Summary

  • Fifth-ranked Argentina against seventh-ranked France

  • First meeting between sides in knockout stage

  1. Postpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France striker Antoine GriezmannImage source, .

    France striker Antoine Griezmann: "I hope to raise my level again in the last 16.

    "It was the same at the Euros. It wasn't until the last 16 that I hit my stride. So we'll see. I have confidence in my game."

    I was at that game and unfortunately as a Republic of Ireland fan I can confirm he did find his form, scoring twice in a 2-1 win.

  2. 'The competition starts now'published at 14:23 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    Julien Laurens
    French football expert on BBC Radio 5 live

    There is a little bit of concern among French fans but the competition really starts now. A lot of the fans are hoping they will turn it on now, like they did at Euro 2016 when there was a transition from the group games to the knockout stages.

  3. Postpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    The French haven't lost in their last eight World Cup matches against South American opposition at the World Cup, since a 2-1 defeat by Argentina in 1978.

  4. Messi one booking away from banpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    Lionel Messi is one of nine players who are one yellow card away from missing the quarter-finals.

    Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega and Messi are the six Argentines in danger.

    And Corentin Tolisso, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi are the France players who will have to be careful.

    Single yellows aren't wiped until after the quarters.

  5. Postpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    An impressive BBC One line-up today. Coverage starts at 14:30 BST.

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  6. Postpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    Tim Vickery
    South American football expert

    Sampaoli thinks that if you want to attack, orthodox wing-backs are not important. So he would often play with a back three or a back four with wingers.

    Against Nigeria, the players just wanted to play a normal back four with recognised centre-backs and wing backs, which is what they did.

  7. And another image to unsettle you...published at 14:12 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    Aguero, Messi and HiguainImage source, AFP
  8. 'Of course Messi feels the pressure'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    BBC Sport pundit and former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta spills the beans on his old friend Lionel Messi - is he really the greatest player of all time (GOAT) or just a normal guy?

    "Fans and some parts of the media in Argentina are too much on him, so of course he feels the pressure," the West Ham player told BBC Sport.

    "He is a human being and it is not easy to be the best player in the world."

    Media caption,

    World Cup 2018: Is Argentina's Lionel Messi the GOAT or a mere human?

    I'm sorry if that Messi-goat hybrid haunts your dreams.

  9. Postpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    Get ready for some nightmares

  10. Postpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    Since the introduction of the last 16 in 1986, France have always made it past that stage whenever they've reached it (1986, 1998, 2006 and 2014).

  11. Postpublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    Some great banners already on display inside the Kazan Arena at the Argentina end. Atmosphere is building nicely.

    .Image source, Rex Features
  12. Postpublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

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  13. World Cup Daily podcastpublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    The World Cup is back in action after the rest day, as Mark Chapman is joined by Steve Wilson, Ed Malyon, Rafa Honigstein and Gabriele Marcotti to chat Uruguay v Portugal and France v Argentina.

    They find out that Jorge Sampaoli and Roy Hodgson are quite similar and the perils of sharing a house with a bunch of journalists.

    Listen/download here.

  14. Postpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

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  15. Team newspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    .Image source, .

    France boss Didier Deschamps reacts to last Tuesday's goalless draw with Denmark by making six changes to that weakened side.

    Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defenders Benjamin Pavard and Samuel Umtiti, midfielders Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi, as well as 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe, are all recalled.

    Those making way include Steve Mandanda, Djibril Sidibe, Presnel Kimpembe, Steven Nzonzi, Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Lemar.

    Benjamim Mendy is injured.

    France XI: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Kylian Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud.

    .Image source, .

    Just the one change for Argentina from the side that beat Nigeria 2-1 to reach the knockout stage.

    There is no Gonzalo Higuain, the Juventus forward's place in the side taken by 22-year-old Cristian Pavon. Sergio Aguero is also on the bench.

    We expect Lionel Messi to play as the centre forward/striker/false nine.

    Argentina XI: Armani, Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico, Perez, Mascherano, Banega, Pavon, Messi, Di Maria.

  16. Stickers chatpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    BBC

    BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Stark tries to hunt down his missing six 2006 stickers.

    If that sounds like it might interest you, click here to find out more.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    #bbcworldcup

    Axel: A lot of people already assuming France has this one in the pocket, but remember this Argentina squad is based on the ones playing in Europe, several familiar faces there. 2-1 for Messi's Team

    Roshimon: After a day's rest I'm in full energy and ready to watch URU v POR and FRA v ARG. It's a super Saturday and it could be one of the best days of this World Cup

    Duncan: I don't really like ARG or FRA but this piece of paper I drew in the sweepstakes is swaying me towards France

  18. More Messi magic?published at 13:53 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    Patrick Jennings
    BBC Sport in Kazan

    Lionel MessiImage source, Getty Images

    So here we are again. Argentina fans have got that familiar gut feeling, as expectation settles intensely on one man alone once more.

    Everyone will tell you the same thing: that only the best Lionel Messi can lift the nation past France's impressive line-up and into the World Cup quarter-finals.

    Didier Deschamps says he has a plan to stop him. Jorge Sampaoli says he has a plan to help him, despite the busy background noise of an unsettled dressing room.

    Messi shared with us a magical glimpse of his talent in those three perfect touches against Nigeria in Argentina's crucial final group game.

    We'll soon see what he can do today, in one of the most compelling ties of the last 16.

  19. 'We have a plan to get the best out of Messi'published at 13:50 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli suggested his team-mates should give "the best player on earth" as much help as possible.

    "Leo has such clear vision when it comes to football that he allows us to see things that, sometimes, only a true genius sees.

    "It's often difficult to be at the level of such a great player. He's a shining light for us all, and we have to do our very best to all try to be at his level.

    "I'm sure France has a plan to neutralise Leo and we have a plan to get the best out of him, let's see whose plan works best.

    "He's the best player on earth but we also have other players that can cause France some problems."

  20. Breaking team newspublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 30 June 2018

    France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

    No Gonzalo Higuain or Sergio Aguero today for Argentina. Lionel Messi as a false nine?

    France have made six changes from the under-strength team who drew with Denmark.

    More detailed team news soon.

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