Remembering Previous World Cup matches Between Argentina and France 

As we kick off the knockout stages of the World Cup today with Argentina facing off against France in Kazan Arena as they try to seal a place in the quarter-finals. This will be third time Argentina and France will be facing each other in the World Cup and the first time since 1978.

Argentina is unbeaten in this World Cup fixture after registering victories in both their previous meetings with the Europeans. Let's take a look at how the previous matches paved out.

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#1 1930 World Cup: Argentina 1-0 France

The first-ever meeting between the two sides was in 1930.

The inaugural World Cup saw future two-time World Cup winners Argentina drawn into the same group as France in group A. On 15 July 1930, Les Blues and La Albiceleste faced off against each other in the second match of Group A for the first time in a World Cup.

The Argentinians came into this match as the reigning Olympic Silver Medalists with skilfull players such as Luis Monti, Juan Evaristo, Manuel Ferreira (who were all part of the Olympic Silver medal winning side) and Guillermo Stábile (the second highest goalscorer for Argentina in World Cup history) in their midst.

Meanwhile, France came into this match after trouncing Mexico 4-1 in the inaugural match of the World Cup with Lucien Laurent having the luck of being the first player to score in a World Cup match.

In a match with less detailed records, Argentina came through with an 81st-minute goal from Monti as they defeated France 1-0 to record their first ever victory in the World Cup.

#2 1978 World Cup: Argentina 2-1 France

The second meeting between the teams in 1978 ended with a 2-1 victory for Argentina

It took 44 years for the next meeting between the teams as once again they were drawn into the same group. This time both teams faced off against each other in the second match of group 1 with France needing at least a point against Argentina after they had lost their opening match to Italy while Argentina started off with a victory over Chile

The eventual 1978 World Cup winners Argentina squad consisted of players such as Mario Kempes and future two-time World Cup winner Daniel Passarella as captain while the French squad consisted of Henri Michel and future three-time Balon d'Or winner Michel Platini in their midst.

In a game marred by controversy where France were denied a number of penalties, it was the French who had the upper hand as Argentina failed to stop the impressive Michel Platini, who was playing a gem of a match.

But despite all the advantage, it was La Albiceleste who scored first as Daniel Passarella slotted in a 45th-minute penalty for the hosts.

With a defeat and exit from the World Cup on the cards, it was France again who started off the second half in impressive fashion mounting attack after attack. Finally, the breakthrough came as Platini scored the equaliser for Les Blues in the 60th minute of the match.

But it was Argentina who had the last laugh as Leopoldo Luque scored int he 73rd minute to give La Albiceleste a 2-1 lead with 17 minutes left in the match. In spite of France's efforts, Argentina won the match 2-1 as France exited the tournament while Argentina next faced Italy for a chance to top their Group.

Argentina went on to win the 1978 World Cup becoming only the sixth nation ever to win a World Cup and also the fifth country to win it as the hosts.

Will Lionel Messi and co help Argentina win their third consecutive match against France in the World Cup or will the young and vibrant France finally get one over Argentina?