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Argentina-France, legendary match
For nearly 70 minutes, or even a little more, you had to be a fan of Argentina to take pleasure in this one-sided meeting.
And then the magic happened.
The magic of soccer.
The one that allowed this final to switch into legend… A breathtaking dramaturgy, making the two teams, their supporters and simple ball lovers go through all the emotions after these two goals signed by Mbappé in two minutes.
Suspense, reversal of the situation, moments of extreme tension, opportunities on both sides to make a difference… Stars there too, that helps.
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues against Argentina: Doctor Jekyll and Mister Mbappé
Mbappé, unfortunate hero
In the first period, Bondy's crack played hide and seek.
At the start of the second, he was unsuccessful.
And it was time to wake up.
A penalty that changes everything in the 80th, an incredible goal in the 82nd and the courage to convert a second penalty, in the 118th minute.
In the meantime, the Argentine defense had loosened the grip and Mbappé finally had space.
The one that allows him to touch the stars.
He was very close to making the decision, with the pass or on his own like a grown-up, at the end of regulation time and still in overtime.
Tripled in the final?
A first since Geoff Hurst in 1966 with England.
Still, the Parisian had a long indigestible match, before touching on genius and showing his courage, his composure.
"
There is a handover that has taken place, between a generation arriving in the last phase and a new one, led by Kylian, who has shown strong leadership in this tournament.
And even more in this final
, ”said Hugo Lloris after the match.
The Mbappé generation, dubbed by his “
friend
” Pelé.
Messi finally crowned
The fifth will have been the good one.
For his fifth and last participation in the World Cup, Lionel Messi, 35, lifted the timpani, this trophy he has dreamed of again and again.
A coronation that he went for with his teeth, with his penalties of course (4), but everything else too, his leadership, his talent, his class.
The debate over the best player in history may have been closed yesterday either by the Pulga, who pulled away to score that third fox goal on Sunday evening.
A Chip that we have seen more grumpy, expansive than usual, Messi on a mission in Qatar.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Messi, a consecration worthy of Maradona
Kolo Muani, the surprise guest
Unlikely.
We know the qualities of Randal Kolo Muani, whom we have seen promising in Nantes and rather prominent since his arrival in Frankfurt.
When he was called up by Deschamps following the withdrawal of Christopher Nkunku, his destiny was to be that of a substitute at the end of the bench, that of the potential hero in the World Cup final... Preferred to Kingsley Coman during the double change of the 39th minute, in order to replace Ousmane Demebele, the native of Bondy shone with his desire, his determination at first.
And he totally let go of the horses, taking advantage of the spaces in this crazy end to the game.
It was he who caused the penalty for hope (79th), and he was on the verge of making the difference at the end of extra time, with in particular this duel lost against Emiliano Martinez.
The story would have been amazing.
She is already beautiful.
In addition, Kolo Muani converted his shot on goal.
"
A match like any other
”: this is what he said about his approach to the event, before this final.
He then recovered, but the facts showed that he played naturally, simply, with the momentum that the Tricolors had long lacked.
scratches
The shameful 70 minutes of the Blues
What happened on the lawn of Lusail so that we did not recognize the France team for 60 minutes on Sunday evening?
Where had the collective strength of the defending champions evaporated?
To be frank, from the stands, between colleagues, we looked at each other for a long time to try to understand.
No impact, technical errors galore, not to mention numerous inaccuracies and a total inability not to respond to the physical challenge of the Argentines.
The Blues gave the impression of discovering each other, of playing together for the first time, like Giroud, Griezmann or even Varane, totally amorphous.
“
They are playing a World Cup final, not us.
“Blowed Deschamps at the break, annoyed and forced to try things with two changes from the 39th minute of play (Kolo Muani and Thuram for Dembélé and Giroud).
We know the scenario afterwards, with a match that turned into the grandiose, but these 60 minutes were unworthy of the status of the French.
Read alsoWorld Cup: the great story of the epic of the Blues
The pathetic arbitration of Mr. Szymon Marciniak
For a World Cup final, you need a referee at the level and the Polish Mr. Szymon Marciniak missed his appointment.
In large widths.
Already, on the more than generous penalty awarded to Angel Di Maria in the first period, he set the tone for what his meeting could be.
Missed.
If he whistled two logical penalties in favor of the French, converted by Kylian Mbappé, the evening official was especially missed for not having released a yellow card when the game deserved it.
How Messi, guilty of a gesture of annoyance in the second half, did not take a warning?
Ditto for Romero or other Argentinians… This is not an excuse but a simple observation.
Mr Szymon Marciniak was afraid to sanction the Albiceleste, like many
other referees in this World Cup.
Fifa is also responsible.
Read alsoWorld Cup: after a legendary final, Argentina dethrones France with a heroic Mbappé
The weakness of the French on penalties
As in 2006, during the final lost against Italy and in 2021 with the elimination in the round of 16 against Switzerland, the Blues saw their dream fly away after a penalty shootout.
Sunday evening, the Argentinians, with an expert Emiliano Martinez in this field, made short work of the France team.
With Tchouaméni's shot off target and Coman's shot stopped, the session was short-lived.
Opposite, Hugo Lloris, whose difficulties in this exercise are known, did not divert any of them.
Yet Kylian Mbappé, who had missed his attempt against Switzerland at the Euro, had not slipped away when taking responsibility for the first shot, after having validated two penalties in this match.
For the record, it's been 24 years and since Fabien Barthez against the
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