World Cup 2018: Twitter laments end of an era as Ronaldo-Messi bid adieu

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi saw their World Cup dreams snuffed out as French teenager Kylian Mbappe flew the flag for a new generation in Russia.
Ten goals were scored on a gripping first day of the knockout phase yesterday as France progressed to a quarter-final tie against Uruguay but Messi and Ronaldo may have played their last games on football's biggest stage.

In the first match, France roared back to beat Argentina 4-3, with Mbappe scoring twice.

Later in Sochi, Ronaldo -- who started the World Cup with a hat-trick against Spain -- was powerless to prevent Portugal slipping out of the tournament as Edinson Cavani scored twice in a 2-1 win to send the European champions home.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker opened the scoring with an early header and curled a superb first-time shot past Rui Patricio to win the match after a Pepe equaliser.

Cavani, who forms a dangerous front-line pairing alongside Luis Suarez, later limped off, helped by Ronaldo, sparking fears for his World Cup future.

Ronaldo, who will be 37 by the time of the next World Cup, was unable to keep Portugal alive despite incessant pressure from his side in the dying stages of the match.

France, the 1998 champions, looked a totally different side from the one that struggled to find their cutting edge in the group stage, pouring forward with pace and purpose to stretch the ageing Argentine defence in Kazan.

Antoine Griezmann gave France the lead from the penalty spot but the South Americans levelled with a sweet hit from Angel Di Maria and edged ahead shortly after half-time through Gabriel Mercado.

But defender Benjamin Pavard equalised with a thunderous strike to pull France level and once more change the complexion of the game.

That set the scene for 19-year-old Mbappe, who netted two goals in four second-half minutes to become the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup match since a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.

Sergio Aguero gave Argentina late hope but they ran out of time and head home after a rollercoaster ride in Russia that ultimately ends in bitter disappointment for the two-time former champions.

Man-of-the-match Mbappe brushed off comparisons with Brazil great Pele.
"I'm very happy, and it's flattering to be compared to a great player like Pele," he said.

"But he's in another category. Still, it's great to join the list of players that have achieved such feats." Mbappe was born in 1998, the year Les Bleus secured their first World Cup title under captain Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps, now national manager, praised his team's character to fight back from 2-1 down.

"If I am a coach it is because I want to live this: a full stadium, highly experienced teams. Our team is much younger, but it's there," Deschamps said.

"We answered the call, we have a lot of character and it was not easy as we were leading, then there was an equaliser, then we were 2-1 behind, but we kept fighting.

"There is an excellent mentality in this group and we did everything to go further. Since I am responsible for everything, particularly when it doesn't go well I'm very proud." Beaten finalists four years ago, Argentina only reached the last 16 by the skin of their teeth after a shambolic group phase and despite a brave effort against France, the age of their players and an unbalanced squad ultimately caught up with them.

Messi has spent the tournament trying to hold his squad together, even apparently bypassing coach Jorge Sampaoli to give coaching instructions in the 2-1 win against Nigeria that saved the South Americans from a humiliating group-stage exit.

He has scored only once and Argentina's campaign so far was defined as much by Diego Maradona's erratic and emotional outbursts.

The Barcelona star, at the age of 31, may have played his last World Cup game in a career curiously unfulfilled at international level despite his astonishing achievements with the Spanish giants and his multiple individual awards.

It’s been a wonderful #WorldCup so far but we’ve lost Messi & Ronaldo on the same day #SilenceOfTheGoats 

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 30, 2018

The 2 Greats have departed the #worldcup at the same stage on the same day... Ronaldo will be remembered at this World Cup for his hattrick against one of the favourites Spain.. Messi for his one moment of brilliance against Nigeria! Just proves football is a TEAM game!

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 30, 2018

Out of the #WorldCup on the same day. Truly sad, never really worked for either of them at a #WorldCup. But there can be no doubt that they are the 2 greatest players to ever grace a football pitch. We can all be honoured to say in years to come "I lived the Ronaldo, Messi years" pic.twitter.com/GR2xIuvoe1

— Rhys Carter (@RhysCarter1994) June 30, 2018

0 - Neither Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi have scored a goal in a World Cup knockout match:

Ronaldo: 0 goals in 6 games from 25 shots (514 mins)
Messi: 0 goals in 8 games from 23 shots (756 mins)

Kryptonite.#WorldCup #URUPOR #FRAARG #POR #ARG pic.twitter.com/lgydl2UDb8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2018

Kamran Akmal Consoling Messi and Ronaldo after last night. pic.twitter.com/B61FDTDOxM

— Desi Gooner (@Sahil_Adhikaari) July 1, 2018

Dear "MESSI" & "RONALDO"

You guys don't need to win a world cup to be the greatest of all time..!
U are already G.O.A.T.
Because you proved it every time.

Good Bye Legend
Love for LM10
Respect for CR7

— রিয়াদ (@Shahreyad) July 1, 2018

Messi and Ronaldo at the airport today. pic.twitter.com/jTf9WbS1eS

— palangGOL (@palangGOL) July 1, 2018

Rare Picture of Messi and Ronaldo at the airport pic.twitter.com/wQqW5vj6xv

— Lex™ (@kinglherx) June 30, 2018

Messi and Ronaldo. Titans of the beautiful game. End of an era? What a start to the World Cup knockout phase. #Messi #Ronaldo #LionelMessi #CristianoRonaldo #WorldCup #WorldCup2018 #FifaWorldCup2018 #ARG #POR pic.twitter.com/cWCfN4GLwu

— Rich Walters (@therichwalters) July 1, 2018

Forget the hate
Forget the rivalry
Forget the No World Cup trophy
Messi and Ronaldo made many of us love football. They are the best players of their generation, their era may be ended but they will always be remembered.
There both were surely be our reason of watching football. pic.twitter.com/p8zWILPuOO

— Peekabu (@Talhyyy) July 1, 2018

When Ronaldo and Messi see each other at the airport pic.twitter.com/onkhlfPig2

— Luna (@Travishcott) June 30, 2018

The fact that Argentina and Portugal went home today reminded me that the Messi and Ronaldo era is coming to an end. What a depressing time.

— David (@daguzzzz) June 30, 2018

Both Ronaldo and Messi go home. Both remain without a goal in the knockout stages of any World Cup. Remarkable for 2 of the games all time greats.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2018