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☆ France's Deschamps on cusp of World Cup history but happy to shun limelight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of course, I'm proud and we all know there's a chance now to defend our title in the final," Deschamps said. Having captained France's 'golden generation' that won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the 54-year-old has now nurtured another golden generation over the past decade. "He's just an amazing manager and he's so humble... For me he's the greatest French manager by miles!" ADAPTABILITYWhat has made Deschamps successful in tournaments, especially at the World Cup since 2018, is not sticking to a particular identity or philosophy which is often the defining feature of big teams. "Didier Deschamps has shown he's the best head coach in the world in the last 10 years."

☆ Several members of France's squad are battling viruses ahead of the World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Qatar — A cold virus is running through the France squad ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday, affecting at least three players in the squad. Deschamps said Upamecano was recovering from “three difficult days” since playing in the quarterfinals against England on Saturday. France's Adrien Rabiot, left, and Dayot Upamecano celebrate after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and France, in Al Khor, Qatar, on Dec. 11, 2022. He insisted he expects all his players to be healthy for the final against Argentina. Seven of the eight World Cup stadiums cool the air at field level while the interiors of buildings and transport in Qatar are routinely air-conditioned.

☆ Mental strength, moments of brilliance - how France reached the World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GROUP STAGE MATCH 2: FRANCE 2-1 DENMARKHaving lost their last two games against Denmark in June and September, France were facing their first real test of the tournament. LAST 16: FRANCE 3-1 POLANDAfter France went through a brief rough patch, Giroud opened the scoring to become France's all-time top scorer on 52 goals - moving one ahead of Thierry Henry. They went ahead thanks to a 25-metre Aurelien Tchouameni strike, but cracked early in the second half with Harry Kane converting a penalty after a Tchouameni foul. They went ahead on five minutes thanks to Theo Hernandez's high-hooked volley, forcing their opponents to take the initiative. France will play Argentina, who are also looking to win the World Cup for the third time, in Sunday's final at the Lusail Stadium.

☆ France and Argentina bring multiple plot lines to mouthwatering World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Standing in Messi’s way is his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé, as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup trophies. After a shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in its opening group game, Argentina’s World Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start. When asked whether Sunday’s game will be his last at a World Cup, Messi replied: “Yes. Like Griezmann, the 36-year-old Giroud has had a renaissance in this World Cup, after failing to score a single goal in 2018. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani scored as France defeated underdog Morocco, 2-0, in Qatar on Wednesday, sending Les Bleus into the World Cup final against perennial powerhouse Argentina. The Frenchmen, winners of soccer's most coveted trophy in 1998 and 2018, are seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil did in 1958 and 1962. "In four days, we're going to play for a world title and we're really going to enjoy it." Morroco, which captured the world's imagination as the first African side to ever make the World Cup semifinals, will play for third place Saturday against 2018 runner-up Croatia. The next World Cup will be in North America in 2026 with the United States, Canada and Mexico serving as hosts.

☆ France stand firm to overpower gallant Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"There's emotion, there's pride, there's going to be a final step, we've been together with the players for a month, it's never easy, there's happiness so far," said coach Didier Deschamps. France found themselves in an absorbing battle as Morocco showed them no deference and made many chances of their own, coming close to an equaliser. The world champions’ defence had to scramble several times, including a late goalline clearance and Morocco struck the post with a spectacular bicycle effort. France swept forward and converted their first chance through Hernandez to put their opponents on the back foot. NO FAIRYTALEWhile there was to be no fairytale continuation of their unprecedented run to the last four, Morocco exited with their heads held high.

☆ Defending champion France ends Morocco’s Qatar 2022 dream and reaches fourth World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Defending champion France ended Morocco’s 2022 World Cup dream on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 victory at the Al Bayt Stadium. France is the first defending World Cup champion to reach the final in two decades. Lionel Messi and Argentina now await as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup titles. They deserve a lot of credit for this World Cup. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

☆ Analysis: Tactical masterplan, and grit, take France into World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world. In previous games, Belgium, Spain and Portugal had been unable to match Morocco's grit, but on Wednesday, France showed they were also able to fight tooth and nail and rely on players going above and beyond. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium. Just like Belgium were left frustrated by their defeat to France four years ago in Russia, Morocco might feel they were the better team on the day. Yet France once again barged into the final like a regular at a nightclub who gets in without a look from the bouncer.

☆ France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The match against former colonial power France will take on an added edge. Morocco's exploits in Qatar have provided an outlet for marginalised migrant communities in France, who have been out on the streets celebrating their wins. After finishing top of a group that also included Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco then knocked off the fancied Spaniards and Portuguese to reach the semis. France are expected to attack, Morocco resist. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup.

☆ As Mbappe takes back seat, old guard drives France on
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - As Kylian Mbappe was being muzzled by the England defence, it was France's old guard who took the defending champions through to the World Cup semi-finals in a nerve-racking 2-1 victory on Saturday. Griezmann capped his performance with two assists, the first for Aurelien Tchouameni's first-half thunderbolt, and the second for Giroud's 78th-minute winner. Griezmann has now set up 28 France goals, more than any other player, on his record 72nd consecutive appearance. It was, possibly, the biggest takeaway from France's victory. France next face Morocco, with Mbappe set to battle it out with club team mate and great friend Achraf Hakimi, as Les Bleus look to become the first team to retain their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.

☆ World Cup champion France edges out England to reach semifinals as Harry Kane misses penalty
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —World Cup holder France remains on course in its title defense after beating England 2-1 to reach the semifinals at Qatar 2022. Aurélien Tchouaméni gave France a first-half lead, his powerful shot setting the game ablaze at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. England grew into the game and team captain Harry Kane emphatically converted from the penalty spot to draw the 2018 semifinalists level. Giroud celebrates after scoring France's second goal against England. Kane emphatically took advantage, powering the ball into the corner of the France goal, in doing so becoming England’s joint top scorer alongside former Manchester United forward Rooney.

☆ Giroud earns France win over England as Kane misses late penalty
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's extraordinary, we worked a lot in defence and in the end we managed to threaten," 36-year-old Giroud said. "We knew the potential of this young England team. England played with purpose for long periods and after Kane brought them level from the spot early in the second half they looked the more likely winners. "You've got to give credit to France, they're a good team, but I think I felt it was there for us to win tonight." "We played a superb England team who are strong technically and physically.

☆ England have more belief they can win World Cup than in 2018, says Kane
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

England reached the final of the Euros last year where they lost in a penalty shootout to Italy, but Kane is confident they can dethrone world champions France when they meet their European neighbours in Saturday's quarter-final. Of course we went there with the belief that we could win, but it was almost a new experience for a lot of us," Kane said. But whether we had the full belief to go and win the tournament, I'm not quite sure. "I feel like the belief has been building and building over the four or five years now. I know we're going into the game with maybe more belief than what we did back in 2018."

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco on the verge of history against Portugal as Kylian Mbappé’s France face England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Moroccans have become the darlings of the World Cup. At the first “Arab” World Cup, they became the first Arab nation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup and, as the first African side to qualify for the quarterfinals in over a decade, they represent so much more than just their own nation. Born in Madrid, Achraf Hakimi scored the goal to knock Spain out of the World Cup. No team has scored more than Portugal’s 12 at the World Cup, but will the unstoppable Portugal be able to beat the immovable Morocco? Mbappé has already surpassed Cristiano Ronalo's World Cup goal scoring record and is level with Lionel Messi on nine.

☆ France wary of England's pace and set-piece threat in quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Deschamps, who has won the World Cup with France as a player and coach, said he did not see many weaknesses in the England team but they did have some "slightly less strong points". "Pace is often one of the keys - when you are quick then the opponents have less time to get organised. But you need more than just pace to score goals," Deschamps said ahead of Saturday's game at Al Bayt Stadium. "If we compare both sides, there were more English players here who were at the World Cup in Russia than France players," Lloris added. "England reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup and were runners-up at the Euros, there's been a real progression.

DOHA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe once again as France take on England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash but the defending champions must hope their lack of options from the bench will not be exposed on Saturday. WALKER v MBAPPEOne of the strengths that has emerged through the tournament is England’s depth. Their tally of 12 goals – equalling their World Cup best set from three more matches in 2018 – has been achieved via eight players. While the goalscorers grab the headlines, Southgate made sure he complimented his defenders after the last 16 match as his side chalked up a third successive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years. One thing that should be a given is that England will not be overawed by the occasion after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020.

☆ The Matchup That Could Decide England vs. France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—In the final minutes before France coach Didier Deschamps sends the defending World Cup champions onto the pitch against England on Saturday, he will make one last run through the tactics with his 11-man unit. His opposite number, Gareth Southgate, will be delivering the same speech to the Three Lions. The point is to take the natural chaos of soccer and make sense of the 22 moving parts on the field. This is the rare instance when Deschamps and Southgate may want to boil it all down to two of those.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ Record Giroud, sublime Mbappe send France into quarter-finals with Poland win
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's not been easy because they're a well-organised team and we had to make some positional changes at halftime," said Deschamps. Poland's poise came close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Zielinski's shot was parried by Lloris. Jakub Kaminski followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goal-line by Raphael Varane. NINE WORLD CUP GOALSOne minute from the break, however, France's tactics paid off. Mbappe now has nine World Cup goals to his name, as many as Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi, and became the first player to reach that mark before his 24th birthday.

☆ England vs. Senegal: Euro 2020 finalist faces African champion for place in World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Sunday’s round of 16 fixtures feature the 2018 World Cup winner, the current African champion and one of the Euro 2020 finalists. Euro 2020 finalist England comes in as heavy favorites having reached the World Cup semifinals in 2018. England has faced African opposition 20 times, including seven World Cup matches, and has yet to lose. Although African nations have lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round games against European sides, the lone exception was one which featured Senegal’s current manager, Aliou Cisse. “They’ve had to defend a lot in the group stage and they defended very well.

☆ France on a tightrope as knockout phase looms
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Until then, with Deschamps having made nine changes to the team who secured their spot in the knockout phase with a 2-1 win against Denmark, France looked clueless and were overwhelmed in the midfield. LACK OF 'COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE'"I know I haven't put them in the best conditions with all these changes because they don't have a collective experience," said Deschamps. The Liverpool centre back appeared a level above all his team mates, especially Varane, and it is a safe bet to say that Deschamps might consider fielding him from the start alongside Dayot Upamecano. "Another tournament is starting now," said Deschamps - which may come as a relief to France watchers after Wednesday's performance. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tunisia fail to advance despite 1-0 win over much-changed France
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | Daniel Wiessner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Tunisia needed not only to beat the already-qualified France but to hope for Denmark to avoid defeat against Australia in the other Group D game to advance. Tunisia thus keep their unwanted record of not progressing from the group stage in six World Cup appearances. Tunisia's win also ended France's six-match winning streak at the World Cup. Khazri said Tunisia were ending their World Cup journey with a "bittersweet feeling" - delighted to have beaten France but heartbroken by the outcome of the other group game. Mbappe and Griezmann energised the French, who were aided by Tunisia sitting back in the hope of preserving their win.

☆ France looking to strike the right balance for Tunisia game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - France will look to strike the right balance between resting players and keeping their World Cup momentum going when they take on Tunisia in their final Group D game on Wednesday. Should they finish first, they will face the team who end up second in Group C, which features Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico. Coach Didier Deschamps is set to rest some of his key men and give fringe players minutes at the Education City Stadium. The centre back returned from a hamstring injury for the second game and was substituted in the second half. We'll think about what's best for the team first, then we'll see what's best for me," Varane told reporters.

☆ Qatar 2022: Cycling from Paris to Doha to watch the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Traveling to watch their team play at the World Cup took a little longer than usual for two French fans. Mehdi Balamissa and Gabriel Martin decided the best way to travel from France to Qatar was on two wheels. The friends spent three months traveling 7,000 kilometers (roughly 4,350 miles) by bicycle to reach Qatar 2022 and watch their beloved France defend its title. mondialavelo/Instagram‘Special’ end to ‘crazy’ tripThe pair agreed cycling through Jerusalem was another highlight of a trip that ended in spectacular fashion. Their plan now is to stay in Qatar for as long as France stays in the competition before flying back home.

☆ Griezmann the brains behind France's convincing World Cup start
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Griezmann has played as an attacking midfielder rather than a pure forward, brilliantly making the link between midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot and the attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe. Griezmann played mainly deep, but also often close to lone striker Giroud or even on the flanks. I'm impressed but not surprised. Like Dembele, Griezmann played selflessly, leaving the limelight to Mbappe. "I'm proud of myself yes but I'm also proud of the whole team.

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