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World Cup: France edge out Argentina to enter quarters (Lead)

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Kazan (Russia), June 30 (IANS) France pipped Argentina 4-3 in a classic encounter to enter the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup here on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbapp� (64th, 68th minutes) played a major role in France’s victory. The 19-year-old sensation set the Kazan Arena alight, scoring a brace and winning a penalty.

That penalty was converted by Antoine Griezmann (13th minute) while Benjamin Pavard (57th minute) scored the other French goal.

Mbapp� is the first teenager to score twice in a World Cup match since the legendary Pele struck twice for Brazil in a 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 final. He had earlier become the youngest France player to score in a World Cup during the group stages.

�ngel Di Mar�a (41st minute), Gabriel Mercado (48th minute) and Sergio Ag�ero (90+3rd minute) found the back of the net for Argentina.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli made changes to his team’s formation and tactics, leaving star strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero on the bench in order to put out a more packed midfield and used Lionel Messi as a ‘false nine’.

The move however, did not turn out to be a big success as Argentina struggled to create clear chances in the first half.

The veteran Javier Mascherano had an indifferent game in the centre of the Argentine midfield while the defenders struggled to contain the pace and power of the French forwards and midfielders.

Argentina full backs Mercado and Nicolas Tagliafico were repeatedly caught out of position by the speed of the French counter-attacks.

Nicolas Otamendi did have a fairly decent game at the heart of the Argentina defence althugh the same could not be said of his fellow centre-back Marcos Rojo.

Griezmann almost gave France the lead in the ninth minute, but his viciously swerving, dipping free-kick thundered off the bar with Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani well and truly beaten.

But the Atletico Madrid star could not be denied four minutes later when he fired home from the penalty spot after Mbappe had been brought down inside the box by Argentine defender Marcus ROjo.

With Griezmann, Mbappe, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi causing all sorts of problems for the South Americans’ defence with their superior pace and tactical nous, a second French goal seemed only a matter a time.

At the other end of the pitch, Argentina were struggling to break down the French defence. But Angel di Maria brought the two-time winners back on level terms with a superb long range strike shortly before the break.

Gabriel Mercado put the South American giants ahead just after half-time when he somewhat inadvertently deflected Messi’s attempt in at the near post.

But whatever hopes the Argentine players and fans may have entertained at that point soon evaporated into thin air as France gradually started to dominate proceedings.

Pavard scored the equaliser for France when he fired home a first tie effort from just inside the penalty box.

Mbappe played a crucial role in the French resurgence. He put the Europeans in the lead by beating Armani at the near post with a powerful finish after a nice move down the left side of the Argentine box.

He got his second goal a short while later after yet another nice move by the French.

That knocked the wind out of Argentina’s sails and they never seemed capable enough to make a comeback.

Aguero scored their third goal in second half added time to ensure a tense finish to what was surely the best match so far of this World Cup.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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