France’s Kylian Mbappe, left, and France’s head coach Didier Deschamps on the eve of the World Cup remaining match between France and Argentina, in Doha, Qatar
| Photo Credit: AP
France performed its half in some of the memorable finishes in World Cup historical past, though the defending champions did not 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-Three draw with Argentina within the remaining.
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In 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.
Still, the foundations of France’s nationwide soccer staff are strong with just below 4 years to go till the next World Cup in 2026.
Expectation vs efficiency
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 test.
Then, within the final coaching session earlier than the flight to Doha, ahead Christopher Nkunku was injured by a teammate.
It acquired worse in Qatar. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was compelled out of the squad due to an damage and then Lucas Hernández, the left again within the 2018 staff, picked up a season-ending knee damage 9 minutes into France’s first sport in opposition to Australia.
France persevered and acquired higher because the staff handed by means of the knockout rounds — in opposition to Poland, England and Morocco.
The report now beneath 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 about the future,” stated Deschamps, who has expertly combined youth and expertise in his groups. “A lot of players have played in many of those tournaments and have got experience.”
Who’s out
Only 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 might 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 event with 4 targets and now has 53, two forward of Henry. Mbappé has 36 and may take the report earlier than the 2026 World Cup.
Benzema turns 35 on Monday, and captain Hugo Lloris has his 36th birthday one week later. At 31, and after a standout World Cup, Antoine Griezmann can look towards one other World Cup.
Deschamps continues to be solely 54 and seems removed from fatigued in his 11th yr on the job.
Who’s next
The next technology of gamers to revitalize Les Bleus is already on the World Cup.
Several 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 acquired taking part in 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 next 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 start out one of many hardest European Championship qualifying teams.
A conflict between the World Cup finalists and quarterfinalists is essentially the most anticipated sport on the schedule when nationwide groups return to motion in three months.
Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar are additionally within the group, which performs by means of November and will ship two groups on to Euro 2024 in Germany.
France additionally has accessible dates in September and October for pleasant video games in opposition to groups from outdoors Europe.