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Mbappe’s Brace Puts France Past Messi’s Argentina 4 – 3

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In the end, Argentina just did not have enough even with Lionel Messi. Two goals in the first half were followed by five in the second as France, with a brace from 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe took Les Bleus through to the quarterfinal. The PSG teenager was a constant threat, winning a penalty and scoring twice while Messi continued his record of not scoring in the second round of the World Cup.

First Half

France kicked off with Argentina starting Lionel Messi as the central striker with the licence to roam. Gonzalo Higuain was dropped and Cristian Pavon came in. Kylian Mbappe showed his speed to the Argentines and was taken out by Javier Mascherano as he approached the box. Antoine Griezmann stepped up and struck the crossbar.

On 11 minutes, Mbappe won the ball deep in France half and took off. He sprinted past Mascherano, Nicolas Otamendi before Marcos Rojo hauled him down in the box. Clear penalty. Griezmann stepped up and sent Franco Armani the wrong way.

Seven minutes later, Nicolas Tagliafico fouled Mbappe on the edge of the box after Pogba found the 19-year-old with a quick free kick. The free kick was blazed over by Pogba. Griezmann had a run into the box but his cutback was straight at Armani. Tagliafico had to be 100% accurate with a tackle on Mbappe in the 30th minute. Things got a little tasty on 32 minutes as Mascherano flew into Pogba after the French midfielder had dispossessed Messi.

Angel Di Maria then scored a contender for goal of the tournament when he let fly from 31 yards after he was not closed down. That was on 41 minutes and it was Argentina’s first shot on target. Mascherano was finally shown a yellow card on 42 minutes for a diving challenge on N’Golo Kante. Argentina were now having more joy with the ball and were pushing France back.

Second half

Federico Fazio replaced Rojo at the start of the second stanza and just three minutes into the second stanza, Argentina were ahead.

From a free kick, the ball was half-cleared and fell to Messi., who swiveled and shot at goal with Lloris well placed but the ball hits Mercado and wrong-footed the French goalkeeper. Fazio then almost gifted Griezmann a goal on 56 minutes but the path to goal was quickly closed.

France were on level terms in the 57th minute when a cross from France’s left back, Lucas Hernandez, found its way to his right back, Benjamin Pavard, who hammered a swerving shot past Armani.

Game on!!!

Mbappe pounced on a loose ball in the Argentina box in the 64th minute, twisted and powered a left-footer under Armani to give France the lead once again.

France’s fourth goal was a classic team move that started from the Goalkeeper, Lloris to Kante to Griezmann to Blaise Matuidi, who laid on to Giroud, who passed into Mbappe’s path and the teenager passed it past Armani. What a goal!

Sergio Aguero, on as a substitute got Argentina’s third in the second minute of added time from a Messi cross but it was too late for the two-time winners. The questions will continue for Messi.

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CAF Crowns Ademola Lookman As African Footballer of the Year

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Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.

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Panel Clears Mbappe of Rape Allegation

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The Swedish Prosecution Authority announced today that the inquiry into rape allegations against French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

This is according to multiple reports on Thursday morning.

The allegations had drawn international attention, casting a shadow over the football star’s career.

Mbappé, who had consistently denied the allegations, has yet to make an official statement regarding the decision

His legal team had previously emphasised his commitment to due process.

Mbappe was “linked to rape investigation in Sweden” and that he intended to reserve any explanations for the Swedish justice system “if necessary,” according to his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard.

“He prioritises providing his explanations, if required, to the Swedish judiciary,” Canu-Bernard told AFP, while strongly condemning “media allegations suggesting that Kylian Mbappé had commented on the events of his trip to Stockholm.”

The case, which began earlier this year, involved accusations stemming from an alleged incident in Stockholm. The prosecutor’s decision not to press charges marks the end of months of scrutiny and speculation.

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Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

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Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.
The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.
A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
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