World Cup 2018: Benjamin Pavard reveals the advice he received that led to his goal of the tournament contender
BENJAMIN PAVARD has revealed what went through his mind just before his stunning strike against Argentina on Saturday.
The right-back fizzed in a 25-yard effort - his first for his country - to make it 2-2 in Kazan before Kylian Mbappe struck twice as France ran out 4-3 winners and booked a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Stuttgart man Pavard hailed the advice of his teammates for the strike, telling : "In German we say 'Tor'. To hit a shot like that - I can't describe it, I'm still feeling emotional.
"The ball bounced up as it came to me. I didn't even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down.
"I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me.
"I didn't think it over, and when it went in I just felt so happy."
Pavard's thunderbolt, eerily similar to fellow right-back Nacho's effort for Spain against Portugal in the group stage, is among the contenders for goal of the tournament in Russia.
It drew France level just minutes after going 2-1 down to Argentina, who themselves had come back from Antoine Griezmann's early penalty.
Mbappe then took control, firing in twice to crown a man-of-the-match display.
In the moments after his strike Pavard was keen to show his appreciation for his teammates, saying: "My first instinct was just to run to the dugout.
"For me it's the team that wins, the 23 players and the coaching staff too.
"I slid on my knees and everyone came up to me. I'm not used to scoring, so I don't have any special celebration.
"I called my parents after the match too, because if they hadn't done all those kilometres for me I wouldn't be here today. They were the ones who taught me that positive determination, to give it my all, especially my father."
France go on to face Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday, while Argentina bow out in turmoil, waiting on news of captain Lionel Messi's potential retirement from international duty after Javier Mascherano called it quits post-game.