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On Saturday, France play Argentina in the first, and probably most attractive, of the World Cup round of 16 matches. Neither of the teams set the world alight during their group matches, but they certainly have the players who could do the business when it comes down to the big games.
France snuck past Australia and Peru in their first games, before playing out a bore draw with Denmark in their final group game. They needed an own goal from Aziz Behich to beat the Australians, before Kylian Mbappe netted the winner against Peru. In doing so, Mbappe became the youngest player to score for France at a major tournament.
There are still doubts though about team selection, and the performances of some top players, including Paul Pogba, who has continued the below average form he put in for Manchester United last season.
Argentina required a win over Nigeria in their final group game to secure progression to the round of 16. They could only draw with Iceland in their first match, with Lionel Messi missing a penalty, before a poor performance against Croatia saw them beaten 3-0. Marcos Rojo was the unlikely here in the game with Nigeria, scoring a brilliant volley with just a few minutes left to send them through.
They are another camp that still have a number of issues, with reports suggesting that Jorge Sampaoli no longer has control of the players, and it was them who were responsible for picking the team to face Nigeria.
These are the players that would make up a combined XI of the two sides.
Hugo Lloris (France)
Questions were raised over Lloris’ form for Tottenham at times last season, but he is still a top-class goalkeeper. He is a key player in this French side as well, and is undoubtedly their number one. He hasn’t been tested too much in the tournament so far, but expect him to be busy if France go much further in the competition.
He hasn’t got too much competition from Argentina in this category. Willy Caballero was dropped after a shocking error against Croatia, and replaced by Franco Armani for the game against Nigeria, who made his international debut.
Gabriel Mercado (Argentina)
He’s not one of the better known names in the Argentina squad, but Mercado has had a decent tournament so far. He has been one of the better defenders in a pretty poor backline, and put in the cross to set up Rojo for his winning volley against Nigeria.
Raphael Varane (France)
As close as you’ll see to a world class centre-back between these sides. The Real Madrid man is a class act in defence, both when defending and in possession. He has had a good tournament up until now, with the only goal that France have conceded coming from a bizarre handball from Samuel Umtiti.
Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)
Otamendi has had his fair share of criticism in the last couple of years, but has silenced his doubters to some extent over the last 12 months. He was a key player for Manchester City in their record breaking run to the title, and is the leader of this Argentina back four. He hasn’t been at his best so far in the tournament, but he will have to be if Argentina are to go all the way in Russia.
Benjamin Mendy (France)
The most expensive full back in the world hasn’t had too much of an opportunity so far in this tournament, but he is an excellent defender. Lucas Hernandez hasn’t particularly impressed in the two games he has played, so don’t be surprised if he is left out when it comes to the knockout rounds. Mendy does seem to be returning to full fitness after recovering from a serious injury he picked up early in the season.
N’Golo Kante (France)
There are few players in the world who are as important to their team as N’Golo Kante. In a team with so many talented attacking players, for the French to have a player like Kante shielding the back four is crucial. Other than the Chelsea man and Steven N’Zonzi, who failed to impress in his only group game against Denmark, France have no other defensive minded midfielders in their squad. He is probably among the first names on the teamsheet, and will be hoping to continue his excellent form to take them all the way to Moscow for the final.
Ever Banega (Argentina)
There isn’t too much quality in the centre of midfield for Argentina, so Banega has a crucial role to play. He has regularly impressed at club level for Sevilla, but has often struggled to make the same impact on the international stage. However, if his pass to set up Lionel Messi against Nigeria is anything to go by, he has finally arrived on the international stage.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? This is likely to be Messi’s final World Cup, and he would love to finish his international career off by taking his national side all the way to the title. He struggled a little in the opening two games, missing a penalty against Iceland, but he came to life against Nigeria, and set them on their way to victory with a superb individual effort.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
If Messi is the present, Mbappe is certainly the future. At 19, he is already up there as one of the top players in the world, and has been one of the few bright sparks for France so far this tournament. His pace and ability to go past players is one that not many have in that French squad, and there is already a lot of responsibility riding on his shoulders. He got the winner against Peru, and is one of few players guaranteed a start in the round of 16.
Antoine Griezmann (France)
Griezmann offers France that real X-factor up front. At 27, he should be hitting his peak, and this World Cup is the perfect opportunity for him to show that he is up there with Messi and Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world. He has been playing alongside Olivier Giroud in the last couple of games, which perhaps suits his style of play more, much like playing with Diego Costa for Atletico Madrid.
Sergio Aguero (Argentina)
Aguero is another man who has made a name for himself in club football, but has never quite done it on the international stage. The 30-year-old is one the best natural finishers in the world, and this showed with his brilliant goal against Iceland in the opening match. He is likely to compete with Gonzalo Higuain for a place in the side, but after the Juventus man’s showing against Nigeria, Aguero probably isn’t too worried.
