France vs. Argentina
Round of 16, Kazan Arena, Kazan
Neither squad has hit its stride, but both are hoping to Saturday in one of the marquee matchups of the Round of 16.
Argentina limped through the group stage and narrowly escaped to the knockout round with an 86th-minute goal from defender Marcos Rojo to beat Nigeria. Star striker Lionel Messi said after the match that, during group play, he “could not remember such suffering before.”
France finished at the top of Group C with seven points, but still received criticism for not showing top form.