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☆ Messi's 'Maradona moment' faces formidable French final hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

They really found their rhythm against Croatia, sweeping aside a team who had just knocked out Brazil, to march into the final on high. France looked the best side in the tournament in their first two group games and recovered from the Tunisia blip to turn on the style in beating Poland 3-1. The final will mark his 26th World Cup appearance, more than any other player, as the stars are seemingly aligning for the mini-maestro. Having lost to Germany in the 2014 final, Argentina are seeking a third triumph to follow 1978 and '86 but France are the team of the moment. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Key match-ups in World Cup final between Argentina and France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Semi Final - Argentina v Croatia - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 13, 2022 Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi and Nahuel Molina REUTERS/Carl RecineDOHA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Argentina and France meet in Sunday's World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result:Kylian Mbappe v Nahuel MolinaMbappe is a candidate for the World Cup's player of the tournament, having led France to their second consecutive final. The jet-heeled 23-year-old forward has scored five times in six games, surpassing his tally from the 2018 tournament, and has now scored nine World Cup goals in 13 appearances across the two editions. Molina arrived at the World Cup having faced criticism after struggling in his first season with Atletico Madrid, but he has been solid during the tournament and started every match. Lionel Messi v Aurelien TchouameniOne of the most anticipated match-ups will be Argentina great Messi against France's rising star holding-midfielder Tchouameni.

☆ 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.”

☆ 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.”

☆ 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.

☆ World Cup 2022 - England 1-2 France: Harry Kane misses late penalty as Olivier Giroud heads defending champions into semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Peter Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

France celebrates after beating England the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final match in Al Khor on Dec. 10, 2022. But ultimately it was a penalty that caused England World Cup heartbreak again. England players console each other after losing to France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final match in Al Khor on Dec. 10, 2022. How England's World Cup dream ended It was a dramatic ending to this epic first-ever knockout clash between these sides. Harry Maguire of England and Olivier Giroud of France clash during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match on Dec. 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

☆ 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.

☆ France tops England 2-1 to advance to World Cup semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

AL KHOR, Qatar — Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup on Saturday by beating England 2-1. The Moroccans became the first African team to reach the semifinals at the World Cup by beating Portugal 1-0. England, which lost to Italy on penalties in the final of last year’s European Championship, reached the semifinals at the 2018 World Cup. After scoring 12 goals on the way to the quarterfinals in Qatar, England trailed in the match for the first time at the World Cup. Mbappe is the leading scorer at the World Cup with five goals, one more that Giroud and Lionel Messi.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

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.

☆ Elated England turn thoughts to fearsome France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Dec 4 (Reuters) - England spent little time celebrating Sunday's 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal before turning their thoughts to an intimidating quarter-final next Saturday against reigning champions France and current tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappe. said England coach Gareth Southgate of Saturday's mouth-watering match between the two European powers who have not met at a World Cup since 1982. England would love a repeat of their last World Cup meeting 40 years ago when they beat France 3-1 with two goals from Bryan Robson. "I was waiting patiently to try and score," said Kane, who is one goal shy of Wayne Rooney's record 53 goals for England. "If you want to win the World Cup you have to play the best sides in the world and France are definitely one of those."

☆ Analysis: Age gap no problem for France's deadly striking duo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Giroud looked set for a secondary role for France until the team's number one centre forward Karim Benzema pulled out with an injury on the even of the tournament. That understanding was clear for all to see as Poland were cut apart by France's strikers. "It's still a long way to go and, obviously, you need to enjoy the game," he said. "If we attack, try to attack, it's a bit different. Additional reporting by Bartosz Dąbrowski in Gdansk, Poland; Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Euro exit lesson learned, says Griezmann before Poland clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Les Bleus were 3-1 up against the Swiss but conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes before going out on penalties. "I think we were too relaxed against Switzerland," attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann told a news conference on Friday. In big competitions you realise that there are no easy opponents, it's going to be the same against Poland. Poland have two major assets - striker Robert Lewandowski, and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has already stopped two penalties in three games here. The winner of the France v Poland clash will face either England or Senegal in the quarter-finals.

☆ Over the line? Japan goal adds fuel to VAR debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The perspective that is clear is from above, and the belly of the ball is very big," he said. Everyone can take and use the photo they want, it doesn't matter, but the ball didn't go out." FIFA, who declined to comment on the incident on Friday, have invested heavily in VAR technology since introducing it at the World Cup four years ago in Russia. The match ball now contains a chip that transmits data to the VAR operations room 500 times a second, while 12 cameras in each stadium track 29 points on the body of each player. Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness said FIFA needed to be more transparent over VAR decisions.

☆ 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.

☆ France file complaint to FIFA after Griezmann goal disallowed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 30 (Reuters) - France are filing a complaint to FIFA after a last-gasp equaliser by Antoine Griezmann was disallowed following a video review after the final whistle of their World Cup match against Tunisia, the French federation said on Wednesday. "We are writing a complaint after Antoine Griezmann's goal was, in our opinion, wrongly disallowed. This complaint has to be filed within 24 hours after the final whistle," the FFF said in a statement. Tunisia were eliminated from the tournament while France advanced top of Group D into the last 16 and they will face Poland on Sunday. The FFF did not specify whether the complaint was over the goal itself or the fact it was ruled out after the final whistle.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ Mercurial Mbappe fires France into last 16 after 2-1 win over Denmark
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The first objective has been achieved," French coach Didier Deschamps said of their qualification in a post-match TV interview. France take on Tunisia and Denmark meet Socceroos in the final round on Wednesday, with the Danes needing a win to advance. Having lost twice to Denmark during the recent Nations League campaign, France started cautiously. But it was not long before they realised there were opportunities to be had by taking on the Danish wing backs. The French will face one of the teams from Group C - Poland, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Argentina - in the last 16.

DOHA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe's meteoric rise showed no sign of stopping as the France forward sealed the holders' 2-1 win against Denmark to send them into the last 16 of the World Cup on Saturday. Mbappe has now scored 31 goals in 61 appearances for France - well on the way towards the all-time record of 51 held by Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry. Mbappe has seven goals at World Cup tournaments - only behind Just Fontaine, who scored a record 13 in 1958, and already ahead of Henry's six in four visits to the finals. He is part of a collective that is very strong and has this goal of winning the World Cup in mind," Deschamps added. For the first goal, he benefited from fullback Hernandez's threat on the left wing to pounce after their one-two.

☆ Analysis: Dazzling Dembele completes two-man job to help France reach last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In 2018, Dembele had lost his place in the starting XI after a poor performance in the first game of the group stage. "In 2018, I was going through tough years," he said this week, admitting that he now had a healthier lifestyle. "Well it's not like I was being crazy, but I'm watching myself much more now. Dembele was the first to bring danger in the second half with yet another dazzling run before setting up Mbappe for a potential opener with a silky pass from the penalty spot. Dembele is likely to be on the bench against Tunisia on Wednesday in Les Bleus's final group game, getting a well-deserved rest ahead of the knockout stage where he undoubtedly will catch the eye again.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

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