France reached their third World Cup final in history and is aiming to take the trophy home for the second time ever.
Since their European success in 1984 with Michel Platini, France won the World Cup in 1998 at home soil, went on to win the Euros in 2000 over Italy, and ultimately had an extraordinary runner-up effort in Germany in 2006.
France team is among the best in the ongoing world cup.Let’s take a look to France’s top 5 players from the tournament.
5) Hugo Lloris / Goalkeeper
France’s defence has allowed four goals in the World Cup, and its success starts with the captain and the leading voice in goal. Hugo Lloris is playing his third World Cup with France, and his position in goalkeeping duties has been undisputed for 10 years.
Lloris has been an integral part of France’s current success in Russia. In France’s six matches, Lloris took part in five and conceded four goals, and three of those came in the 4-3 win over Argentina, the other one a penalty in France’s 2-1 debut over Australia.
4) Paul Pogba / Midfielder
Manchester United player, Paul Pogba, has been a top contributor in France’s effort to reach the World Cup final. Pogba’s display in the midfield is an essential part for France.
After a down year at Manchester with alleged problems with coach Jose Mourinho, Pogba has reemerged as one of the most prominent midfielders in the world.
3) Kylian Mbappé / Forward
Mbappé is an exciting part in France’s run. His brace over Argentina worked as an essential spark during the French side performance in the World Cup.
In the group stage, he played all three matches and added the goal in a 1-0 victory over Peru to become France’s youngest goalscorer for France and sealed his team’s step to the second round.
Versus Argentina, Mbappé forced a penalty in the 12th minute after a fantastic show of speed and dribbling. In the second half of the match, after Argentina was able to take the lead thanks to a Gabriel Mercado goal in the early stages, Mbappé continued to perform well and lead the offensive charge for his team.
2) Antoine Griezmann / Forward
The Atlético Madrid forward plays an integral part both in attacking display and with his effort to help out in defence and be a leader in critical moments.
Griezmann has scored three goals in the World Cup, two penalties, and a goal versus Uruguay in the quarterfinals. But Griezmann’s efforts can’t be judged by his goal-tally, he’s been perfect in setpieces, providing assists to Varane in the round of eight and to Umtiti in the semis.
The French forward leads the team in attempts with 17, in passes completed by a forward with 155 (76%), and five crosses completed. Also, Griezmann is France’s only forward with at least 20 recoveries in the tournament with 22.
1) N’Golo Kanté / Midfielder
Kanté’s display in the midfield has been beyond brilliant. His play in his side’s the half of the pitch is enormous and allows Pogba and Matuidi to attack without worries of leaving their team with vulnerability in the midfield.
Kanté is everywhere on the pitch, anytime France is attacking, the Chelsea midfielder is always waiting in the perfect spot to prevent a counter-attack by the opposing side and try making a fast transition to an offensive attempt.
Kanté leads the Deschamps-led squad in recoveries with 48; the second player has 38 (Pogba). The defensive midfielder has 19 interceptions, which leads France.
#hivisasaworldcup