Mbappé leads France into World Cup against Senegal undefeated in qualifiers By Beatriz
5 min read
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A clash of high expectations will mark the opening of Group I of the World Cup, when the teams of France and Senegal take the field at 4 am, Japanese standard time, on the 17th. More than a simple opening game, the clash is full of expectations for both powers, who seek to redeem themselves from recent episodes and start their journey with the affirmation of their potential.
The French delegation, in turn, carries with it the conviction that the only way to overcome the bitter defeat four years ago is to win the ultimate title.
The previous edition of the championship ended in a painful outcome for France, who were beaten by Argentina in a penalty shootout in the final. The longed-for third star on the shield faded.
In their ambition to lift the trophy again, the team fielded their most robust squad, showcasing world-class talent in every sector of the pitch. Outstanding players such as Kylian Mbappé, the top scorer in the last tournament, and Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the Ballon d’Or the previous year, make up a true constellation of stars.
The team presents an exemplary performance, not only in attack, but also in defense, which appears to be almost insurmountable. During the European qualifiers, the team recorded the notable record of giving up, on average, less than four shots to opponents per match. The goal is vigorously protected by brothers Lucas Hernández and Theo Hernández, high-performance defenders, and by Ibrahima Konaté, renowned for his precise tackles, making the mission of finding gaps in the French rearguard extremely arduous.
At the head of this talented group is coach Didier Deschamps, who has led the national team since 2012. His career includes winning the World Cup as captain in 1998 and, later, as coach, he guided France to its second world title in 2018, an unprecedented feat since the 1998 victory. He is one of only three individuals in the history of football to win the tournament both as a player and as a coach, being a fundamental piece in the construction of the golden era of French football.
The experienced Deschamps implemented significant changes, such as reducing team meetings from 45 to 10 minutes, prioritizing efficiency and focusing on intense work, both offensive and defensive. Throughout his years in command, he cultivated strong bonds of trust with the athletes, each with their distinctive personalities.
There is an expectation that this prestigious commander will end his career after the tournament. This championship would represent the culmination of his 14 years at the helm of the French national team. The question remains whether he will be able to lift a third championship trophy, concluding his remarkable journey in glorious fashion.
- Previous history: Champion (twice)
- Previous tournament position: Runner-up
- Qualifiers trajectory: First place in Group D of the European Qualifiers, with five wins and one draw
Kylian Mbappé’s performance and the star’s recent challenges
He became the central figure of the squad and the Bleus’ main weapon. In the last competition, he recorded a *hat-trick* in the final and became the top scorer. This season, despite dealing with a knee problem, he scored five goals in four European qualifying games. His searing counterattacks are, without a doubt, one of the highlights to watch in this tournament. However, in April, the player suffered an injury to his left hamstring during a match. There were also rumors involving trips with his partner during the recovery period and disagreements with Real Madrid coach Arbeloa about his performance on the field. The big question is what impact all these events will have on their performance in the World Cup.
The Senegalese team, in turn, has followed a recent path full of adversity.
The African Cup of Nations, which lasted from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, was the scene of a controversy involving Senegal. In the final, against Morocco, a penalty was awarded to the opponents in second-half stoppage time, after an unchanged score. Unhappy with the decision, Senegalese coach Thiau instructed his players to retreat to the locker room. The game was temporarily suspended and, after resuming, Senegal managed to score in extra time, winning the championship. However, two months later, the team was stripped of the title, as the temporary suspension of the match was considered a “defeat by W.O.”.
Additionally, coach Thiau was penalized with a fine of US$100,000 and a five-game suspension. Athletes Ndiaye and Sarr also received two-match suspensions. Although these sanctions did not affect their participation in the World Cup, the episode left a bitter taste.
The “Lions of Teranga”, with their pride hurt, entered the field driven by a strong desire for reparation. They secured their place at the world tournament for the third time in a row, going through the African qualifiers unbeaten and finishing top of their group.
A notable aspect of the team is its consistent defense. In the qualifiers, they demonstrated an almost impenetrable rearguard, conceding just three goals in ten matches. In command of this defensive line is captain Kalidou Koulibaly, nicknamed “The Wall” for his remarkable solidity. In April, he suffered a thigh injury during training with his club Al-Hilal. Concerns persist as he had not yet returned to the starting line-up in May.
Four years ago, at the World Cup in Qatar, Senegal was eliminated in the round of 16 by England. Current coach Thiaw was one of the players who was part of the team that reached the quarter-finals in the 2002 World Cup, held in Japan and Korea, the country’s best performance to date. He aspires to surpass this historic mark.
- Best previous performance: Quarter-finals
- Last tournament result: Round of 16
- Qualifier campaign: First place in Group B of the African Qualifiers, with seven wins and three draws
Sadio Mané’s legacy and his crucial role in bringing the team together
Sadio Mané played for Liverpool for seven years, starting in 2016, earning him the title of “Pride of Senegal”. He holds the record for goals scored by a Senegalese athlete in the Premier League and was the team’s top scorer, with five goals, in the African qualifiers.
His influence goes beyond skill on the field, extending to his remarkable leadership in squad cohesion. During the tumultuous final of the African Championship, he was responsible for calling his teammates back to the field, after they had taken refuge in the dressing room, highlighting his role as a spiritual pillar of the team. Mané is an admirer of former Brazilian star Ronaldinho Gaúcho and maintains a close friendship with Maya Yoshida, his former teammate at Southampton. Despite being called up to the national team in the previous tournament, an injury prevented him from participating. Now is the time to seek revenge for what happened four years ago.
