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Tag: France

  • Qatar 2022: How France resisted England to reach semi-finals

    Qatar 2022: How France resisted England to reach semi-finals

    Reigning champions, France resisted pressure from England on Saturday night to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after a 2-1 victory.

    The holders broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range strike into the bottom corner.

    England made a bright start to the second half, though, and were awarded a penalty after Bukayo Saka was tripped, and Harry Kane fired it into the back of the net.

    Olivier Giroud restored France’s lead in the 78th minute with a header from close range and the Three Lions had another chance to equalise from the spot, but Kane blazed that one high over the bar.

    With the win, France will face Morocco in the semi-final on Wednesday as they edge closer to completing a successful title defence.

  • I hope France win the World Cup – AC Milan coach, Pioli

    I hope France win the World Cup – AC Milan coach, Pioli

    AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli admits he’s supporting France at the World Cup.

    Milan pair Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez are key players for France’s World Cup run to the quarterfinals.

    “I hope France win the World Cup and I am cheering them on to go all the way, because I support my players,” he said when receiving the Gigi Simoni award for fair play and sportsmanship.

    “I am in contact to see how they are doing, especially after a game.

    “That’s the only rule really, otherwise they’re in trouble!”

  • Qatar 2022: ‘Who taught you that bro’ – Ozil reacts to Giroud’s goal

    Qatar 2022: ‘Who taught you that bro’ – Ozil reacts to Giroud’s goal

    Former Germany international, Mesut Ozil was happy for Olivier Giroud for scoring at the World Cup on Sunday.

    Giroud got the first goal in the round of 16, as France defeated Poland 3-1.

    “Nice goal… who taught you that bro,” he wrote alongside laughing, sunglasses and fire emojis.

    Giroud is now the leading scorer in the history of the French national team, passing Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

    Kylian Mbappe got the two other goals for France in the game, with Robert Lewandowski netting a consolation penalty for Poland.

  • World Cup: Mbappe strikes twice as France advance into quarter-finals

    World Cup: Mbappe strikes twice as France advance into quarter-finals

    Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe scores a brace as World Cup holders France coasted past Poland 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.

    AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud also scored to mark his 52nd goal for France to claim the country’s outright record, surpassing the great Thierry Henry.

    The historic goal came on the stroke of half-time after Giroud controlled Kylian Mbappe’s pass before converting low into the net beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny.

    But having provided the assist for the first goal, the brilliant Mbappe turned on the style by scoring two fabulous strikes in the second half.

    He hit a powerful drive into the roof of the net from 16 yards for his first and curled home a wonderful second in injury time to take the lead in the Golden Boot race with five goals.

    Didier Deschamps’ side had been left frustrated up until the opener and could well have fallen behind.

    Poland’s best opening in the first half came when the ball dropped for Piotr Zielinski in the centre of the penalty area, but his strike was straight at Hugo Lloris.

    Robert Lewandowski did manage a consolation for the Poles, rolling in a penalty with the last kick of the game.

    England and Senegal meet on Sunday for the right to play France in next Saturday’s quarter-final.

    BBC

  • Qatar 2022: Olivier Giroud breaks France goal scoring record

    Qatar 2022: Olivier Giroud breaks France goal scoring record

    Olivier Giroud has overtaken Thierry Henry to become France’s all-time top men’s scorer, netting his 52nd for Les Bleus in the World Cup round of 16 game against Poland on Sunday.

    The AC Milan striker had tied Henry’s record 51 goals for the national team in France’s 4-1 win against Australia in their opening World Cup Group D match earlier in the tournament.

    Giroud, 36, became France’s oldest goalscorer with his header in a 2-0 win over Austria on Sept. 22, which took him to within two goals of the record, while his brace against the Socceroos in Qatar saw him pass Zinedine Zidane as his country’s oldest scorer at a World Cup.

    The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is now his country’s outright top scorer, followed by Henry, who netted 51 times from 123 caps between 1997 and 2010. Antoine Griezmann has 42 goals, Michel Platini has 41 and Karim Benzema has 37.

    Giroud made his France debut aged 25 in 2011 when he came off the bench in a friendly win against the United States and scored his first international goal against Germany a year later.

    He has since scored 51 goals in 117 appearances for the national team and helped Didier Deschamps’ side win the World Cup in 2018, although he did not score in the finals.

    His presence in France’s squad, which had been in doubt ahead of the World Cup, wound up being very fortuitous for Deschamps after Benzema was ruled out before their first game due to injury.

    Giroud has enjoyed a glittering career at club and international level, winning Ligue 1, Serie A, the Champions League, the Europa League, and four FA Cup titles across spells with Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Milan.

  • Qatar 2022: Gallant Tunisians bow out after defeating France 1-0

    Qatar 2022: Gallant Tunisians bow out after defeating France 1-0

    The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia bowed out of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup on a high after defeating the Le Blues of France 1-0 to garner four points in the last match of group D.

    The Tunisians drew 0-0 with Denmark in its opening game but lost 0-1 to Australia who eventually finished second in the group.

    Griezmann thought he had maintained France’s eight-year unbeaten World Cup run right at the death, yet VAR replays showed he was in an offside position and the equalizer was ruled out.

    Wahbi Khazri was the hero for Jalel Kadri’s side here, turning home what proved the only goal of the game just before the hour mark.

    Nevertheless, in the end Khazri’s strike meant very little for Tunisia, as Australia kept hold of second place in Group D by edging a 1-0 victory of their own over Denmark.

    Australia and France both finished with six points but France top group D on goal difference.

    Both nations will wait to  know their fate as they look forward to playing  opponents in group C which comprises of Poland, Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

  • Benzema ready to rejoin France World Cup squad

    Benzema ready to rejoin France World Cup squad

    Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could rejoin France’s World Cup squad this week.

    RMC Sport says Benzema has practically recovered from injury and there are rumors that indicate that the Real Madrid striker could return to the Qatar 2022 World Cup with the French national team.

    After leaving the concentration of the French national team in Qatar, the winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2022, has already had communication with coach Didier Deschamps to return.

    France has not eliminated him from the World Cup list. The striker could return to the French national team if he is fully recovered. FIFA regulations allow it.

    At the moment, Karim Benzema is in Madrid, waiting for the approval of his doctors to make another trip to Qatar for a last test with the French doctors.

  • Theo Hernandez makes World Cup history with France

    Theo Hernandez makes World Cup history with France

    AC Milan fullback Theo Hernandez has made World Cup history with France.

    The 25-year-old came off the bench against Australia, due to his brother Lucas’ injury, and he responded with an assist for Adrien Rabiot.

    Then last night, he started and assisted Kylian Mbappe’s first goal.

    As highlighted by Opta, it’s the first time a French defender has bagged an assist in two consecutive games at the World Cup since 1966 (when they started collecting the data).

  • Qatar 2022: France zooms past Denmark 2-1 to go top of group D

    Qatar 2022: France zooms past Denmark 2-1 to go top of group D

    Paris Saint Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe scored two second-half goals to secure second-round qualification for France at the Mundial.

    Mbappe scored in the 61st and 86th minute to power France to the second round of the tournament.

    Recall that France crashed out of the tourney in 2022 after winning as host in 1998.

    The victory puts France clear atop Group D with six points, and Les Bleus become the first nation at the 2022 World Cup to mathematically secure a knockout stage place.

    It was a resounding performance from France throughout, and Les Bleus were unlucky to reach halftime without securing the opener. They finally managed to do so just past the hour mark, as Mbappe snuck a shot between two defenders and past an in-form Kasper Schmeichel to put France in front.

    The Danish team gave it their all but all effort to secure at least a point in the game proved abortive.

    They had equalized through Andreas Christensen header in the  68th minute  but couldn’t hang on as the French team were relentless and continued to mount pressure on them before Mbappe scored the winner inside 86th minute.

    France had been beaten twice by Denmark at the Nations League but Le Blues nicked it when it mattered most securing another three points and cementing their place on top of the group plus almost certainly getting a second round qualification..

     

  • Qatar 2022: Varane likely to feature for France – Deschamps

    Qatar 2022: Varane likely to feature for France – Deschamps

    France coach Didier Deschamps has put Manchester United defender Raphael Varane on notice.

    Deschamps says Varane is fit for Saturday’s World Cup tie with Denmark.

    He said: “Raphaël Varane? He could have played the first game. He was fit.

    “It is not yesterday’s session (Thursday) that will change a lot. He is no less fit or more for the second. Afterwards, these are choices that can be linked to experience… He has it, that’s for sure.

    “He must be ready in his head and his body. I know he is. I will make the decision about that, especially.”