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Mbappe Brilliance Ends Messi World Cup

Everyone was waiting for the No 10 to light up the Argentina vs France World Cup Round of 16 clash. In the end, it was the No 10 who made the difference, it just wasn't the No 10 everyone expected.

While Lionel Messi and Co. endured another torrid afternoon, France's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe was in the thick of things. He scored twice and it was his sensational burst of pace that won the penalty that led to France's opening goal.

For Messi and Argentina, this result had been coming for a long time. They had somehow managed to make it past the group stages without looking convincing and now, in the knockouts, against a team that meant business, they had no answers.

The 4-3 scoreline does not do justice to what transpired because France were always in control, even when Argentina briefly led. Trailing 2-1, Benjamin Pavard had helped France pull level with a sensational long-range and Mbappe took it from there.

Born in 1998, the year France won its only ever World Cup, Mbappe has all of France's hopes pinned on him. After tonight's performance, he becomes the first teenager since Pele in 1958 to score a brace in the World Cup knockouts.

Despite having one of the strongest squads on paper, France had started the tournament on a soft note, scoring just thrice in the group stages. They now have 4 goals already in the knockouts and look ready for Portugal or Uruguay, whoever comes up against them in the quarters.

It will be a long flight back to Argentina for Lionel Messi who might have possibly played his last World Cup match. But as the world comes to terms with the demise of a legendary No. 10 at the international stage, another legend who shares the jersey number has just announced himself.



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