France Archives - Page 10 of 10 - The Cult of Calcio

Meanwhile in Moscow: Umtiti Brings France Back to WC Final

July 10, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Croatia, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

A flash in the night of Saint Petersburg, Samuel Umtiti’s header brought France back to a World Cup Final, 12 years after the bitter outcome of Berlin 2006. Didier Deschamps’ side prevailed in their Semi Final over Belgium with a lone goal by their Barcelona-based center back. Just like 4 years ago in Brazil, the Red Devils faded away in the decisive moment.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Maimed Uruguay Bend Knee to France

July 7, 2018 Diego Ottaviano France, Meanwhile In Moscow, Uruguay, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Et voila! Without Edinson Cavani’s genius – kept at bay by an injury – Uruguay evidenced their limits, and bent their knee to France. Les Bleus won 2-0 their Quarter Final match in Nizhny Novgorod with goals by Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann, showing cynicism and team solidarity. France's next opponents in the Semi Finals will be Belgium.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Mbappé Cancels Messi In Epic 4-3 Win

July 1, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Argentina, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

He is not even 20, and maybe that’s the least impressive thing about Kylian Mbappé, who led France to an epic 4-3 over Argentina yesterday in the first World Cup Round of 16 game, at the end of an unforgettable battle that also featured sensational goals on the part of Angel Di Maria and Benjamin Pavard. Absent without leave, once again, was Leo Messi.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Pogba Saves Bleus in Aussies Battle

June 16, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Australia, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

It took a little help from technology for France to overcome a gritty Australia, and gain their first three points in their World Cup run. The French benefited of the first penalty ever assigned via VAR in a world competition, but coach Didier Deschamps and his boys left Kazan with more doubts than certainties, despite goals scored by Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba.

Meteore Mondiali: Grosso, l’uomo dell’ultimo minuto

June 10, 2018 Antonio Guarini France, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup

“You will take the last penalty, because you have always been decisive so far.” This is what coach Marcello Lippi told Fabio Grosso before the penalty shootouts that determined the outcome of World Cup 2006 Final between Italy and France. Lippi’s choice to bet on a player who was not even part of his original starting lineup proved to be a winning one.

Meteore Mondiali: Guivarc’h, il Campione del Mondo senza goal

June 10, 2018 Antonio Guarini Meanwhile In Moscow, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup

Sometimes, you make it to history not because of what you did, but of what you didn't do. The France squad that won World Cup 1998 featured strikers like Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. Yet, their starting forward was Stephan Guivarc'h. Today's World Cup Meteor (Number 9 on the pitch, and in our countdown) is the striker who won a world title without scoring a goal.

Tag: France