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The first match of the 16th of Russia promises to be a fascinating clash of two underachieving teams that are supposed to be on different trajectories.
All the flaws of an aging and unbalanced Argentine team were ruthlessly highlighted during Croatia's showdown in the group stage.
But, pushed by a bloated Diego Maradona, Messi finally opened his account in this tournament before Marcos Rojo flies in a superb match against Nigeria while the losing finalists of 2014 scored their ticket for the round of 16 .
France's Didier Deschamps, meanwhile, among the favorites of the pre-tournament, appeared lethargic despite a group stage without defeat.
Top-notch striker Antoine Griezmann was unable to regain his best form and creativity failed to get out of the midfield.
Deschamps is adamant that France will manage well on the night when the end of the tournament business will begin Saturday.
"A brand new competition is starting now, knockout," Deschamps said. "We got what we wanted, now the mountain stands in front of us, but we are here and we aim to move on to the next round."
Messi, five-time winner of the Golden Ball, stressed his importance for Argentina with a sublime opening goal against Nigeria on Tuesday.
But this only partially compensated for the lack of penalty of the Barcelona icon against Iceland in a 1-1 draw that cooled the Argentine hopes of their match d & # 39; opening.
Messi was virtually out of action when Jorge Sampaoli's men lost to Croatia.
The tension of the victory over Nigeria made Maradona, winner of the 1986 World Cup, grin to the sky, a crazy look.
Later, Maradona downplayed concerns about her health after being monitored by paramedics in her VIP box.
But Argentina and Messi's health are also under surveillance, according to former French captain Marcel Desailly.
Winner of the World Cup with France in 1998, Desailly told the British Guardian: "We know that Messi is great, but we are confused and sad for him.
"He is a pure product of Barcelona, but with Argentina right now, Messi is in a mess."
"And let's face it, France has not yet shown anything to make us feel optimistic, to give us hope," Desailly said.
With just three goals in three games, an offensive line with Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, two teenagers of 145 million euros, have hardly fired the tournament.
Griezmann, in particular, faces a tighter and tighter exam two years after his team of six goals and seven badistants led France to the finals of Euro 2016, where France lost against Portugal.
His campaign up here was most notable for the controversy caused by his decision to announce his commitment to Atletico Madrid, rejecting Barcelona in the process, in a 40-minute video that took was broadcast on the eve of the opening of France.
"He's fine, he's fine, you must never doubt one of the best players in the world," said his teammate Atletico, Lucas Hernandez.
The Blues should have the measure of Messi, according to Marius Tresor, the former defender of France who helped Les Bleus to a fourth place at the 1982 World Cup.
"Against Messi, they (France) will have to play smartly," Tresor told AFP.
"If Messi comes in the middle, we have a guy called N & # 39; Golo Kante who does not let people through easily.
"On his right side (Messi), there is Hernandez, who knows him well in the Spanish league.
Messi "likes to move, so we have to try to control him."
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