Corentin Tolisso and France are the first team to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In an entertaining last 16 tie, the Euro 2016 runners-up beat 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina 4-2. The French took the lead early on thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s penalty before the Argentines turned the game around with strikes from Angel di Maris and Gabriel Mercado. However, strikes from Benjamin Pavard and Kylian Mbappe inside 12 minutes again put Les Bleus on course for the last eight. Sergio Aguero got one back late on for Argentina, but it was too late. Tolisso had started the game on the bench but came on in the 75th minute.
Thiago and Spain to challenge hosts
Thiago and Spain also want to reach the quarter-finals when they face hosts Russia on Sunday at 16:00 CEST. “It’s correct that we haven’t shown our best football yet, but we’re Spain. We’re all here to win. It’d be really disappointing not to reach the next round,” the FCB midfielder said ahead of the game in Moscow. It is still not yet known whether head coach Fernando Hierro will pick him to start again as he did in the final group game against Morocco.
Colombia concern for James
Three days out from their last 16 match against England on Tuesday, there is concern in the Colombia camp over the fitness of James Rodriguez. The play-maker went off after 30 minutes in the last group game against Senegal. By Saturday afternoon it was still not exactly clear what the injury was. “I’m really concerned. It’s really tough for my team,” head coach Jose Pekerman had said after the Senegal match.
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