France peaking perfectly as they head to final
ST PETERSBURG: Should France go on to win the World Cup on Sunday, they would have peaked perfectly after starting the tournament in Russia slowly but gaining momentum when it mattered most.
The older players all played their role as leaders and the youngsters brought their energy. I have a squad with a good blend. They have co-habited happily together. Didier Deschamps, France coach
Tournament experience has been key for both the players and coach Didier Deschamps, who has learnt lessons from the last World Cup in Brazil, where they lost to Germany in the quarter-final, and the disappointment of missing out on home soil in the European Championship two years ago.
No more so than on Tuesday as they edged Belgium in the semifi nal to put themselves within one game of a second World Cup win, 20 years after their fi rst.
While there were questions asked after a far-from-inspiring s t a r t , whi c h i nc lude d a controversial win over Australia and narrowly beating Peru, France still expectedly secured a knockout round spot early from a first round group where they were heavy favourites. They have looked better in each game.
There were, however, no easy rides in the knockout stages where the French had to show their full capability in beating Argentina, Uruguay and then Belgium 1- 0 in Tuesday’s semi- fi nal at Saint Petersburg.
“We have prepared well, I can brag a little about that,” laughed Deschamps after securing a place in Sunday’s final in Moscow against either Croatia or England.
“The older players all played their role as leaders and the youngsters brought their energy. I have a squad with a good blend. They have co- habited happily together.
“No one complains and they all realise the importance of the competition. When there was an opportunity to be seized, they took it.”
There have been many positive aspects to their game. A lack of panic when they were 2-1 down against Argentina in the last16 before coming back to win a thriller 4- 3, and patience in breaking down stubborn Uruguay in the quarter-fi nals.
Against Belgium on Tuesday, France were watchful and disciplined.
“We have to give a lot of credit to the way France defended, even having certain attacking players defending very deep and giving us a lot of respect in that way,” said opposing coach Roberto Martinez.
For France, losing in the 2016 European Championships final to Portugal in Paris has provided added motivation.
“It was very difficult to accept what happened two years ago, and we do not want it to happen again. We want to finish this tournament in the best possible way,” said captain Hugo Lloris after another series of heroic saves on Tuesday.
Deschamps, who captained F rance’s only World Cup winning side in 1998, said the march to Sunday’s final has been underpinned by a steely determination.
“There is a spirit in the squad that can move mountains,” he said.
SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said luck was against his side as they fell short against France in the World Cup semi-fi nal on Tuesday, losing 1- 0 in Saint Petersburg as the ‘golden generation’ saw another chance slip away.
A Samuel Umtiti header from a corner was the difference between the European neighbours, with Belgium enjoying most of the possession without managing to break down a superb French defence.
“It was a very tight game. There were not many big moments that were going to decide the game and it came down to one dead-ball situation,” said Martinez of the 51st- minute goal that separated the sides.
“We had the ball and I think we have to give a lot of credit to France for the way they defended – they were very deep, they gave us a lot of respect in that way and yet we couldn’t find a bit of margin in front of goal, a little bit of luck.
“That was the difference, but if you’re going to lose, I’m so proud of the players. You have to accept it and congratulate France and wish them luck in the fi nal.”
Belgium had beaten Brazil in the quarter-fi nals but were hindered by the absence of suspended rightback Thomas Meunier against the French.
Midfielder Mousa Dembele came into their starting line-up, yet Martinez’s side seemed to miss the attacking thrust of Meunier down the flank.
“I didn’t see France running away with the game. It just came down to very small margins -- the fi rst goal was going to be vital.”
Belgium had won al l f ive matches in Russia coming into their meeting with the French, and had scored 14 goals in the process.
There will be no first World Cup fi nal for the Red Devils, and instead they must now try to lift themselves for the third- place play- off, back in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, against the loser of Wednesday’s semi-fi nal between England and Croatia.
“It’s a really sad dressing room now, because the opportunity of being in the final was the only focus we had,” added Martinez.
“We could easily have frozen. France were in the final of the Euros, but I don’t want any of my players to be frustrated or disappointed.
“We want to finish on a high, and these players deserve to fi nish on a high.”
Martinez added: “It is a difficult emotion to manage – you are disappointed because you have lost the semi-fi nal, and it is hard to see the opportunity of playing another game as a real positive.”
Belgium can still achieve their best- ever finish at a World Cup, bettering their performance in 1986, when they lost to Argentina in the semi- finals and then lost to the French in the third-place game.
This World Cup has represented progress for a team who lost in the quarter- finals of the 2014 tournament in Brazil and at Euro 2016. But Belgians will now wonder if they have seen the best chance for this talented generation of players to win a major international title.
Fortunately, skipper Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will all still be in their 20s by the time the next European Championship comes around in 2020.
“I think it’s too early to make any sort of assessment on the tournament,” said Martinez, who extended his contract through to 2020 shortly before the World Cup. — AFP