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France performed its half in probably the most memorable finishes in World Cup historical past, although the defending champions didn’t retain the title.
Kylian Mbappé’s hat trick of targets all got here late — first in regulation, then in further time — and helped give France a 3-3 draw with Argentina within the remaining.
Within the penalty shootout, it appeared destined for Lionel Messi to win his first World Cup on the age of 35, not Mbappé to win his second at 23.
Nonetheless, the foundations of France’s nationwide soccer staff are stable with slightly below 4 years to go till the subsequent World Cup in 2026.
EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCE
France outperformed expectations even because the defending champion and the world’s fourth-ranked staff.
A run of poor ends in the UEFA Nations League, together with a house loss in June to Denmark, plus a litany of accidents earlier than and after the squad for Qatar was chosen saved excessive hopes in examine.
Then, within the final coaching session earlier than the flight to Doha, ahead Christopher Nkunku was injured by a teammate.
It obtained worse in Qatar. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was forced out of the squad because of an injury after which Lucas Hernández, the left again within the 2018 staff, picked up a season-ending knee damage 9 minutes into France’s first recreation towards Australia.
France persevered and obtained higher because the staff handed by means of the knockout rounds — towards Poland, England and Morocco.
The report now underneath France coach Didier Deschamps of two World Cup finals and a quarterfinal, plus a European Championship remaining and a UEFA Nations League title is actually spectacular.
“I’m optimistic in regards to the future,” stated Deschamps, who has expertly combined youth and expertise in his groups. “Lots of gamers have performed in lots of these tournaments and have gotten expertise.”
WHO’S OUT
Solely 4 of the 26 gamers within the squad has turned 30 and Deschamps has made clear he needs to signal the contract extension the French soccer federation says it needs to supply.
This yr’s World Cup may very well be the final for Olivier Giroud, who at 36 took the central striker position left by Benzema and broke Thierry Henry’s all-time France scoring report.
Giroud ended the match with 4 targets and now has 53, two forward of Henry. Mbappé has 36 and will take the report earlier than the 2026 World Cup.
Benzema turns 35 on Monday, and captain Hugo Lloris has his thirty sixth birthday one week later. At 31, and after a standout World Cup, Antoine Griezmann can look towards one other World Cup.
Deschamps remains to be solely 54 and appears removed from fatigued in his eleventh yr on the job.
WHO’S NEXT
The following era of gamers to revitalize Les Bleus is already on the World Cup.
A number of made debuts this yr and their progress in Qatar was accelerated by all of the accidents and sickness to long-established gamers.
Aurélien Tchouaméni was joined by former Monaco teammate Youssouf Fofana in an emergency midfield pairing, and 21-year Arsenal defender William Saliba additionally obtained enjoying time.
If Lloris does step down, 27-year-old Mike Maignan is primed so as to add to his handful of worldwide video games. A home league winner at each Lille and AC Milan, Maignan additionally was injured and missed the World Cup.
Nkunku, now 25, will transfer to Chelsea subsequent season after 4 years at Leipzig and impressing within the Champions League.
WHAT’S NEXT
On March 24, France will host the Netherlands at Stade de France to begin one of many hardest European Championship qualifying teams.
A conflict between the World Cup finalists and quarterfinalists is probably the most anticipated recreation on the schedule when nationwide groups return to motion in three months.
Greece, Eire and Gibraltar are additionally within the group, which performs by means of November and can ship two groups on to Euro 2024 in Germany.
France additionally has accessible dates in September and October for pleasant video games towards groups from outdoors Europe.
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AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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