At the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, the French team led by Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet, Cisse, Vieira, Makelele and Thuram was determined to defend the title, but was eliminated from the group. In the first five World Cups of the 21st century, except for Brazil in 2006, the four champion teams of France, Italy, Spain and Germany suspended the group stage in the next World Cup.
This spell began in France and was finally broken by France. At the 974 Stadium in the early hours of November 27, thanks to Kylian Mbappe's goal, France beat Denmark 2-1 and qualified from Group D early after two consecutive wins, becoming the first team to advance to the knockout stage of this World Cup. Coach Deschamps bluntly said that the team has completed the first small goal, and the harsh sound from the outside world can be stopped.
Be the first to qualify
There are no "fairy tales" this morning, and France has achieved small goals
As World Cup winners in 2018, the French team were not the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar. Last summer's Euro 1/8 final was eliminated by Switzerland, and the UEFA Nations League was poorly performed, with many of the team's main players absent due to injury, including manager Deschamps' formation, and the outside world can always find the unfavorable factor of the team's defense of the title.
Especially this morning's game against Denmark, France was not optimistic before the game. In this year's UEFA Nations League, France lost twice, and there was even Benzema and N'Golo Kante on the field. The Danes also know very well that strangling Mbappe's left corridor is equivalent to cutting off France's most important attack point, and after the experience of the UEFA Nations League, as long as Mbappe has the ball, the Danish defenders have also found an effective response.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates the goal and he scored twice. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
Looking at the whole game, Denmark, the "land of fairy tales", did cause enough trouble for the defending champions, and even equalized the score late in the game, but the win and loss were only in a split second, and France seized the few chances to finish the game. Teo Hernández and Griezmann's precise pass found the no-ball Mbappe, who scored easily to give France the last laugh.
Deschamps said after the game that he had not worried about being out of the group, and that qualifying from the group round early was not a relief, but had completed the first small goal, "I can only say that I and the players are very happy. I don't feel anxious about the previous data and the so-called 'curse', these things can be changed. ”
The manager will be on the general
Mbappe is a "locomotive" with more than one leader
After scoring twice against Denmark, the 23-year-old broke a number of records, bringing his total World Cup goals to seven, surpassing Henry's six goals in the all-time rankings behind Fontaine's 13. Scoring seven goals before the age of 24, Mbappe and Pele are tied for first place in World Cup history for 24-year-old strikers.
In the view of coach Deschamps, the leaders of a team can be divided into three types: physical, technical and mental. Paul Pogba did not play with the team, and Mbappe was not the player who took over the voice, "but he is the 'locomotive' of the team and also a leader. There are others on this team who know what kind of speech to make. ”
Although not explicitly stated within the team, the main goalkeeper and captain Lowry is the spiritual leader of this French team. Griezmann, who has played 69 consecutive games for France, is also one of the team's leaders: "I don't say a lot in the dressing room, but on the pitch, I will take responsibility and lead everyone with practical actions. ”
Griezmann's threading is indispensable in the French team. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
As the top scorer in the team for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, Griezmann has not scored in this World Cup, but it does not hinder his status in the team and his pivotal role in the team. In the first two games of the group stage, Griezmann not only sent key passes in the front court to create excellent opportunities, but also returned to the back to complete the solution and steal, and was the biggest behind-the-scenes hero of the team's early qualification.
Before the start of the World Cup, the French team lost N'Golo Kante, Pogba, Meignan, Nkunku, Kimpembe, Benzema and other big players, and the main full-back Lucas Hernandez was injured in the opening game. The squad currently only has 24 players available, but within the framework of the current squad, the coaching staff has maximized the potential of players in almost every position.
On the back line, Yu Palmecano can partner with Konate and Varane as a central defender, and Teo Hernandez, Pavard and Conde can all play as starting full-backs. With Griezmann in midfield, Rabiot and Chuameni are playing more and more solidly. As for the forward line, not only the in-form Mbappe, Giroud and Dembele, but also Thuram Jr. and Koeman on the bench can also plug and play.
Teammates such as Kylian Mbappe and Dembele (right) celebrate.
At 23:00 on 30 November, France will face Tunisia, who have little hope of qualifying from the group in the final round, and Deschamps, who are not under pressure, will have a chance to try other possibilities in the existing squad. One position ahead of Brazil, Spain, England and other teams to advance to the round of 16, this French team has already shown its championship appearance.
Beijing News reporter Xu Bangyin
Edited by Wang Chunqiu
Proofreader Zhao Lin