Despite many injured players, France made an excellent start to the World Cup – and are early in the round of 16. Didier Deschamps’ team could do something in Qatar that France last did in the 1980s: inspire the public instead of just being respected.
Kylian Mbappé scored both goals for France in the 2-1 win against Denmark – the striker has scored 14 in the last 12 matches.
The appearance of the French team at this World Cup is a very special one. Because no matter how the tournament ends for the French, unless the French defend their world title, their performance should always be viewed in the light of what would have been possible if the circumstances had been different.
Suddenly there was only a torso left of the title favorite
If struggling midfielder Paul Pogba hadn’t been injured. If Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté, Pogba’s partner and midfield backstop four years ago (and thus the real reason for France’s stability), had been there. If the centre-forward Karim Benzema had not made his place available for a replacement immediately before the tournament started. In addition, the failure of Bayern defender Lucas Hernandez. Of the team that was usually first named as the favorite, there was suddenly only a torso left.
However, the results so far have been extremely positive. In the opening game, the French won 4-1 against Australia despite coming from behind. And in the second match against the Danes it was enough for a 2:1. The result did not do justice to the spectacle. It was a wonderful football game. With two teams that couldn’t have been more different, with individually still brilliant French players, but also with a Danish team that worked better overall.
While the French dominated for 45 minutes, they had more chances and when Kylian Mbappé kicked well over the goal from a prime position, some may have wondered what Karim Benzema would have done with such an opportunity.
The second half showed that both teams were much closer together than the French dominance initially suggested. Although the French took the lead through Mbappé, Denmark then determined the action, equalized through defender Andreas Christensen and could even have taken the lead. In fact, it was Mbappé who decided the encounter with his 14th goal in the last twelve matches.
The Equipe tricolore plays more entertaining than ever
The French can draw all sorts of insights from the game. The potential of the team is still enormous. Antoine Griezmann’s move from attack to midfield showed the Atletico pro’s enormous understanding of the game. Ousmane Dembélé learned to defend under Didier Deschamps. In addition, the team plays more entertaining than ever.
This performance has nothing to do with the rational appearances at the last tournaments, in which the French often presented themselves as extremely effective. It cannot be ruled out that the French will succeed in something at this World Cup that they last did in the 1980s, when Platini, Giresse and Tigana determined the French game: to inspire the public instead of just being respected.