
2018 FIFA World Cup results: Saturday 30th June France 4-3 Argentina Uruguay 2-1 Portugal
Round-up:
The first day of the knockout stages featured two blockbuster matches involving two European and two South American teams, with one European and one South American progressing. In the day's earlier match, France and Argentina played out a seven-goal thriller. France started out as arguably the better team, and after an impressive burst of speed from Kylian Mbappe, they were given a penalty after he was fouled by defender Marcos Rojo. The penalty was duly converted by Antoine Griezmann to give Les Bleus the lead. Argentina equalised with a great goal by Angel di Maria just four minutes before the break. Three minutes after the restart, Argentina took the lead after Lionel Messi's shot got deflected by Gabriel Mercado. France then equalised thanks to an outrageous goal from Benjamin Pavard, one that will be replayed again and again and may well be awarded goal of the tournament. Then France really turned it on and Kylian Mbappe stole the show with two goals to give them a 4-2 lead in what was a star performance by the teenager. Sergio Agüero did net a late consolation for Argentina late on, but it was not enough to prevent the losing finalists of 4 years ago from exiting the tournament at the last 16 stage. In the later match, Uruguay and Portugal were involved in a tight match which was in the end edged out by the South Americans. Edison Cavani gave Uruguay the lead on seven minutes after some neat build-up play which yielded a header from the Paris Saint- Germain striker. The South American side had not conceded a goal all tournament, but conceded their first goal ten minutes after half-time from due to some uncharacteristically poor defending from a corner, with the ball being headed in by Pepe. Portugal were not level for long, as Edinson Cavani scored another beautiful goal following some excellent build-up play to give them the lead just seven minutes after Portugal equalised. Cavani did limp off injured later on which certainly would not have been ideal.
Quarter-final: Uruguay v France - Friday 6th July - 4pm kick-off