Sport

#Russia2018

Argentina must lift game for ‘genius’ Messi against France

Argentina must lift game for ‘genius’ Messi against France
Marcos Rojo of Argentina celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi (top) after scoring the 2-1 during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Nigeria and Argentina in St.Petersburg, Russia, 26 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV

Two years after losing to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016, a star-studded but underperforming French side desperately need to find their form and fluency against Argentina if they are to avoid an early exit.

Read our team-by-team guide for the last 16, including fixtures, kick off times and head-to-head stats.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli has called on Argentina to lift their game to the level of “genius” Lionel Messi when they look to seal a World Cup quarter-final place with victory over France on Saturday.

The tone of Argentina’s so far ragged bid for the title was set when Messi missed a penalty in the shock opening 1-1 draw with Iceland.

The 31-year-old Barcelona great was then virtually invisible during a chastening 3-0 defeat to Croatia that exposed weaknesses in Argentina’s defence and a lack of potency in attack.

It took a great touch of control, following a superb pass from teammate Ever Banega, for Messi to finally open his account in Russia in the 2-1 win over Nigeria only sealed by Marcos Rojo’s 86th minute volley.

Despite Messi’s problems in the tournament, under-fire Sampaoli suggested his teammates had to give “the best player on earth” as much help as possible.

“Leo has such clear vision when it comes to football that he allows us to see things that, sometimes, only a true genius sees,” said Sampaoli.

“It’s often difficult to be at the level of such a great player. He’s a shining light for us all, and we have to do our very best to all try to be at his level.”

Sevilla midfielder Banega claimed Messi has now hit his stride.

“It’s only normal – he wasn’t relaxed, we didn’t start the tournament as well as we should have.

“Now, I see him a lot more comfortable now. He helped us win, and that makes a big difference.”

But with Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo racing ahead in the scoring charts on four goals so far, and England’s Harry Kane on five goals in just two matches, Messi risks finishing this World Cup with a whimper.

France’s team, whose average age is 25, will be looking to awake from their recent slumber and Sampaoli, whose side’s average age is 30, underlined the danger of allowing the France to dictate play.

As France look to underperforming striker Antoine Griezmann to lift his game, Sampaoli underlined a bigger threat in 19-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kylian Mbappe, who struck France’s match winner in a 1-0 win over Peru, and 21-year-old Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

“France are known for being fast, their solid passing and moving quickly from defence to attack, and we can’t let them use their speed against us,” he said.

“They will try to make us make mistakes, and try to hurt us on the wings. If Dembele and Mbappe play, they will be very fast for sure.

“The key, for both teams, will be the actual game of passing and football.

“We have two completely different styles but I have faith we will impose our own style and dictate the pace and rhythm of the game.”

But, he added: “Argentina will play an aggressive style of football, we’re going to attack from kick-off.

“Accepting defeat would be very difficult for us.”
 

Kick off time and broadcast schedule

 
Kick off time:  30 June, 16:00
Broadcast: SABC 1 and SuperSport
 

Key stats

 
Head-to-head, the South Americans hold the aces with six wins, three draws and two losses. They’ve met twice in World Cups (1930 and 1978) with Argentina winning both matches.

Didier Deschamps will become the France coach with the most games in charge when he sits on the bench for the 80th time, beating Raymond Domenech’s record.

Argentina have won the World Cup twice (1978, 1986), France once (1998).

The Argentina team feature their all-time goalscorer (Lionel Messi, 65) and their all-time most capped player (Javier Mascherano, 146).

France have only scored two goals in open play in the group phase. They have not conceded a goal in open play in the group phase for the first time since 1998, when they went on to win the trophy on home soil.  DM

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.