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#1 Messi vs Kante
The battle between these two exceptional players might decide the final score of the first round of 16 game. Having found his goal scoring form, Messi proved his critics wrong by scoring a wonderful goal against Nigeria, and will look to increase his goal tally against France.
Kante on the other hand has played very well for France in the group stage. Being responsible for breaking the opposition's counter-attack, he will be entrusted with the role of man-marking Lionel Messi as he was the creator of many Argentinian attacks in the group stage.
Kante's defensive abilities and tactical awareness may isolate Messi as it happened against Rakitic in Argentina's 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Having scored 1 goal in 3 matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Messi became only the 3rd Argentinian after Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta to score in 3 World Cups. Kante was at his best against Australia as he won the ball 14 times for France.
An in-form Messi will try to make the life of France's defenders miserable, hence Kante is the shield which will try to protect them against the magic of Lionel Messi.
