Emotional Aftermath Lingers for French National Team
It’s not surprising that the French national football team still feels the effects of their emotional defeat in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, a loss that has haunted the squad for the past four years.
France’s Ambitious Title Defense
Looking to reclaim their 2018 World Cup title, France faced Argentina in a match that has since been heralded as one of the greatest finals in history. Despite Kylian Mbappé’s remarkable performance—making him only the second player ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final—France ultimately fell short, losing in a penalty shootout.
Momentum Builds for Success in 2026
Four years after that heartbreaking experience, France enters the latest tournament neither content nor despairing. Following a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16, the team is poised to become the first to reach the final three consecutive times since Brazil achieved the feat between 1994 and 2002.
Showcasing Depth and Talent
Saturday’s match highlighted the impressive depth and skill of the French lineup. The contest remained goalless for an extended period as Paraguay tightened their defensive formations. However, the introduction of substitute Désiré Douai in the 61st minute proved pivotal. On many other teams, Douai would be a star player; for France, he simply adds to an already luxurious roster.
Mbappé Shines Again
Douai’s aggressive offensive play resulted in a penalty kick, which Mbappé successfully converted, bringing his tournament total to seven goals and elevating his overall World Cup tally to 19—just one shy of Lionel Messi’s record of 20 goals in World Cup history.
Dominance Established in the Group Stage
Signs of France’s superiority became apparent during the group stage of the tournament. They kicked off the 2026 World Cup with a 3-1 win against Senegal, followed by a dominating 3-0 triumph over Iraq. Even when Norway opted to rest many of their top players in their final Group I game, France maintained their momentum, securing a 4-1 victory.
Strategic Play by Paraguay
In their match against France, Paraguay attempted an overly defensive strategy, crowding their defensive third to stifle the French attack. Although they managed to keep the score even in the first half, the tide turned in the second half as France’s superior skill became evident. While Paraguay’s strategy included physical play, it ultimately fell short against a motivated and talented French side.
Next Steps for France
As the final whistle blew, a jubilant Mbappé celebrated the victory, picking up where he left off in 2022. He currently ties for the lead in the Golden Boot race with Messi, both having scored seven goals in this World Cup. With support from teammates Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Oliseh, the French attack is proving to be incredibly formidable. Following their triumph over Paraguay, France is set to face Morocco, revisiting their 2022 semi-final match, which they won 2-0. While Morocco seeks redemption, they will face the challenge of a hungry French squad eager to continue their journey in the tournament.
