Argentina have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Cup final against France. Les Bleus endured a poor first half performance as Angel Di Maria proved to be an influential figure, winning a penalty before scoring Argentina's second goal.
Ousmane Dembele was punished for a soft challenge on Di Maria with the winger falling to the ground and winning a penalty for his nation. Lionel Messi converted his spot kick in what could be his final World Cup appearance for Argentina.
Di Maria was at the centre of the action once again as he doubled Argentina's lead, finishing off a brilliant passing move with a clever finish past Hugo Lloris. France's time to complete a comeback continues to fade away after players were left fuming with the referee's decision to award Argentina a penalty in the 23rd minute.
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Roy Keane and Gary Neville have agreed in their assessment on Angel Di Maria winning a penalty for Argentina, which Lionel Messi converted. Keane said: "I think it’s very soft, I think it’s a penalty but sometimes the defender has to be punished for being so silly."
Neville was a little bit stronger with his assessment on the penalty decision which saw Argentina take the lead against France. The former United defender said: "Ah, it’s pathetic.
"Di Maria position, selection, well done to the manager it’s a genius selection, it’s stretched that French team. Mac Allister has been that pocket, they’ve not been able to cope with it, Messi has come to the right hand side.
"The penalty, I have to say, Dembele although he’s a wide player, what he does, this initial challenge… you know what Di Maria’s going to do he’s been doing it for 10 years. It’s embarrassing. I’m torn between one, I think it’s a soft penalty but also stupidity and to get on the wrong side, you deserve to be found out.
"Dembele gets found out, he’s looking for it. He [Di Maria] knows what he’s doing but Dembele gets played like a little boy."
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