The highly anticipated match between France and Argentina in the 2018 FIFA World Cup was filled with excitement and top-level football. Both teams showcased their talent and skills, leading to an intense battle on the pitch. In this article, we will analyze the individual performances of players from both teams and provide player ratings based on their contributions to the game.
Starting with France, their team displayed a strong defensive performance, with players like Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti showcasing their defensive prowess. The midfield was led by midfield maestro N’Golo Kante, who controlled the game’s tempo and broke up Argentina’s attacks. In attack, teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe stole the show, scoring two crucial goals and terrorizing the Argentine defense with his pace and skill. The French team showed great cohesion and teamwork, and their players demonstrated why they are considered one of the favorites in the tournament.
On the other side, Argentina had some standout performers as well. Lionel Messi, the team’s talisman, showed flashes of his brilliance and scored a fantastic goal. However, he was often isolated and struggled to make an impact due to France’s solid defensive structure. Marcos Rojo, the defender, also stood out for Argentina, scoring a crucial goal late in the game to give his team hope. Despite their individual efforts, the Argentine team failed to find their rhythm and were unable to match the level of their opponents.
In conclusion, the France vs Argentina match was a thrilling contest that showcased the talent and abilities of players from both teams. France demonstrated their strength as a collective unit, with standout performances from players like Mbappe and Kante. Argentina had some individual brilliant moments, but they were overwhelmed by the French team’s cohesive and disciplined play. Overall, this match was a testament to the quality of football displayed at the highest level and left fans eagerly anticipating the next matches in the tournament.
Goalkeepers
The goalkeepers played a crucial role in the France vs Argentina match. On one side, Hugo Lloris showcased his exceptional goalkeeping skills for France, while on the other side, Franco Armani stood strong for Argentina.
- Hugo Lloris: Lloris exhibited outstanding reflexes and made several crucial saves throughout the game. His excellent positioning and anticipation allowed him to deny Argentina’s attacking opportunities. Lloris proved once again why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
- Franco Armani: Armani had a commendable performance for Argentina. He displayed great composure and made some impressive saves, keeping Argentina in the game. Armani showcased his agility and quick reactions, preventing France from increasing their lead.
Both Lloris and Armani exhibited their shot-stopping abilities, with Lloris having a slight edge in terms of overall performance. They proved to be crucial assets for their respective teams, making key saves and ensuring that the match remained highly competitive.
Defenders
The defenders of both teams played a crucial role in the France vs Argentina match. They were responsible for keeping the opposition’s forwards at bay and preventing them from scoring goals. Here is a breakdown of the performance of the defenders from each team:
France’s Defenders
- Raphael Varane: Varane displayed exceptional defensive skills, making crucial tackles and interceptions. He was a solid presence at the back and provided stability to the French defense.
- Samuel Umtiti: Umtiti showcased his defensive prowess with well-timed tackles and strong aerial duels. He was a key figure in keeping the Argentine attackers at bay.
- Benjamin Pavard: Pavard demonstrated versatility as a defender, contributing both defensively and offensively. He made crucial interceptions and also provided an attacking threat from the right-back position.
- Lucas Hernandez: Hernandez put in a commendable defensive performance, making key interceptions and providing solid cover in the left-back position.
Argentina’s Defenders
- Nicolas Tagliafico: Tagliafico showed determination and resilience in defense, constantly pressuring the French attackers and making important clearances.
- Gabriel Mercado: Mercado displayed strength in his defensive positioning and was successful in his attempts to break down French attacks.
- Nicolas Otamendi: Otamendi demonstrated his physicality and aerial prowess, winning several important duels. However, he also struggled at times with positioning and was caught out of position.
- Marcos Rojo: Rojo contributed with his solid defensive work, making important tackles and interceptions. He was also a threat during set-pieces and came close to scoring a goal.
In conclusion, both the French and Argentine defenders put in strong performances. They showed their defensive abilities, making crucial tackles, interceptions, and clearances. While the French defenders were more consistent and provided stability, the Argentine defenders had their moments of brilliance as well.
Midfielders
The midfielders of both teams played a crucial role in dictating the tempo and controlling the flow of the game. The French midfielders showcased their technical skills and tactical awareness, providing a solid foundation for their team’s attacking and defensive efforts.
N’Golo Kanté: With his relentless energy and exceptional ball-winning ability, Kanté was a force to be reckoned with in the midfield. He constantly disrupted Argentina’s build-up play and made key interceptions, allowing his team to quickly transition into attacks. His tireless work rate and ability to cover large areas of the pitch were instrumental in France’s victory.
Paul Pogba: Pogba exhibited his flair and creativity in midfield, combining his physicality with precise passing and intelligent movement. He orchestrated France’s attacks with his long-range passing and showed great composure in tight spaces. Pogba’s goal and assist were a testament to his quality and influence on the game.
Blaise Matuidi: Matuidi’s work rate and defensive contributions were vital for France. He covered a lot of ground, making important tackles and interceptions. His ability to press and disrupt Argentina’s midfielders disrupted their rhythm and limited their creativity. Matuidi’s selfless contributions provided stability in the midfield and allowed his teammates to flourish.
In contrast, Argentina’s midfield struggled to assert their authority on the game. They found it difficult to retain possession and were often overrun by the French midfielders. Despite occasional moments of individual brilliance, the lack of cohesion and defensive discipline hindered Argentina’s midfield effectiveness.
Overall, the French midfielders outperformed their Argentine counterparts, showcasing their technical prowess, tactical understanding, and defensive capabilities. Their contributions were instrumental in France’s victory and their progression to the next round of the tournament.
Forwards
The France national football team boasts an impressive lineup of forwards who are known for their skill, speed, and ability to score goals when it matters most.
Kylian Mbappe: The 22-year-old forward showcased his immense talent and potential in the match against Argentina. With his lightning-fast speed and clinical finishing, Mbappe created numerous scoring opportunities and found the back of the net twice. His performance earned him a well-deserved spot as one of the highest-rated players.
Olivier Giroud: Despite not finding the back of the net in this particular match, Giroud’s contribution to the team cannot be overlooked. The experienced forward provided crucial hold-up play and created space for his teammates with his intelligent movement. His ability to bring others into the game and his physical presence were instrumental in France’s attacking efforts.
Antoine Griezmann: Griezmann showcased his versatility and tactical understanding throughout the match. The forward demonstrated his playmaking abilities with a well-taken assist and constantly threatened the Argentinian defense with his intelligent runs and movement off the ball. Griezmann’s ability to link up with his teammates and create scoring opportunities was a key factor in France’s attacking success.
Nabil Fekir: Coming off the bench, Fekir injected energy and creativity into France’s attacking play. The forward’s nimble footwork and ability to take on defenders caused problems for the Argentinian backline. Fekir’s impact was evident, as he managed to find the back of the net with a well-placed shot, further contributing to France’s goal tally.
In conclusion, the France national football team’s forwards proved their worth in the match against Argentina. Their combination of skill, speed, and ability to make game-changing contributions were key factors in securing the victory. Whether it was Mbappe’s clinical finishing, Giroud’s hold-up play, Griezmann’s playmaking abilities, or Fekir’s creativity off the bench, the forwards played a vital role in France’s success.
Overall Team Performance
The France National Football Team demonstrated a remarkable display of teamwork in their match against the Argentina National Football Team. The French players showcased their exceptional skills and tactical acumen, resulting in a dominant performance throughout the game.
France’s defense was particularly outstanding, with their backline working seamlessly together to thwart Argentina’s attacking threats. The defenders displayed excellent positioning, communication, and the ability to anticipate and intercept their opponents’ passes.
The midfielders of the French team played a crucial role in dictating the rhythm of the game. They showcased exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and the ability to control the tempo. Their ability to win the ball back quickly in transition helped the team maintain constant pressure on the opposition.
France’s attack was a force to be reckoned with, as they constantly posed a threat to the Argentine defense. With their intelligent movement, precise passing, and clinical finishing, the French forwards created numerous scoring opportunities and ultimately found the back of the net multiple times.
The overall team performance of the France National Football Team was characterized by their cohesion, discipline, and effective execution of their game plan. They displayed a superior level of teamwork, demonstrating a complete understanding of each other’s strengths and playing style. This synchronized effort allowed the French team to dominate the game and emerge victorious against a strong Argentine side.