10 things we loved on day 17: Mbappe, Pavard, Cavani & more

Planet Football • 01 Jul 2018

The knockout phase of the 2018 World Cup got off to a thunderous start as wins for France and Uruguay saw both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo exit the tournament.

One of the most memorable games in World Cup history was played out as Les Bleus defeated Messi’s Argentina by four goals to three, with Kylian Mbappe earning endless praise from his performance.

The game saw some exceptional goals too, while Belgium made a bit of a hash of a simple tweet, and there’s yet another reason why Gareth Southgate is bringing football home.

Benjamin Pavard

We didn’t know where to start with the sheer quality of goals in the France-Argentina match, but this is a thing of pure beauty from the full-back.

Pavard’s goal is best appreciated from this angle https://t.co/zR7xmzP0fl

— Jake. (@YedIin) June 30, 2018

Kylian Mbappe

A deserved man of the match award, and a brace which puts him in esteemed company.

Kylian Mbappé scores twice and #FRA has a 4-2 lead.

Mbappé joins Pelé as the only teenagers with a multi-goal game in a #WorldCup knockout stage match.

He is the 3rd-youngest player with a multi-goal game at the #WorldCup behind Pelé (twice) and Manuel Rosas. pic.twitter.com/aLVoKzBLSQ

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 30, 2018

France

Aside from that wonderful goal by Pavard, and the individual brilliance Mbappe displayed, the French team finally showed what they’re all about with their excellently crafted fourth goal.

Angel Di Maria

But not to forget, Di Maria pulled this out of absolutely nowhere to equalise for Argentina, scoring the furthest-out goal at the World Cup so far (30.2 yards).

What a hit from Angel Di Maria 🚀

A contender for @Hyundai_Global #WorldCupGOT?

👀 TV listings 👉 https://t.co/xliHcxWvEO
📺 Highlights 👉 https://t.co/LOdKDX2Cwn pic.twitter.com/AUqUKugJkr

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 30, 2018

Edinson Cavani

Meanwhile, in the other game, that pass…

PSG

Did you notice? Five of the 10 goals scored on Saturday were netted by PSG players.

50% – 5 des 10 buts marqués aujourd'hui en Coupe du Monde ont été inscrits par des joueurs du @PSG_inside

🇦🇷 Di Maria ⚽️

🇫🇷 Mbappé ⚽️⚽️

🇺🇾 Cavani ⚽️⚽️

Eiffel. #CM2018 pic.twitter.com/juzElgIxIu

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 30, 2018

The best

It really is sad that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi don’t have better international team-mates.

0 – Neither Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi have scored a goal in a World Cup knockout match:

Ronaldo: 0 goals in 6 games from 25 shots (514 mins)
Messi: 0 goals in 8 games from 23 shots (756 mins)

Kryptonite.#WorldCup #URUPOR #FRAARG #POR #ARG pic.twitter.com/lgydl2UDb8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ok, maybe part of him was hurrying the game off, but the good in us thinks there was a moment where Ronaldo genuinely felt for his opponent, whose participation in Uruguay’s quarter final looks in doubt.

🇺🇾 Edinson Cavani goes off injured.

🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo helps him off the pitch.

💛 The Beautiful Game. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vFHjwHRV32

— SPORF (@Sporf) June 30, 2018

Belgium

Apparently, Adnan Januzaj can’t wait to come up against WWE wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura in the last 16.

🗣️ @adnanjanuzaj : "@ShinsukeN is a good guy and a great player. I am looking forward to seeing him"#REDTOGETHER #WorldCup
🔜 #BELJPN

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) June 30, 2018

Optimism

We all know it’s coming home.

💪 With Portugal gone, 3 of the 4 teams that have ended England’s World Cup hopes in the 7 times that they’ve got past the group stage since 1966 are now out.

It's. Coming. Home #ENG #URUPOR pic.twitter.com/iNJLdHuOZg

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 30, 2018