Holders France still look like the team to Beat #1619

France 4 Aussies 1FT

Four years ago in Russia, France captured immortality. In the 2018 World Cup, they wrote the wrongs of the 2016 Euro final capturing of the World Cup after a decade to claim their second World Cup triumph. In Moscow getting through Luka Modric’s Croatia. France had the world at its fingertips. The squad that pulled off the World Cup triumph was rather young peaking at exactly the right time. The mix of extreme young talent and experience boded Well together. Appearing to be and unstoppable force. There were many conversations being had at the time surrounding what they could go on to accomplish on top of the world cup glory in 2018. They were constantly getting compared to 2008-2012, Spain. The best international team of this generation and arguably the greatest of all time. Mbappe was just starting to explode on the scene. He was just 19 at the time. He has since developed into one of the best players in the world and one of the most complete footballers on the planet. Coupled with Paul Pogba, Kante, In the midfield. Antoine griezmann Olivier giroud dembele and Kingsley Coman inattack. Lucas Hernandez, Rafael Varane and Benjamin pavard notably in defense. Not to mention all the depth that they had throughout that team, both regarding young talent and experience. It made the long-term ambitions of this French side Very achievable. No one expected Spain to do what they did at the peak of the powers. Considering the strength of the squad and it’s continued growth. They seemed almost impossible to knock off. The complexity of the squad and the depth made them a nightmare to contend with. However, the heights that Spain hit seem to be a little too ambitious for a France team That couldn’t repeat the same success at the European championships. They ended up meeting with Switzerland in the round of 16. France put together one of the most dominant displays of the entire tournament, but ultimately Switzerland fought back forcing a penalty Shootout and France came up short in the biggest way with Mbappe missing the critical penalty when it counted. They have hit adversity and now have gone into a World Cup or they are among the favorites again. That iconic Spain team that they have often been compared to only captured One World Cup. Spain coming off glory in South Africa in 2010. Failed to make it out of the group. In fact, four of the last five World Cup champions has suffered the same fate. Fighting that adversity is what this France side very well. Might be about in Qatar. Coming off disappointment at the European championships, then platforming themselves at the World Cup and winning the tournament back to back. We’ll put them in a very exclusive class. Only two have ever managed to achieve this fate. Italy in 1938 and 1934 and Brazil with Pele in 1958 and 1964. If France go on to do this, they would instantly put themselves in the conversation of the greatest international sides of all time. Retaining their World Cup is what this tournament is all about. When they first tasted the glory in 2018, it was a mix of young talent and experience. France has more of the same. The young pieces from 2018. All of a sudden are the experience ones. While some young talent has come along the way for this World Cup adding to France and their superiority. They are still the holders and intend to keep it that way. Last time they were a young energetic team arriving on energy and youth. This time it’s going to take even more than that. The Young guns Aurélien Tchouaméni and Camavinga Saliba we’ll have to carry a lot of responsibility while relying on World Cup experience. From Antoine griezmann Olivier giroud and others while being built behind still young rising stars such as Mbappe and dembele with an addition of new faces for France such as Theo Hernandez, Marcus Thurman, Kolo Mauni France is ever evolving and have proven to be a talent factory. Everything fit 2018 the stars aligned can they create The magic necessary and deliver in the critical moments. The fact that everyone seems to have identified them as the most likely flop of the tournament seems like they very well will have bulletin board material along with One of the deepest and best teams in the world. Everyone seems to be counting them out, which is why in the early games of their group they have the potential to make a resounding statement.

Let’s identify why everyone seems to be under the impression that they could flop at this tournament. The injury bug has come through and obliterated the French team. Starting and ending with their most important. Miss that being Kareem Benzema. Benzema is coming off a Champions League campaign in which he delivered in the most critical moments. His impact and clutch play largely the reason behind Real Madrid winning the Champions League. He had a 40 goal. 20 assist season and in addition to that comes through and wins the Ballon d’Or. In addition to that after many years of effort and work to earn his place Nkunku made the squad for the World Cup. He has without question. Been a top six player in the world since last season. He is already building himself as the best player in the Bundesliga. Last season he had over 60 gold contributions and was named the player of the season in Germany. The work he is done with RB Leipzig just continues to build up as he is developed into one of the world’s best. Unfortunately he got injured in training before he could even play a game in the tournament. He was expected to be the x Factor for this France team. These shot stopper at AC Milan. Mike Manian misses the tournament. Paul Pogba and Kante both Not available due to injuries suffered in this season. Those were two of the most vital pieces of France winning the World Cup in 2018. In defense They lost Presnel Kimpembe another that was part of a critical 2018 France. They also recently lost Lucas Hernandez 13 minutes into their first game. The reasons behind them being identified as a flop is built surrounding their injuries. Maybe I’m an optimist so maybe I can’t see it that way but the claim is valid but only to a point. Looking at the depth of the squad and the pieces that they have at the World Cup available They still More than enough pieces to get it done and go on a deep run and potentially retain their World Cup. There has been too much made of the injuries. Mbappe still is a huge player, especially on the World Cup stage. Antoine griezman with France has always been a sensational talent. Then Olivier giroud is only Two goals away from tying the all time goal scoring record for France. If you look at the key players that they have across the board they’re built for big moments. win the World Cup. The injuries certainly will play a part, especially late on but outside of Brazil as currently constructed, this France team can beat anyone. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia, Germany lost to Japan. The World Cup is full of shocks but injuries or not. This France team can go all the way and even with the injuries they have suffered. As far as I’m concerned this team Is good enough, strong enough and deep enough to win the World Cup. Can they do the impossible? Can they retain the World Cup? What they needed was a statement. I would think twice before underestimating France they have as good of a shot to win as anyone.

A Wounded France tried to prove that they still should be among the favorites to win the World Cup against Australia. The injury concerns quite valid. This is magnified as Australia in the 9th minute struck the back of the net putting As the Aussies took a 1–0 lead. Potentially putting France in vulnerability. Things worsened for France despite looking like the stronger of the sides. Lucas Hernandez and important piece of the 2018 World Cup winning squad had to be replaced after 13 minutes. After the fact it was confirmed that he ruptured his ACL only adding to the injury list that continues to extend to another name undoubtedly another blow for France as they lose one of their most important players just 13 minutes into the tournament. In the 27th minute off a set piece a Juventus and AC Milan pair connect has rivalries set aside to get France back into the game. Theo Hernandez delivers a cross into the box finding Adrian Rabiot following through on the header as France get their much and needed equalizer. 5 minutes later In the 32nd minute rabbit found Olivier Giroud delivering the goods from close range as France overturned the deficit in a very short amount of time as the holders found themselves in front holding a 2–1 lead. Olivia Giroud making it number 50 for France. One goal away from tying Henry as Frances all time top goal scorer. After a somewhat problematic start France were rolling. Mbappe looked at his peak Apex in the French shirt. They dominated the game and created the chances to make the big statement. Although it started poorly, they were growing into the game and becoming more comfortable dominating the ball and creating continual chances down the stretch. Jackson Irvine hit the post for Australia in stoppage time and what could have flipped the game. However, France overturned the deficit going into the second half with confidence and energy about them.

Australia hung around in the beginning but it was beginning to waver. The Aussies came out with the right approach and mentality against a French team that is banged up. They took advantage when the chances came but France won the last World Cup for a reason and the qualities, they were starting to put together showed exactly why they have been such a dominant force. Australia had very little of the ball. If something was going to happen, they would need to take advantage of the chances that they had. They’ve done that at the beginning, but being able to find their way back seemed like insurmountable. Even though France held on to a narrow lead, they had the majority of the ball and the chances and with the talent disparity it was always going to be tough. In The 68th minute dembele hits a well-timed cross into the box as Mbappe gets on the end of it heading at home as France to build a 3–1 lead. 2 minutes later Mbappe was the one facilitating with a fantastic delivery into Olivier Giroud connecting on a thunderous header scoring his 51st goal for France tying the all-time record as France end up running away with it with a 4–1 victory. Despite all their injuries, they managed to come and put together a master class performance. The French make a big statement that they still are the ones to be feared.

Prior to the tournament they were all these talks about France being the ones that were going to flop. That the injury list was too severe and that they would fall on their face. We can’t fight against what the reality is of holders of the World Cup. Four of the last five failed to make it out of the group. However, to use that stat against France doesn’t hold much water. Spain despite winning the Euros 2 years before they were on their last legs and their team lacked and insurgent of Young talent as the majority of the squad was on its last legs. Germany worked so hard to win the World Cup but the squad was aging when they won it and didn’t have the materials necessary to keep it going. Italy just flat out, collapsed and fell apart in a very short amount of time. Although there are injury concerns, this France team is young energetic with experienced young talents from the previous World Cup while still possessing some of the veterans them failing to get out of the group was not something that truly was going to happen. A very winnable group with the most difficult team being Denmark that didn’t put together a great performance on their opening match. There’s been a lot of criticism surrounding the French team for various reasons but against Australia despite how it started going a goal down and losing Lucas Hernandez France made a statement. With the pieces that they have both in the lineup and on the bench for depth still has a real quality. Even though Olivia Giroud is not Karim Benzema, he still showed his ability to perform on the big stage. No goals in 2018 and only 40 minutes. Played. Here at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. He’s already bagged a double. Mbappe is still the most dangerous player in the world when he is cooking and they continue to get contributions from their young pieces. Aurélien Tchouaméni completely dominated the midfield as he was in control the entire time. He did absolutely everything for the French team in their opening game against Australia. A playmaker with creativity and supreme intelligence. The way he controlled the game from middle was spectacular to watch. The 22-year-old playing in his first World Cup showing to everyone that even at his age he can be one of the best players at the tournament. France got contributions from the likes of dembele and Adrian Rabiot. Unsung heroes throughout the team They played collectively and they dominated the run of play once they felt their confidence. If you’re asking me, can this team win the World Cup they can. Brazil still should be the favorites to pick up the trophy at the end of this month, but with the explosive options that France have with experience and depth, they can take down almost anyone else and they could find themselves on the pathway to capture the World Cup again. They made a big statement and showed they still are a real problem at this tournament. This is not a team to be taken lightly or do underestimated. Underestimating France is about the worst thing you can do and the populace have already done that. They’ve awoken a giant injuries or not. This France team can beat anyone.