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France v Argentina Russia 2018 | Round of 16 Kazan Arena, Kazan
An all-time classic World Cup knockout tie saw two global heavyweights slug it out and a teenage Kylian Mbappe electrify.
Perhaps the game's most iconic moment, however, came courtesy of a French right-back.
Benjamin Pavard's goal – which drew Les Bleus level at 2-2 – was a thing of aesthetic beauty. When Lucas Hernandez’s centre evaded France's attackers and fell to Pavard on the edge of the box, he seized his chance to take aim, cutting across the ball to create the perfect amount of spin and swerve to send it curling into the top corner.
Reliving his spectacular strike, Pavard said: "The ball came across, and it took a bounce. I didn't hesitate, and I tried to get my body over the ball so it didn’t go flying over the bar. I attempted to send it back the way it came – that’s what strikers have always told me to do. I did it without thinking, and when I saw it hit the back of the net, I was overcome with joy."
The goal helped France to a 4-3 victory on their way to a second World Cup triumph, and Pavard's jaw-dropping effort also won the Goal of the Tournament award.
Sources: FIFA Official
