Lionel likely to say adios

Four France goals ended Lionel Messi's fourth World Cup in Kazan on Saturday and may have brought down the curtain on an international career seemingly destined to end in disappointment.

Argentina fans had clung to the hope that Messi could carry an aging side over one more hurdle after his solitary goal in Russia helped avoid an embarrassing group-stage exit against Nigeria.

He played his part with two assists in a World Cup classic in the last-16 tie but it was not enough to save Argentina's fragile defense from a 4-3 defeat.