KNOCKOUTS BEGIN...

Kazan (Russia), June 29 

Advertisement

Argentina and Lionel Messi need to find form fast if they are to go any further in the World Cup tomorrow when they meet a France team who have yet to live up to their billing. The first last-16 match in Russia promises to be a fascinating clash of two under-achieving sides who are supposedly on different trajectories. 

All the flaws of an ageing and unbalanced Argentina team were ruthlessly exposed in the thrashing by Croatia in the group stage. But, roared on by a pumped-up Diego Maradona, Messi finally opened his account in this tournament before Marcos Rojo volleyed in a stunning winner against Nigeria as the losing 2014 finalists punched their ticket to the knockout stage.

Didier Deschamps' France, meanwhile, among the pre-tournament favourites, have looked sluggish despite easing through the group stage unbeaten. First-choice striker Antoine Griezmann has been unable to recapture his best form and the creativity has failed to flow from midfield.

Deschamps is adamant that France will get it all right on the night when the business end of the tournament kicks off on Saturday. “A whole new competition begins now, direct elimination,” Deschamps said. 

“We got what we wanted. Now the mountain looms up in front of us, but we're there and we're aiming to get through to the next round after that.”    

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi underlined his importance to Argentina with a sublimely-taken opening goal against Nigeria on Tuesday. But it only partly made amends for the Barcelona icon's penalty miss against Iceland in a lacklustre  1-1 draw that dampened Argentine hopes from their opening match. Messi was then virtually missing in action when Jorge Sampaoli's men suffered the chastening defeat to Croatia. But with Messi back in form, Argentina can hope to go deeper into the tournament. — AFP

Short Passes

Kazan

I was informing not consulting Messi, says Argentina coach

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli says he was informing rather consulting Lionel Messi in an exchange during the team's last World Cup match that some media interpreted as him ceding authority to the celebrated forward. Much has been made of the footage of the discussion before Sampaoli brought on striker Sergio Aguero as a substitute during the 2-1 win over Nigeria that secured Argentina's passage to the last 16. The 58-year-old coach, speaking on the eve of Saturday's clash with France at the Kazan Arena, said the incident had been misinterpreted. "I remember that point in time but everything I say to my players is personal and I will not divulge what was said," he said.  

Moscow

Even Maradona must show respect: FIFA 

Diego Maradona may be a giant of the game's history, soccer's governing body FIFA said on Friday, but even he must show respect to other fans at World Cup stadiums. Asked about complaints that the 57-year-old had made an obscene gesture at other spectators after Argentina snatched a late win on Wednesday, FIFA's World Cup chief executive Colin Smith told reporters that the former Argentine player was a valued part of its Legends programme to promote the game. "The players who helped write the history of football have a part to play," Smith said. "Diego Maradona, obviously one of the greatest footballers who ever lived, is a part of that." But, saying FIFA was aware of incidents such as that during Argentina's vital group game against Nigeria in St. Petersburg, he added: "We would expect all players, former players, staff, fans, everyone to behave in a respectful manner." During the game, Maradona drew attention with his antics in the stands, lapping up adulation from fans, unveiling a poster of himself and seemingly falling asleep at one point. Then, after Marcos Rojo's 86th-minute winner secured Argentina's place in the last 16, he made a middle-finger gesture with both hands. — Agencies 

Head to head

11France and Argentina have met 11 times. Argentina won six games, France two, with three draws.

Odds

France

13/10

Argentina

9/4

Draw

19/10

Players to watch 

Lionel Messi
Argentina 

Messi underlined his importance to Argentina with a sublimely-taken opening goal against Nigeria on Tuesday. But it only partly made amends for the Barcelona icon's penalty miss against Iceland in a lacklustre  1-1 draw that dampened Argentine hopes from their opening match. 

Antoine Griezmann 
France 

Antoine Griezmann has not been at his usual best so far in the tournament; he has managed just a single goal via a penalty against Australia. With his speed, he could cause a lot of problems for the brittle Argentine defence.

Did you Know 

40There is a good reason for Les Bleus to be confident ahead of Saturday's encounter as well: the French have not lost to South American opposition at the FIFA World Cup for 40 years! Their last encounter with a CONMEBOL team was a 0-0 draw with Ecuador at Brazil 2014.

757 France have not conceded a goal in their last seven World Cup matches (757 minutes) against South American opposition. The last man South American score against Les Bleus was Brazil's Careca back in 1986.

0Argentina forward Lionel Messi has never scored in the knockout stages of the World Cup: 666 minutes, 0 goals. He is the last Argentinian player to score against France, back in February 2009 in a friendly (2-0).