France France are hoping to turn out to be the primary nation to efficiently defend their World Cup title in 60 years. AP
France wish to turn out to be the primary nation to efficiently defend their World Cup title in 60 years and Didier Deschamps the primary coach to information his staff to back-to-back championships since 1938.
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Have they got what it takes in opposition to Argentina?
Over his decade in cost, Deschamps has confirmed to be good and pragmatic and open to tactical modifications because the match calls for.
At his disposal he has a gifted and cohesive squad led by ahead Kylian Mbappé, the star of France’s World Cup triumph in Russia 4 years in the past.
Listed here are some keys to repeating that feat at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Mbappe’s pace
Mbappé’s pace, energy and capturing accuracy are confirmed threats and have him on observe at 23 to someday turn out to be the all-time main scorer on the World Cup. He already has added 5 objectives in Qatar to the 4 he scored in Russia in 2018.
One of many defining breakout photographs of Mbappé at that match in Russia was the foot race that earned France a penalty in opposition to Argentina within the spherical of 16.
His blistering tempo ought to put Argentina’s defence to the check, however he’s not the one menace. Heart ahead Olivier Giroud has overtaken Thierry Henry to turn out to be the main scorer for the French nationwide staff. Giroud has scored 4 objectives to date in Qatar.
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Within the semi-finals, Morocco uncovered how you can exploit France’s left wing and Mbappé’s relative lack of safety for his protection. Argentina have a fast, attack-minded wing again in Nahuel Molina who — if he performs in the same function to Achraf Hakimi for Morocco — might help goal France left again Theo Hernández.
Deschamps reacted on Wednesday by taking off Giroud, sending Mbappé into the center, and utilizing substitute Marcus Thuram on the left to each assault and shield Hernández. It additionally eased the burden on the hard-working France midfield led by Antoine Griezmann.
Thuram and Mbappé then mixed to create the objective for Randal Kolo Muani within the 2-0 victory over Morocco.
Rating first
Solely as soon as up to now 11 finals has the staff that scored first didn’t win the trophy. That was France in 2006.
It sounds so easy and it has labored for this era of Les Bleus in World Cup knockout video games.
France have scored first in every of the seven video games it performed from the spherical of 16 onward on the previous two World Cups.
Croatia, conversely, by no means scored first in seven video games in the identical interval, and ultimately misplaced to France within the 2018 closing and to Argentina within the semi-finals on Tuesday.
In reality, solely Argentina have led France in these seven video games — for a quick interval of their epic match in Kazan 4 years in the past.
For 9 minutes within the second half, France trailed 2-1 till proper again Benjamin Pavard’s slicing shot — picked as objective of the match — equalized. France received that sport 4-3 after Mbappé additionally scored twice.
Beneath Deschamps, France take the lead and rapidly tightens the defence. His staff appears by no means to panic at having to absorb strain, like within the second half in opposition to each England and Morocco.
France had 36% possession within the 2-1 win over England within the quarter-finals and solely 34% within the semi-finals, in line with FIFA statistics.
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That 34% determine was the identical within the semi-finals for Argentina, who had been joyful to cede the ball to Croatia, then hit laborious and quick when area opened.
Argentina haven’t trailed in Qatar since its opening 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
Keep wholesome
Sickness is working by way of the France squad, because it did to Switzerland earlier in Qatar.
The three middle backs France depend on — Raphaël Varane, Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano — all have been affected this week.
Upamecano appears closest to full restoration and Varane’s standing is probably the most important concern because the senior companion to his much less skilled teammates.
Konaté was excellent in opposition to Morocco coping with the 22 crosses into the penalty space France needed to defend.
Argentina, with forwards Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez main the assault, favor to run laborious on the opposition protection or cross the ball with low passes into hazard areas. France’s defence will want clear heads and quick ft.
In opposition to Morocco, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris typically despatched the ball lengthy, evading the urgent forwards and asking much less of his defenders.
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