Argentina vs France, FIFA World Cup Final: France coach Didier Deschamps said that losing the summit clash after coming so close hurts. France went down against Argentina on penalties 2-4 on Sunday.
In Short
- France staged incredible comeback twice before losing on penalties
- Kylian Mbappe scored twice and found success in the shootout as well
- Didier Deschamps is yet to decide his future as France coach
The defending champions France bounced back twice in the FIFA World Cup final before eventually losing to Argentina 2-4 in the penalty shootout on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps, who coached France to the 2018 glory, said that the 2022 final defeat is difficult to swallow after staging an incredible comeback in the second half and in extra time.
France, who were bidding to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, found their momentum soon after Deschamps made several changes by taking off the likes of Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez.
Kylina Mbappe converted a penalty and scored a brilliant volley to level the scores 2-2, taking the match into extra time. Lionel Messi and Mbappe took the scoreline to 3-3 before the final went into the penalty shootout.
“We came back from the brink, that’s what gives us so many regrets,” Deschamps said after the defeat.
“We’ve got a World Cup ball in the last minute but it was not meant to be. If we’re 2-0 down and then we lose 3-0, it’s different. You say ‘bravo’ t Argentina and that’s it.
“I still congratulate them, they played a great game, with a bit of gamesmanship, but we were expecting that and it does not take any merit from their victory.”
In the build up to the summit clash, France were hit by a virus and it was reflected in the first half as the defending champions lacked aggression. However, Deschamps said that he was not worries who would start the match.
“We did not have the energy we had in our previous games but I was not worried with any player who started the game tonight,” Deschamps said. “We were against a team who played a World Cup final while I had the feeling it was not our case.”
“(For the first two changes) I could not wait until halftime. Ousmane and Olivier took us to the final but they were not as good today. When things don’t work, you have to shake things up,” said Deschamps. “In the end, I’m very sad for my players, my staff.”
Deschamps, whose contract will expire at the end of the year, is yet to decide whether he wants to extend it. The France coach guided the team to reach the Euro 2016 final, World Cup 2018 glory, last year’s Nations League and now World Cup 2022 final.
“I’m having a meeting with my president at the beginning of the year. Then, you’ll know,” said Deschamps, who has been in charge since 2012.