France reach last 16, Messi and Argentina bounce back: World Cup daily

France reach last 16, Messi and Argentina bounce back: World Cup daily

The Saturday World Cup action saw our first team book their place in the round of 16, while one of the tournament’s GOATs returned to winning ways. A Kylian Mbappe brace saw France beat an inspired Denmark side and in the process advance to the knockout round.

In the final match of the day, Argentina bounced back from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia. Lionel Messi scored the eventual match winner in a 2-0 victory over Mexico, a result that sees the Albiceleste climb to second in Group C.

Be sure to check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Qatar. Here’s what you might have missed from the Saturday World Cup happenings, and a look ahead to what’s next on Sunday.

France and Denmark have squared off twice in the past six months. And twice, the Danes have emerged victorious, securing Nations League wins by scores of 2-0 and 2-1. Not that Les Bleus needed any additional motivation to win their Group D contest, but those two defeats sure added some fuel to the fire.

The likes of Antoine Griezmann and Aurelien Tchouameni spoke of France’s recent losses, and how the team spoke ahead of the Saturday match about this time being different, and it was. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, Griezmann starred in midfield and the partnership of Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano in central defence looked imperious. Denmark never made it easy, but there was an air of inevitability about this France team.

The reward for Didier Deschamps’ team? A place in the round of 16, the first side in this edition of the World Cup to reach the knockout stage.

That’s not the end of Denmark, though — not yet anyway. They’ll take on Australia on Wednesday, and assuming that France win or draw against 30th-ranked Tunisia, a victory over the Socceroos will take them through to the round of 16.