Who said knockout games are supposed to be boring? In the best game of the World Cup so far, France narrowly managed to defeat Argentina in a 4-3 thriller. The game had everything: spectacular goals, masterful assists, mazy dribbles and crunching tackles. For France, this game showed that the team may have overcome some of the attacking lethargy present earlier in the tournament as Kylian Mbappe ran all over the Argentine defence. So how did France’s players' rate in this World Cup classic? Manager and Goalkeeper: Didier Deschamps- 6 His tactics seemed baffling at the beginning of the game as he again chose to play Blaise Matuidi on the left wing. Moreover, France’s tendency to sit back and defend seemed to have failed when Argentina led 2-1. However, in the end, Deschamps was vindicated as Mbappe and Giroud (his most controversial selection) combined on several occasions to tear apart the Argentine defence. Hugo Lloris - 6 Hugo Lloris The Tottenham goalkeeper will be disappointed to have conceded three goals but the reality is that the French captain could have done nothing about any of them. Otherwise, he didn’t have make any meaningful save. Lloris’s distribution was excellent throughout. Defenders Lucas Hernandez Benjamin Pavard - 7 The World Cup has a strange way of making heroes out of the most anonymous players. Pavard was probably the least well-known of France’s star-studded squad coming into the tournament as the backup right-back. Two weeks later, he struck what may have been the goal of the tournament. It was the perfect volley- struck sweetly into the top corner. The Stuttgart player was a constant threat going forward. However, Pavard switched off in the last twenty minutes as his mistakes enabled Aguero to grab Argentina’s third. Raphael Varane - 7 Absolutely imperious in the centre of the park- Varane was probably the best centre-back on either side in this shootout. He continuously shut down any threat posed by the Argentines. This was especially prominent when Varane made countless interventions to stop Angel Di Maria after the latter had beaten Pavard. He was also the only French defender who did not switch off after France’s fourth goal and thus helped cover for his teammate’ mistakes. Samuel Umtiti - 5 The Barcelona defender has still not reached his best in the tournament. He was strangely indecisive throughout as Varane had to cover for his mistakes on several occasions. Like Varane, he probably should have done more to close down Di Maria for Argentina’s first. Also switched off after France’s fourth as he let Messi and Di Maria get behind on numerous occasions. Lucas Hernandez - 8 I’ll admit that when Benjamin Mendy was ruled out of this game, I was a little worried about how the inexperienced Lucas Hernandez would cope with the star-studded Argentina attack. Needless to say, he proved that those worries were moot. Hernandez was brilliant defensively as he rendered Cristian Pavon ineffective- making five tackles and one interception. In the second half, Hernandez bombed down the left and made countless crucial crosses. It was his dangerous delivery that Pavard blasted into the goal for France’s second. It was another cross that enabled Kylian Mbappe to rifle home France’s third. Midfielders Kylian Mbappe N’Golo Kante - 7 Kante put in his usual brilliant performance in defensive midfield. The Chelsea midfielder tracked Messi throughout as he forced the Argentine superstar to regularly drop back into midfield and thus rendered him ineffective for most parts of the game. Even when Messi and his teammates received the ball, Kante was crucial as he made three tackles and three interceptions in the game. This spectacular defensive work was also complemented by Kante’s energy going forward- his pass began the move for the first goal. Kante’s only fault in the game was his failure to close down Di Maria for Argentina’s first. Paul Pogba - 6 An unusually quiet game for the Manchester United midfielder who has been excellent throughout the tournament. He was overshadowed by the likes of Griezmann, Mbappe and Giroud. Nonetheless, he still managed to exert influence with one key pass and two dribbles. Pogba was better in the second half when his energy and runs caused confusion in the Argentine defence- enabling Mbappe’s double. Blaise Matuidi - 6 In some ways, Matuidi did not make the contribution that should be expected of a left midfielder/winger in this French side. However, that was not his fault as he was being played out of position by Deschamps. Despite this, Matuidi worked hard and managed to make a positive impact on the game. He tracked back well as he made two tackles and two interceptions- such discipline allowed Lucas Hernandez to overlap and bomb forward. While he was ineffective going forward, it was Matuidi’s pass that allowed Hernandez to make the cross for Pavard’s equalizer. Kylian Mbappe - 10 There are moments in the world of football (and indeed sports) when a player announces his arrival into the sport’s elite. Today, those of us watching the pre-quarterfinal were lucky to witness such a moment. Mbappe has been a star for a year already but today was the day where he announced his arrival as a true superstar. When Mbappe received the ball in his own half in the tenth minute, very few would have anticipated what they were about to witness. Mbappe made the type of thunderous run that has only been matched in World Cup history by Diego Maradona and Michael Owen. It earned France a penalty which Griezmann duly converted. Mbappe would get two of his own later in the game as his intelligent running, mazy dribbling and clinical finishing culminated in one of the best performances in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Strikers Griezmann and Giroud Antoine Griezmann - 7 Usually excellent for the Les Blues, Griezmann has not matched his usual standards in this World Cup. The Atletico Madrid striker was a major threat throughout for the Argentine defence. He calmly converted a brilliant penalty to open the scoring. Perhaps Griezmann’s biggest contribution to this game (after the penalty) was the defensive shift he put in. Griezmann made several crucial tackles (including on Messi) when tracking back. Finally, No.7’s backheel helped begin the team move that culminated in France’s fourth goal. Oliver Giroud - 7 To be honest, I thought that Giroud was the worst French player on the pitch in the first half. He contributed nothing to the team’s dynamic attack. Often he ruined promising moves with a bad first touch that allowed Argentinian defenders to pounce on his mistakes. However, in the second period, Giroud was excellent as his exemplary hold-up play enabled France’s brilliant counter-attacks. His back-heel for the fourth goal was absolutely splendid.<doc-sep>France became the first nation through to the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals after a 4-3 victory over Argentina in one of the best games of the tournament so far. A thrilling encounter full of long range strikes, defensive errors and attacking brilliance ended with the French triumphing to send Lionel Messi and co home. Here, Sportsmail rate the players who took part in Saturday's fantastic game in Kazan... Was this the performance that truly announces Kylian Mbappe as a world-leading star? France player ratings Hugo Lloris - 6 Could do nothing about Argentina's two goals, whether beaten by a brilliant strike or an unfortunate deflection. Benjamin Pavard - 7.5 Goal of the tournament winner? Any footballer in the world would have been proud of the 25-yard strike from the Stuttgart defender. Raphael Varane - 6.5 Solid at the back, although conceding three will remain a concern, even against such a talented attack. Samuel Umtiti - 6.5 Looked shaky in the opening minutes, he improved as the game went on but still struggled to contain team mate Messi. Any footballer in the world would have been proud of the 25-yard strike from Benjamin Pavard Lucas Hernandez - 6 Did little to dissuade the notion that full back remains France's weakest area. Paul Pogba - 7.5 An impressively dominant midfield display full of invention. N'Golo Kante - 7 The stereotypical Kante performance - industrious and energetic enough to suggest France had more than 11 men on the pitch. Paul Pogba was excellent for France, dominating the midfield and full of inventive play Blaise Matuidi - 7.5 Helped France dominate the midfield before being rested midway through the second half. Will miss the quarter final. Kylian Mbappe - 9.5 His phenomenal pace made Rojo look very foolish for the penalty, the skill before his first goal was superb, the finish for his second was even better. The performance that truly announces him as a world-leading star? Olivier Giroud - 6 Lovely touch to Mbappe to set up goal No 4, but otherwise the least effective French attacker. Antoine Griezmann - 7 Coolly slotted home the opener. Some concerns that he is yet to score from open play at this tournament. Subs: Corentin Tolisso - 6 Nabil Fekir - 6 Florian Thauvin - N/A This was a limp way to bow out for Lionel Messi - although his assist for Aguero was superb Argentina player ratings Franco Armani - 5 Beaten four times and certainly should have done better with No 3, Mbappe's first. No great improvement on Caballero. Gabriel Mercado - 6 Argentina's second goal was fortunate, although he did well to react and shape his foot to guide the ball past Lloris. Nicolas Otamendi - 5.5 Supposed to lead the flimsy Argentine defence, but proved as unable to stifle the blue onslaught any more than his team mates. Marcos Rojo - 5 Embarrassed by Mbappe, who he brought down for the early penalty. Shaky throughout the first 45 minutes and hooked at half time. Nicolas Tagliafico - 6 The Argentine defender who leaves the World Cup with the most credit - although the competition is not fierce. Marcos Rojo brought down Mbappe for France's penalty and looked shaky throughout Enzo Perez - 5.5 Hooked for Aguero on 66 minutes, Sampaoli's loyalty to the midfielder has not been backed by stellar displays. Javier Mascherano - 5.5 Booked and would have missed the quarter final had Argentina made it. Proved that it is a tournament too far for him. Ever Banega - 6 Another who would have been unavailable for the last eight after a booking. Not as creative or impressive as against Nigeria. Christian Pavon - 6 Replaced Gonzalo Higuain in the starting line-up, and failed to create enough to suggest it was the right call. Angel Di Maria - 7 Scored arguably the goal of the tournament so far - until Pavard went one better. Lionel Messi - 6.5 His final World Cup match? A limp way to bow out for such a special player - although his assist for Aguero was superb. Angel Di Maria scored arguably the goal of the tournament - until Pavard went one better Subs: Federico Fazio - 5 Replaced the error-prone Rojo, however his abysmal back-pass almost set up Griezmann after bemusing Armani. Sergio Aguero - 7 Should he have started? His perfectly finished header late on suggests yes. Maxi Meza - N/A Did not have enough time to turn the game around.<doc-sep>Where do you start, then, with the game that had pretty much everything? An ascendant star truly announcing himself on the biggest stage, a generational superstar fading to black, the lead changing hands almost as often as possession and, in the end, seven goals that varied in quality from deflection by a dangling leg to unstoppable howitzer and virtually everything in between. This might have been the first meeting of two legitimate World Cup contenders in the second round since Brazil went down to Argentina at Italia ’90, and even if these were two sides who haven’t played to their ceiling yet in this tournament it only left everyone absolutely floored in a modern classic of a knockout game. Kylian Mbappe will hog the headlines for his performance, though it feels peculiar for a player who has already changed hands for €200m to need some sort of global coming-out party, a moment where he truly announces himself to the planet as the real thing. But this was truly it, a devastating performance that with seemingly every touch knocked a fragile Argentinean team further off-balance until they fell completely flat and out of the World Cup. France vs Argentina: Player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 France vs Argentina: Player ratings France vs Argentina: Player ratings France AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Hugo Lloris - 6 out of 10 Could do nothing for Di Maria’s wonder goal, and a cruel deflection on Messi’s strike. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Benjamin Pavard - 8 At just 22, he showed plenty of experience and kept Di Maria quiet, for the goal Di Maria went into the middle, getting no joy from Pavard down the left. Scored a screamer to equalise, and brought France back into the match. FIFA via Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Raphael Varane - 7 Could do little for Di Maria’s individual goal, and played out well from the back. FIFA via Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Samuel Umtiti - 7 With only Messi to contend with in a false nine role in the first half, had little to do, with the only goal coming from range. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Lucas Hernandez - 6 Dealt well with most he encountered, but against an inform player could be a weakness in the quarter finals. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Paul Pogba - 8 After a slow start, he grew into the game and sprayed some wonderful passes out to Griezmann and Mbappe. Finally showed his massive potential. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Ngolo Kante - 7 Calm and composed in possession, looks to have time on the ball even in a crowded midfield. Corbis via Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Blaise Matuidi - 8 His experience and reading of the game prevented Banega and Messi combining as they did against Nigeria, and he’ll be a big miss in the quarters after picking up his second yellow of the tournament. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Kylian Mbappe - 9 The star of the first half show, his pace and power earnt the penalty, and left Otamendi and Rojo in his wake, before adding two goals of his own. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Olivier Giroud - 7 A quiet showing from the frontman. Struggled to connect with Griezmann, and inches away from connecting with a Pavard cross. Fought to the end and gave everything. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Antoine Griezmann - 8 Calm from the penalty spot for the opener and caused problems with his pace. Struggled to combine with Giroud with his final ball, but performed well overall. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Argentina Getty France vs Argentina: Player ratings Franco Armani - 4 Committed too early for Griezmann’s penalty, rooted to the spot for his free kick that hit the bar, should’ve done better for Mbappe’s second. Adjudged to be the best of a poor three Argentinian goalkeepers – not on this showing. Sergei Savostyanov/TASS France vs Argentina: Player ratings Gabriel Mercado - 5 Lucky to escape a yellow card for a challenge on Kante, and one of many to look uncomfortable against French pace in attack, lost his discipline towards the end. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Nicolas Otamendi - 6 Dealt well with Giroud, but looked vulnerable with the pace and power of Mbappe and trickery of Griezmann. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Marcos Rojo - 4 From hero to villain, at fault for the French penalty, and looked out of his depth against the flying Frenchman Mbappe withdrawn at half-time. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Nicolas Tagliafico - 6 One of the better Argentinian defenders despite his inexperience, also tried to get forward wherever he could. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Cristian Pavon - 6 One of the players that shouldered the burden of trying to support Messi, but the combination of a French defence and Kante sitting in front left little space for him. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Javier Mascherano - 6 A yard short of the pace, and his midfield passes that once looked genius, now just take too much time and go backwards. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Enzo Perez - 5 A quiet first half, and replaced by Aguero early in the second half. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Angel Di Maria - 7 Everything he has been for quite a while now, inconsistent but has the talent to change a game, and his strike will be up there for goal of the tournament. AFP/Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Ever Banega - 6 Struggled to link up with Messi as he did against Nigeria, but worked hard and tried to help in defence too. Getty Images France vs Argentina: Player ratings Lionel Messi - 6 A quiet first half in a false nine position with team mates that left him to dig deeper and deeper for the ball, needed a striker to work with and Aguero’s introduction was too late for him. Yegor Aleyev/TASS In the first half it was simply his running, his electric dribbling of the ball that Argentina couldn’t handle. In the second it was his positioning and his finishing but throughout it was a jet-powered speed that the slow, crumbling Argentina defence never had a hope of stopping. For Lionel Messi it was not how he wanted it to end; blown away on a steaming-hot afternoon in Kazan, struggling to make an impact himself but ultimately let down by a defence that struggled against average opponents in the group stage and was then destroyed by elite ones when it mattered. Recommended Five things we learned from France vs Argentina His Argentina team lacked what they had all tournament - quality in defence and clarity in idea. Jorge Sampaoli had shuffled his cards in each of the four games without ever being able to settle on a plan, shape or lineup. Those players he did persist with were the wrong ones and those who were marooned on the bench throughout the competition, or in some circumstances at home, might just have been what was needed. Sampaoli has incinerated all goodwill towards him back home with the three chaotic group games that preceded this, culminating in his name being jeered by Argentina fans when it was read out pre-match. Going home may not be an option for a while, but with half an hour to go it felt as if Didier Deschamps might have been in the same boat. From there, Argentina capsized. In a game of to-and-fro, Argentina started the better side but this team is too fragile to start to believe in itself and as soon as they started creeping up the field and trying to truly dominate proceedings the house came tumbling down, destroyed by a a teenage forward whose game-changing, electrifying run through the middle of the field to win France a penalty was reminiscent of Ronaldo in his prime. Mbappe won the penalty in the first-half (EPA)<doc-sep>
France got themselves through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup as Kylian Mbappe tore Argentina to shreds in Kazan. France tested first inside the first ten minutes - Mbappe won a free kick 20 yards outside the Argentine goal, which Antoine Griezmann stepped up and curled onto the crossbar. Mbappe was involved again minutes later, running from his box into the Argentine box before being hauled down by Marcos Rojo, winning a penalty that Grizmann tucked away. Despite not looking like they were asking questions of the French goal, Di Maria got the ball miles out from goal and unleashed a rocket that nearly took the back of Hugo Lloris' net off to equalise for Argentina in the 42nd minute. And Agrentina got themselves ahead in fortunate fashion - Lionel Messi's shot hit Mercado, leaving Lloris flat footed with the ball hitting the back of the net, much against the run of play. But whatever Di Maria could do, Benjamin Pavard could do better as his sliced effort beat Franco Armani to grab his first France goal and equalise for the French. Mbappe was having a stunning game and he got his goal to restore France's lead - tucking his effort under Armani to make it 3-2. And then he got his second when he slotted under Armani after latching onto Olivier Giroud's through ball as France ripped Argentina to shreds. But there was a big finish as Messi's cross found Sergio Aguero at the back stick who nodded home to make it 4-3. France Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris - 7 Showed his ability early on in the 24th minute when he was quick off his line to smother Perez as he was played through on goal. Could do nothing about either Argentina goal. Right back: Benjamin Pavard - 8 Took him a while to get forward down the right but produced some really good crosses when he did. Absolutely stunning strike to equalise. (Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) Centre back: Raphael Varane - 7 Did well alongside Umtiti in dealing with what Argentina had when they went forward. Centre back: Samuel Umtiti - 7 Solid performance from the centre back as he dealt with the Argentine attacks fairly well through the game. Left back: Lucas Hernandez - 8 Attacked down the left well while dealt with what Pavon had to offer down his flank. Lovely assists for Pavard's goal. Central midfield: Paul Pogba - 9 Demonstrated his ability with a lovely pass to Mbappe that cut Argentine to ribbons. Had one of his best performances for a while with his dominance in central midfield. (Image: Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Central midfield: N'Golo Kante - 8 Another solid display from Kante who seemed to know where the space and passes were years ahead of anyone else on the pitch. Left attacking midfield: Blaise Matuidi - 7 Good display down the left and released a lovely pass that found Hernandez, whose cross found Pavard to equalise. Superb performance but will miss the next game after getting a yellow, which is a blow. Central attacking midfield: Antoine Griezmann - 8 Nearly opened the scoring with a lovely free kick that cannoned off the crossbar. Got his goal after tucking away a penalty in the 12th minute. Had a really good game up top along with Mbappe. (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Right attacking midfield: Kylian Mbappe - 10 Started brightly with his directness and pace causing all types of problems, winning France a penalty with a lovely run. Caused Argentina problem after problem up top. Got a much deserved goal to put his country ahead again and bagged his second just minutes later. Forward: Olivier Giroud - 8 Had a poor first half for France as he struggled to get into the tie with nothing really coming off for the striker. Lovely touch and through ball to set up Mbappe for his second goal. Substitutes: Corentin Tolisso (Blaise Matuidi 54') - 6 Came on to get minutes and some game time with him being the man looking like to take Matuidi's place in the quarter final. Nabil Fekir (Antoine Griezmann 83') - 5 Didn't have enough time to have a say on the game. Florian Thauvin (Kylian Mbappe 87') Had no time to get into the game coming on with just three minutes left. Argentina Goalkeeper: Franco Armani - 5 Should've done better with France's third goal and will be disappointed that the ball squirmed underneath him.