The 2018 World Cup knockout stages get underway at 3pm today, as Argentina take on France in Kazan.

While Didier Deschamps’ side coasted to top spot in Group C, qualifying for the last 16 with a match to spare, Lionel Messi and co. almost failed to progress from the group stage: Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute winner in Argentina’s final Group D fixture against Nigeria finally saw the 2014 runners-up through.

Argentina’s insipid displays so far have been reflected in their players’ popularity among Fantasy managers. Messi (£11.9m), whose ownership of 17.2% is at its lowest of the tournament, is the only Argentinean player to be selected by more than 10% of those playing McDonald’s FIFA.

Nicolas Otamendi (£5.9m) is the next most-owned Fantasy asset from this Argentina squad, but faith in the Manchester City centre-back – who is included in 4.7% of Fantasy teams – and his fellow defenders is dwindling after three successive World Cup matches without a clean sheet.

France, who were unbeaten in their three group matches, are more widely favoured by McDonald’s FIFA managers.

Curiously, N’Golo Kante (£6.0m) is the most-owned player on show this afternoon. The defensive midfielder finds himself in 18% of Fantasy sides, despite the obvious lack of goal threat.

With qualification already assured, Deschamps made six changes to his side for the final group match against Denmark. Antoine Griezmann (£10.0m) and Raphael Varane (£6.0m), the next most-owned French assets, played in the 0-0 draw with the Danes, however, with mixed fortunes. While Varane banked his second successive clean sheet, Griezmann blanked – the Atletico Madrid forward is now owned by only 15.5% of Fantasy bosses, having started the tournament in over a quarter of our squads.

Hugo Lloris (£6.0m), one of the players rested by Deschamps for the Denmark match, is owned by 9.8% of those who are playing McDonald’s FIFA.

While Les Bleus’ backline has been solid, their talent up top has so far failed to sparkle: no side who progressed to the knockout rounds has had fewer big chances. Kylian Mbappe (£9.0m) is the only French player to have scored from open play, meanwhile.

Argentina have also only managed to score at a rate of one goal per match, while their defence has been far from watertight: no side who qualified for the last 16 conceded more goals (five) or big chances (seven) than Jorge Sampaoli’s side.

France XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba, Matuidi; Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud

Argentina XI (4-3-3): Armani; Mercado, Tagliafico, Rojo, Otamendi; Banega, Perez, Mascherano; Di Maria, Pavon, Messi

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

Join our McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy league ‘FantasyFootballScout’ using the code: HEWJPVYR

Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

Click here for details and here to sign up.

Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.