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The knock out stages of the FIFA World Cup 2018 kicks off with a high profile encounter between Argentina and France. Both the teams have a rich a heritage and a high pride to lead them forward, they also feature some of the best players in the world. But when Lionel Messi and Antoine Greezmann face off in what could be one of the matches of the tournament, one of them has to go home early.
Argentina reached the round of 16 after surviving a major scare, finishing behind Croatia with 4 points on the Group D tables. Whereas France booked their tickets to the last 16 by topping the Group C, where they were undefeated in all three matches. The Recent stats suggest that France is better placed to win this tie, but with an inspired Lionel Messi in the lineup, no one can write off Argentina.
Besides the Messi factor, Argentina has a few more elements to favour them in their knock out encounter against France. Let us check out what are the components that could help Argentina edge ahead of the French side:
#4 The Underdog Tag
Argentina had numerous problems throughout their group stage matches including wrong tactics and team selection. There were even reports of a rift between players and manager at one stage. But the one that haunted them the most was the burden of expectations.
Hailed as the greatest ever player in the history of the game, Argentinians did not expect anything less than silverware from their talisman Lionel Messi. Such a pressure had visibly affected their performance.
They entered all of their group stage games as the favourites to win. A pressure that they could not cope with until the game against Nigeria, where they showed glimpses of a comeback. They are undoubtedly the underdogs in the game against France. Based on the recent statistics, France would feel this is a game they are ought to win.
On the other hand, Argentina finally approaches a game where they are not the favourites to win and their only goal will be to put up a fight. This freedom will help Messi and company to up the ante.
#3 The Experience Counts
The big match experience behind your sleeves is a real bonus when going into a knock out match. Here, what differentiates these teams the most is their international experience.
Although Argentina did not seem to benefit much from the vast experience of their players in the group stage matches, it may come handy for them at the perfect time. Moreover, it will be more about the French side's lack of experience than the numbers of their counterparts.
France has the youngest squad among the remaining 16 teams, with an average age of 26 years for their players. Although they are very talented, it is yet to be seen how they cope with the big match pressure.
Many of their stars including Mbappe, were prolific in the league games, but we have seen them struggle in the knock out matches of the Champions League. This lack of experience of the French side can help Argentina to come out on top on Saturday.
#2 Momentum Matters
Argentina is coming to this match after a hard fought win against Nigeria. They had to push themselves to the limits in an effectively knock out game in their final group stage match. Overcoming such scares can lift the spirits of a squad.
Moreover, they were under severe pressure in at least 240 of their 270 minutes on the pitch. Although these are not the great signs for a team, the momentum they carry after all that can be the difference in their encounter against France.
France, on the other hand, is coming into this match after playing out the only goalless draw of the tournament so far. They had allowed rest to half of their starting eleven in their final group stage match against Denmark.
Despite finishing on the top of the Group, France is yet to showcase a performance that sends a warning signal to their opponents. In a match between two underperforming sides, Argentina's momentum can help them to overcome the French challenge.
#1 Lionel Messi
The poor form of Lionel Messi has hurt Argentina than anything else in their first two group stage matches. However, he proved that form is temporary and class is permanent by scoring an amazing Goal against Nigeria.
Argentina will be hoping that their captain carries the good form into the knock out stages. The inclusion of Ever Banega has changed the dynamics of the Argentine side, which saw an increased supply to Messi. If he plays on top of his game, not many teams in the world can stop him from scoring.
Arguably the greatest of all time, Messi will be looking to achieve one thing that has eluded him so far. This could perhaps be the last chance for him to win a trophy with his national team.
Although he found such expectations a little too heavy to handle, the goal against Nigeria is good enough to ease the pressure. Let alone France, no team in the world is going to stop him if what we saw against Nigeria was a come back to his prolific form.
It is never going to be easy for Argentina against a star-studded French team, but all these factors can come together to hand them a hard-fought narrow victory.
