Mbappe steals the show, France sends Messi home after 7-goal thriller

We may have seen the last of Lionel Messi at the World Cup, and the teenager tipped as football's next megastar was chiefly responsible.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the second half of Saturday's wild contest against Argentina, leading France to a comeback 4-3 win to secure a quarter-finals berth in a tournament that continues to deliver on drama.

An Antoine Griezmann penalty-kick goal was cancelled out by an absolute stunner from Angel Di Maria to bring the sides level into the interval. Whatever was said by both managers during their half-time team talks - or whoever was in control of the Argentina dressing room, for that matter - neutral supporters will certainly be thankful.

The two sides combined to find the net at will after the break, with a lucky deflection from Gabriel Mercado giving the Albiceleste an unlikely, and probably undeserved, 2-1 lead.

From that point on, though, it was all France.

A gorgeous volley from young right-back Benjamin Pavard tied up the proceedings. Then Mbappe, whose incredible burst of speed set up the penalty for Griezmann in the opening half, scored a pair of goals to give Les Bleus an insurmountable advantage.

Related - Watch: France's Pavard (seriously) just scored World Cup's best goal

The 19-year-old became just the second teenager to score twice in a single World Cup knockout match, joining the most esteemed company; Pele is the only other player to accomplish that feat, doing so back in 1958.

Substitute Sergio Aguero came on late for Argentina and headed a goal home to make things interesting for the final 90 seconds. But Argentina couldn't craft another last-ditch opportunity, ensuring that Messi's search for a World Cup title will go on. There's now a distinct possibility he'll never add that missing accolade to his CV, as the 31-year-old could decide to retire from international competition.

Mbappe, meanwhile, still has a shot at winning football's grandest prize in his first World Cup tournament.

France now looks ahead to the quarter-finals, where Didier Deschamps' side will meet the winner of the match between Uruguay and Portugal.