WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: OLIVIER GIROUD

Prior to 30 June 2018, there had been 11 previous meetings between France and Argentina, with the last French win all the way back in March 1986. In Kazan, the Round of 16 of the World Cup would be the next instalment of this fixture: France reached this stage without much trouble, winning a group which oddly included Denmark and Australia, just like in Qatar 2022. Argentina, on the other hand, after picking up point in their first two matches against Iceland and Croatia, beat Nigeria in their final game to gain passage to the round. 

Today, four years down the line, France return to play in the Round of 16, against Poland, and as we approach this fixture, we look back at that explosive 2018 match, in which our man Olivier Giroud was the star.

The French side, who went on to lift the World Cup in Moscow on 15 July, got off to a strong start by exploiting Kylian Mbappé's speed and pace. PSG's 20-year-old earned his side a penalty in the 13th minute, when he was brought down by Otamendi: Griezmann beat Armani from the spot to put Deschamps' side ahead. 

Argentina, however, found the strength to turn the game around at half-time: first a well-placed left-footed finish from Di Maria in the 41st minute and then a diversion (intentional or unintentional?) from Mercado put the South Americans ahead three minutes into the second half. A situation that lasted only nine minutes, before Pavard's marvellous right-footer brought everything back into the balance in the 57th minute.

After winning the penalty for the early lead, Mbappé ran riot just after the hour mark. In the 64th minute, he found space to shot with his left foot and fired one past Armani to make it 3-2. Four minutes later, played through by Olivier Giroud's assist (Oli's second in the tournament), he sprinted ahead to score his second and essentially sealed the deal. The Albiceleste found a consolation third goal in the 93rd minute through Sergio Agüero, which only softened the blow. 

Today France are back on the pitch: four years later, the Bleus are still in the running for the world title, with Giroud and Theo Hernández spurring on their side.

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