Kylian Mbappe scored two goals as France rallied back from one goal down to beat Argentina 4-3 in the first knock out game at the 2018 World Cup.
Mbappe who was enterprising early on won the free kick that was converted by Antoine Griezmann as Les Blues took the lead.
But Argentina were level after PSG forward Angel di Maria scored a sublime volley from outside the 18 yard shortly before the break.
Thousands of raucous South American supporters were sent into raptures when Gabriel Mercado diverted a Messi shot past Hugo Lloris to give Jorge Sampaoli’s side the lead.
But Benjamin Pavard’s stunning strike levelled the scores, and 11 minutes later Mbappe had scored twice – two clinical finishes that ensured the 2014 beaten finalists would be going home at the last 16.
For the first he swept body and ball into space before driving past Franco Armani to score, while the second was swept in crisply at the end of a counter-attack as Argentina chased another leveller.
Substitute Sergio Aguero did get a late consolation – a low header from a pin-point Messi cross in the 93rd minute.
READ: Messi not dictating Argentina tactics – Sampaoli
But this defeat will raise many questions, including about Messi’s international future, and that of manager Sampaoli.
France, meanwhile, will go on to play Uruguay or Portugal, who meet in Sochi on Saturday at 19:00 BST.
– Les Bleus warning after sluggish start –
Despite their obvious attacking talent, there were still plenty of questions around this France team after a group phase during which they never really hit their stride.
Les Bleus qualified comfortably as Group C winners but laboured to a win over Australia, beat Peru unconvincingly then played out a dire draw with Denmark, the only 0-0 of the tournament so far.
They must have just been waiting for the knockout stage to start, because here we finally witnessed the kind of blistering display many expected sooner, with Mbappe the embodiment.
