Mbappe goals, pace scorch Argentina

One of the bright young talents at the World Cup, Kylian Mbappe has scored three of France's seven goals so far at the tournament.

Published : Jun 30, 2018 20:24 IST , CHENNAI

Kylian Mbappe has been Argentina's biggest threat so far.
Kylian Mbappe has been Argentina's biggest threat so far.
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Kylian Mbappe has been Argentina's biggest threat so far.

Kylian Mbappe came into the World Cup as one of the bright young talents to keep a close eye on. He boasts all the attributes that make a forward lethal: blistering pace, a terrific ball carrying ability and a clinical in front of goal.

Mbappe didn't score against Australia in France's opening fixture, albeit he had carried a goal threat. Against Peru, Mbappe pounced on a loose ball and tapped into an empty net for his first World Cup goal.

READ: France knocks Argentina out in seven-goal thriller

But no one needs telling that the clash against Argentina was the biggest of the tournament so far, for France and the 19-year-old Mbappe. Deployed on the right of a front three, and with France playing relatively deep in its own half, Mbappe, with his blistering pace, was always going to be a threat with his dangerous runs in behind the defence.

Early in the first half, on one occasion when he had the opportunity to make a penetrating run with just the Argentina defenders ahead of him, Mbappe showed what raw pace can do. His pace and movement make for a nightmare combination for defenders and Marcos Rojo, who had kept Albiceleste in the World Cup with his winner against Nigeria, fell the wrath of Mbappe's pace.

ALSO READ: Mbappe matches Brazil great's 60-year-old World Cup record

With the French teenager engaging Rojo in a footrace, the Argentine centre-back couldn't make up his mind (a result of Mbappe's pace) and before he could get himself between Mbappe and the ball, Mbappe had gotten past the Manchester United centre-back. A under-pressure Rojo then bumped into the back of the PSG forward and conceded a penalty.

Antoine Griezmann scored from the spot to give France a vital lead in the last-16 clash. But the Les Bleus was pegged back late in the half when a trademark strike from Angel Di Maria drew the South American giant level.

ALSO READ: Mbappe pulls off an Owen

Then, when the scoreline was level 2-2, Mbappe's goal-scoring ability came to the fore. He scored his second goal of the tournament from a tight angle to first put France in the lead for the second time in the match. Then, just minutes later, the PSG forward doubled Argentina's lead, making the score 4-2.

Mbappe has also told that he'll be donating his match fees

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