No one has been able to defend a World Cup successfully for 60 years. Pelé's Brazil did it and, since then, many have tried without success. France has joined the queue and will have their chance on Sunday. The Russian champion in 2018 will also be a finalist in Qatar after completing an almost immaculate journey, without too many surprises beyond the precious battle that England put up in the quarterfinals. But plenty of talent, sometimes due to pride, others because they didn't need it, Deschamps' team has not shown itself to be a perfect machine.
Nine minutes into the World Cup, Lloris (35) was already picking up the ball from his goal after Australian Goodwin's shot. The scene, with different timers, has been repeated in all the games until the semifinal, the only duel of the tournament in which France was able to leave a clean sheet. No team has beaten Lloris twice, already at the top of blue history with 144 caps, ahead of Lilian Thuram –father of his teammate Marcus– in the round of 16. But without gross failures that are obvious, the defense has not been a lock, faults that must be distributed among all the lines. As for names, Deschamps lost Lucas Hernández in the first stake. But family things stay in the family, and it was his brother Theo who took over on the left with remarkable success, with the icing on the cake of the goal against Morocco. On the other side, Koundé has won the game over Pavard, the starter in 2018. And, in the center, Varane and Upamecano, with the occasional collaboration of Konaté, are the two towers that try to prevent the spread of the routes of Water.
Deschamps' drawing only features two ID card midfielders. And there, in the middle of the engine room, is where Tchouaméni stands out, whom the technician has incorporated into his team with astonishing ease. The madridista, the only Frenchman to have started all 6 games, not only brings pause with the ball and forcefulness without it, but is also capable of stepping into the opponent's field and launching missiles like the one that brought down Pickford in the quarterfinals . He is always escorted by Rabiot, who complements his display with a quality touch. But the wayward footballer, fixed for Deschamps since 2020, is one of those for whom it is difficult to see all the virtues without a coach's prism.
Mbappé is not alone and without his entourage of attackers the success of France would not be understood. With Dembélé somewhat more subdued, Griezmann is the great catalyst. He has distributed three assists, two decisive against England, and his teammates feed on his mobility. Ahead, the incombustible Giroud (36) drinks from the same magical fountain as Lloris and adds 4 goals with which he has surpassed Henry as the top French gunner.
Without having yet turned 24, Mbappé is looking at his second World Cup, a milestone that O'Rei signed at the age of 22. He does it having sealed 5 goals, the same as Messi, his rival in the final. Beyond the figures, the Parisian star has collaborated in all the games of the blues, and has always shone. He is fine and it shows. With the peace of mind of having secured the future for a few years, his figure does not stop growing, as does his ascendancy in the French game. When things go wrong, everyone looks at him and he always responds.
In France, Mundial is written with d for Deschamps. Captain in the first title, harvested in 1998, the coach celebrates a decade in Qatar on the blue bench and does so enjoying the opportunity to revalidate the crown of four years ago. His successes have not allowed him to dribble criticism but they have all been answered with results. He is a legend.
