FIFA World Cup 2018: Following defeat to France, Javier Mascherano retires from international football

Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, and Argentina's Javier Mascherano, right, acknowledge the fans at the end of the round of 16 match between France and Argentina, at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Kazan Arena  

New Delhi: It was a night to be remembered for ages in the pages of World Cup history as Argentina impressive rejuvenation in FIFA World Cup 2018 was put to a halt by France in the first of the round-of-16 match on Saturday night (June 30) at the Kazan Arena in Russia. France scripted a rollercoaster 4-3 win over Argentina to proceed to the quarter-final stage of the tournament. Moments after the match, defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano announced his retirement from international football. 

19-year-old Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace as France defeated Argentina for the first time in World Cup finals in three meetings and the whole of the limelight was snatched away from Lionel Messi. 

Messi, who had said that he would retire if Argentina fail to lift the World Cup in 2018 ahead of the tournament, is yet to reveal his international future. However, Mascherano has made it clear to La Albiceleste fan after the pulsating clash at Kazan Arena.

"My time in the national team finishes in Russia, I won't go any further," Mascherano had told Argentine TV station TyC Sports ahead of the tournament in Russia. "(Coach Jorge) Sampaoli will decide if I should be selected for the World Cup or not."

The 35-year-old, who played his 147th match for Argentina on Saturday, had made his international debut in 2003 and had scored three goals then. He played a pivotal role in Argentina's gold victory in 2004 and 2008 Olympics and stayed his only laurels donning the blue and white. Apart from that, he was part of Argentina's runners-up squad four times - once in World Cup (2014) and twice in Copa America.