France on the way to two-time World Cup

France’s victory over England in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals marked the first country since Brazil in 1998 to advance to the semifinals of a World Cup as defending champions. And a victory in Qatar 2022 for the French would make them the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

France have a great scoring threat in Kylian Mbappe, who has scored five times in Qatar (through the quarter-finals). Another of the prominent profiles in this World Cup is Olivier Giroud, who has scored four goals. Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni have been key in midfield.

Mbappé is (so far) the team’s all-time top scorer and is on his way to the Boot and the Ballon d’Or at the 2022 World Cup.

The game was not yet over, but France led 2-1 when Kane, England’s captain and best player, stepped up to take an equalizing penalty in the 84th minute of Saturday’s game at Al Bayt Stadium.

He sent his shot high over the bar and defending champions France held on to win for a place in the semi-finals.

“That’s football. There’s nobody I’d rather have in that situation and if we had one tomorrow I’d feel exactly the same way,” England manager Gareth Southgate said.

France will face Morocco on Wednesday for a place in the final.

“We are reaching the semifinals. We are closer to the final and this was an important achievement tonight and we can believe it, but we have an important game on Wednesday. In the past, the world champions did not always do well in the next World Cup and we have succeeded,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.

deportes@eleconomista.mx