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe criticised for sometimes overplaying, and trying unnecessary tricks. On paper, France have the stronger squad, and despite the individual star quality of Messi against them, go into this as slight favourites. But will their inexperience thwart them if Argentina finally get their undeniable talent to perform? 

We only have 30 minutes to wait, with kick off rapidly approaching at 3pm.

[30 June 2018 14:39 · Molly Hudson]

This afternoon poses a huge challenge, not just for the players, but the managers too. Didier Deschamps takes charge of a record-breaking 80th game for France whilst Jorge Sampaoli leads his country (maybe?!) for just the 15th time, and is yet to name an unchanged side in any of those games.