The World Cup is losing Lionel Messi after France overwhelmed Argentina in Kazan but a stunning performance from teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe suggests that a torch has been passed to the game’s next superstar.
The defensive frailties which have permeated each of Argentina’s games at Russia 2018 eventually proved to be their undoing on Saturday, conceding four times to a rampant France side to bring an end to a World Cup campaign in which Jorge Sampaoli’s men flattered to deceive.
Lionel Messi, the man on whose shoulders Argentina’s hopes rested, was well marshaled by a sturdy French backline who afforded him little opportunity, though he did supply an inch-perfect cross for Sergio Aguero to power home a late header in stoppage time.
If the diminutive Argentine existed on the periphery of the game, Paris St-Germain’s 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe seized it by the throat, hitting the net twice and being brought down in the box for Antoine Griezmann’s 13th-minute penalty.
It was a performance of the highest quality from the youngster and, as has been noted on social media, perhaps appropriate that he announced himself on the biggest stage of them all at the same time in which Messi departs it. Below is the reaction to a dramatic day in Kazan!
Said it before, but Kylian Mbappe will be the next global football superstar.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
Phenomenal run from Mbappe. Reminds me so much of Brazilian Ronaldo.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018
Messi's play is so damned beautiful! Heartbreaking to see him go!#foreveramessifan #messi #FRAARG #worldcup2018 pic.twitter.com/seObgbKJ8u
— Priyanka Karki (@PriyankaKarky) June 30, 2018
The game’s biggest star beaten by the game’s biggest talent. Feels like the baton may just have been passed. #fraarg
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) June 30, 2018
Best game of the tournament so far by a MILE #FRAARG
— Football Daily (@footballdailyuk) June 30, 2018
That was everything we always dreamed a knockout-stage match could be. #FRAARG
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) June 30, 2018
Just thought...is this the last time we will ever see Messi on the #WorldCup stage? #FRAARG
— Seema Jaswal (@meseemajaswal) June 30, 2018
When you realise a ronaldo fanboy is ending messi international's deam #FRAARG pic.twitter.com/NzWYGWR0Ud
— Hallel william (@HallelWill) June 30, 2018
Leo Messi leaves the #WorldCup 😥 pic.twitter.com/Zc4LVeF3Qh
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 30, 2018
A performance like that on world's stage 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. At 19 I was being rejected by Brighton 😂 #Mbappe
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) June 30, 2018