Theo Hernandez scores his facet’s opening purpose through the World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco on the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. AP
Al Khor, Qatar: Theo Hernandez’s purpose in opposition to Morocco on Wednesday set France on their solution to a second successive World Cup remaining. But it surely may have been very completely different if his brother had not been injured minutes into the event.
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Lucas Hernandez tore an anterior cruciate ligament in France’s opening 4-1 victory over Australia, ruling the Bayern Munich defender out for a number of months.
The damage blow got here days after Les Bleus misplaced Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to a thigh drawback, with France coach Didier Deschamps already disadvantaged of first-choice midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
But it surely may have been a blessing in disguise of types for Deschamps, who ditched his experiment with a three-man defence and reverted to a 4-3-3 formation simply earlier than the World Cup in Qatar.
Whereas Lucas Hernandez began each sport in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning marketing campaign, Theo is a extra pure match at left-back than his brother, who’s a left-sided central defender by commerce.
Voted as a part of the Serie A group of the season thrice in a row, Theo Hernandez helped AC Milan finish an 11-year await the Serie A title final season.
Enjoying behind Kylian Mbappe down France’s left, he provides the group added efficiency in assault — contributing two assists within the group stage, however has at occasions additionally been uncovered defensively.
Theo, 25, who as soon as thought-about enjoying for Spain, didn’t make his worldwide debut till September 2021 however he scored the successful purpose in simply his second match.
He dropped out and in of the group earlier than incomes a run within the facet in Qatar due to his brother’s misfortune.
Let off the hook after Harry Kane blazed over a penalty he needlessly conceded within the earlier spherical in opposition to England, Hernandez scored in simply the fifth minute on Wednesday.
Fast reactions
Quickest to react to a looping deflection from Mbappe’s shot, he expertly completed previous Yassine Bounou to place France forward and silence the pro-Morocco crowd.
“I used to be on their lonesome. I noticed Kylian wished to shoot, there was a rebound and I pounced on it to attain,” mentioned Hernandez.
Substitute Randal Kolo Muani doubled France’s lead within the 79th minute, giving them a welcome cushion.
Deschamps’ group now have the prospect to change into the primary facet in 60 years to efficiently defend their World Cup title.
“I’m proud to have received the sport and it’s a really proud second to have scored the purpose,” mentioned Hernandez. “It’s wonderful to play two World Cup finals in a row, we’ve executed an incredible job.”
However his activity is simply going to get tougher, with Lionel Messi and Argentina mendacity in wait on Sunday.
“It’s an enormous match. We’re going to work onerous to win the ultimate,” mentioned Hernandez, who revealed his brother, watching from Munich, had referred to as to congratulate him after the sport.
“A very powerful factor now’s to get well effectively within the subsequent 4 days and be prepared for the ultimate. Argentina usually are not simply Messi, they’ve a great deal of gamers, they’re an incredible group.”
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