World Cup 2018: As Father Time beats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the next generation surges into view

The one opponent that neither of these all-time greats will ever conquer has left the next line of world-beaters ready to seize their time to shine, as Kylian Mbappe did so emphatically

This is not about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is about something that affects them both and an opponent that neither of them will be able to take on and beat.

No, not Diego Godín. This is about Father Time, who remains undefeated in every sport and every facet of life, a point never more obvious than on a night when fresh-faced sparkle eliminated grizzled, labouring veterans and shone a spotlight on the next wave of talent now standing centre-stage.

After a night on which the two greatest players of a generation were both eliminated from the World Cup as part of teams that played to less than the sum of their parts, it was youth and cohesion that prevailed over an increasing obsession with the individual – in this case, two individuals the wrong side of 30.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli deployed Messi as a false nine against France in his latest failed scheme to try and get the best out of his star player, once again rejigging his entire side to try and maximise one man’s exceptional gifts.

But they were eliminated by France, a side many years their junior and one that found a way of fitting in a glut of young, talented players.

The focus has inevitably been on Kylian Mbappe after his otherworldly display and the attached symbolism is of a passing of the baton, but it could have been any of France’s young, ascendant stars who shone in Kazan because they are legion and they are primed to explode. An old Argentina side never threatened to make any of their own players look good, and the creaking backline was exposed by the velocity and verve of youth. Javier Mascherano, notionally a protector of that defence, was turned into little more than a traffic cone for Mbappe to surge past.

Fernando Santos’ conservative approach has relied on ageing centre-backs, Cristiano Ronaldo producing at the other end of the field and little else, and his Portugal side were undone by a talented young midfield that set up Uruguay for success. Edinson Cavani will steal the headlines and the Celeste’s backline continues to be solid despite conceding their first goal of 2018 but that promising midfield unit finally started to deliver on some of its promise and shut down their Portuguese counterparts despite being comprised of comparative unknowns.

Messi watches on as Mbappe stole the show in France's victory over Argentina (AFP)

It is too early to extrapolate the theme of one night out and apply it to a tournament but the feeling of loss that some might be experiencing should instead be one of promise. World Cups are more obviously remembered for players bursting into the scene and announcing themselves than for players at the end of their careers going out on a high.

Rather than lamenting the extinguishing of two flames, prepare for the lighting of many more and hope that they burn brightly. As Mbappe showed on Saturday and hopefully other budding superstars can demonstrate over the coming days and weeks, this is a stage on which names can be etched into history.

Not even Cristiano Ronaldo could drag Portugal through to the World Cup quarter-finals (Getty)

Yes, a generation of international football feels like it has ended but that is the only certainty of every era – that it will pass. 2018 is the time to embrace what is coming next, a gaggle of players so talented and so outstanding that they will one day dethrone the two players that have dominated world football so consistently and for so long.

Do not be sad for those who already have lived something way beyond their wildest dreams, instead be happy for the next wave who will now get to pursue their own.