2. Kylian Mbappe is destined for Bigger Things
Kylian Mbappe just announced himself to world football on its biggest stage. Marcus Rojo couldn’t deal with his storming run from deep in the French half and that was just a sign of things to come. He netted twice in the second half with clinical finishing and caused plenty of issues for the Argentine defence.
It is one of the gifts of being the most talented teenager footballer in the world that Kylian Mbappe makes fast defenders look slow and slow defenders look ridiculous, although in the end, this was about bigger things than just a first half demolition of poor old Marcos Rojo.
The 19-year-old’s savage turn of speed that won France the penalty for their first goal saw him flash before our eyes in real time while simultaneously the careers of half a dozen Argentinian defenders and midfielders were flashing before theirs. One of those moments that every old pro recognises when the legs are getting slower, the youngsters are getting quicker and the best they can hope for is to kick him before he reaches the area.
It was an incredible performance for a 19-year-old playing in his first knockout game of a major tournament but a more organised defence will be much savvier to his game. Regardless, he’s one to watch in the next round.