As soon as Argentina equalized the score for the first time in the much-anticipated France-Argentine match – and even more so after France ultimately snatched its 4-3 win – social media nearly burst at the seams with arrays of hilarious memes and gif-images just as dynamic as the clash itself.
19 year-old Kylian Mbappe is one of the unquestionable faves and a central hero of Twitter users’ admiring posts; his impeccable running efforts couldn’t have gone unnoticed either:
Though much of the focus before the game was on Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, it was Mbappe who produced a brilliant performance that will linger long in the memory.
Mbappe’s second-half double turned the game decisively in France’s favour, and inflicted more pain on Argentina in what may be their final chance to win the World Cup during Messi’s prime.
In doing so, the 19-year-old became the first teenager to score two in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.
Antoine Griezmann had already hit the bar with a free-kick by the time he put France ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, following a searing Mbappe run that was ended by a clumsy Marcos Rojo foul.
Argentina looked unable to reply for much of the first half, until Angel di Maria hauled his side level with a stunning long-range curler shortly before the break.