France 4-3 Argentina PLAYER RATINGS: Kylian Mbappe deserves 9.5

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...

France

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.

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.

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

Argentina

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.

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.

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.