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
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.
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.
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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.
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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