World Cup

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Attendance: 42,873

World Cup | Round of 16

Jun 30, 2018 at 3pm UK

France
4-3
Argentina

Griezmann (13' pen.), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90+3')

Didier Deschamps: 'France answered the call in World Cup last 16'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter

Published: June 30 2018 | 18:26

Last updated: July 1 2018 | 18:21

Didier Deschamps claims that his France side "answered the call" in Saturday's thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Didier Deschamps has claimed that France "answered the call" as they recorded a 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup.

A thrilling encounter in Kazan saw Les Bleus take the lead through an Antoine Griezmann penalty before the Albiceleste equalised through Angel Di Maria.

Argentina then edged in front via Gabriel Mercado's instinctive effort past Hugo Lloris, only for Benjamin Pavard's vicious strike from range to level proceedings once again.

Kylian Mbappe then proved the difference as his second-half brace secured victory for France, and Deschamps praised his side's "excellent mentality" against Lionel Messi's nation.

"We answered the call, we had a lot of character," Deschamps told reporters. "It was not easy because we were leading then conceded but we kept fighting.

"There was an excellent mentality. I am very proud and very happy for them. They have been preparing themselves for weeks and months. We couldn't miss it and we didn't miss it."

France will face Uruguay or Portugal in the quarter-finals.