Reaction to Argentina winning World Cup
Following is a roundup of reaction to Argentina winning their third World Cup after beating France 4-2 on penalties, with Lionel Messi scoring twice and Kylian Mbappe grabbing a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw.
Emmanuel Macron Sport News
Champions! Lionel Messi leads Argentina to electrifying World Cup victory over France
Argentina has beaten reigning champions France in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after extra time and penalties in an electrifying encounter.
French brace for World Cup final, hide 'Argentine' station name
PARIS: French shopkeepers boarded up stores on Paris' Champs-Elysees avenue for potential celebrations while the capital's metro covered up the name of the "Argentine" station in preparation for Sunday's (Dec 18) World Cup final.
Macron defends World Cup trip amid Qatar graft scandal
BRUSSELS: President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (Dec 15) stood by his decision to travel to Qatar to support France's World Cup team, despite allegations linking the Gulf monarchy to corruption in the European Parliament.
Formidable France in familiar territory in World Cup final
The inspirational leadership of Didier Deschamps and a deep pool of talent have turned France into the most formidable force in international football as they prepare to face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final.
Formidable France in familiar territory in World Cup final
DOHA: The inspirational leadership of Didier Deschamps and a deep pool of talent have turned France into the most formidable force in international football as they prepare to face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final. France arrived in Qatar aiming to defy the fate of many recent holders, even as a flood of injuries threatened to derail their title defense. The reigning champions had been knocked out in the group stage in four of the past five tournaments, including France themselves in 2002. But Deschamps’ side have, in his own words, “reversed the trend” and after beating Morocco 2-0 in the last four on Wednesday, they have the chance to make history in the final at Lusail Stadium. No team have retained the trophy since Brazil in 1962, while no reigning champions had even made the final since the Brazilians in 1998. That team lost in Paris to a France side captained by Deschamps, who has been there for almost all of his country’s finest moments at major tournaments over a generation. After leading them to glory four years ago, he can become the first coach to win two World Cups since Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s. “Deschamps has been to three finals now, and he wins them,” French President Emmanuel Macron said after making a flying visit to Qatar for the semifinal. “Things always come in threes. Didier Deschamps brings luck as well as talent, so we are going to win it and bring the trophy home.”
Dream of World Cup final over but Moroccans hail heroes
They may have fallen just short of reaching the World Cup final, but Moroccans on Wednesday hailed their team's historic run as it ended with a 2-0 defeat to reigning champions France.
France now look to retain World Cup title against Messi's Argentina
Morocco coach Walid Regragui says the only regret he has about the team’s loss to France in the semi-finals is conceding so early in the match.