Day of reckoning for tournament's sleeping giants

KAZAN, Russia - Argentina and Lionel Messi need to find form fast if they are to go any further in the World Cup on Saturday when they meet a France team which has yet to live up to its billing.

The first last-16 match in Russia promises to be a fascinating clash of two underachieving sides who seem to be on different trajectories.

All the flaws of an aging and unbalanced Argentina team was ruthlessly exposed in the 3-0 thrashing by Croatia in the group stage.