By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun
ANKARA (AA) – A brilliant second half performance sent France through to quarter finals at Kazan Arena in World Cup 2018.
France managed to oust Argentina 4-3 on Saturday afternoon to book themselves the final eight ticket.
The first goal of the match came in the 14th minute, when Marcos Rojo brought down French sensation, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe — who gave a hard time to Argentina defense — inside the penalty box.
Antoine Griezmann made no mistake from the spot to give his team 1-0 lead.
Argentina leveled the score at 1-1 in the 41st minute, when Angel di Maria thundered a left-footed strike into the top right corner.
Argentina took the lead just three minutes after the second half started, when Lionel Messi's shot was deflected by defender Gabriel Mercado and went in, confusing the goalkeeper.
After that minute, it was all France as Benjamin Pavard's 57th minute strike equalized the match at 2-2.
Pavard managed to pull out a half volley to the top left corner, scoring his first ever goal for his country in a fashionable way.
Kylian Mbappe gave his team the lead in the 64th minute, his shot got past from goalkeeper Franco Armani.
Then the young star increased the lead to two in the 68th minute, after forward Olivier Giroud rewarded Mbappe, who was running down to the right flank, with a pass.
An injury time header goal by Sergio Aguero pulled one back for Argentina, but it was a little too late.
France will pair with tonight's Uruguay-Portugal match winner.
