How the USMNT helped France win the World Cup

France bested Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final in Russia. Looking powerful throughout the tournament, France went into the game as huge favorites, particularly given the form of winger Kylian Mbappe and forward Antoine Griezmann. Croatia’s main striker Mario Mandzukic would divert a cross into his own net to give Les Bleus the lead, but Ivan Perisic would equalize with a stunning volley. The Inter Milan man would later handle the ball in the area, and after consulting VAR, France would be awarded a penalty, which Griezmann converted. As Croatia pressured to try and score another equalizer, Mbappe’s pace would become too much to handle on the counter, with the teenager squaring for Griezmann who unselfishly passed to Paul Pogba who gave the French a two goal cushion. Mbappe then scored himself to all but seal the tie. Mandzukic would pull one back after an error from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but Croatia’s legs finally caught up with them, with all three of their previous knockout stage matches going to extra time. Croatia should be incredibly proud of all they have achieved, with Perisic, Ivan Rakitic, and Luka Modric outstanding throughout their journey to the final. Modric won the Golden Ball, given to the player of the tournament, and despite being poor today, Daniel Subasic was one of several keepers battling for the Golden Glove. Croatia have blessed the world with their tenacity and heart, and they will be one to watch for years to come. They overcame some fierce opponents in the group stage, and bested Denmark, Russia, and England to reach their first ever final. Many thought the England match would be a step too far, but Croatia showed just how much they wanted to be in the final, and shocked the former winners in the semis. England and Belgium would face off in the third place match, which the Red Devils would win 2-0 courtesy of goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard. 

France win their second ever World Cup, and their first for twenty years. Mbappe broke record after record in Russia, winning the Young Player of the Tournament in the process, and the French team as a whole were no doubt the strongest in attendance. France, like Croatia, were in a tricky group, and they also had to beat Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium en route to the final. They were solid at the back, hardworking in midfield, and lethal in attack, with particular stars including Mbappe, Griezmann, Pogba, Lloris, and Ngolo Kante. France were well deserving of their victory, and their World Cup title. 

Something of note however would be the French’s final warm up game before they headed to Russia in mid June. They took on the USA in Paris. Having not qualified for the World Cup, the USMNT are in a state of rebuild, and fielded a very inexperienced team in this match. Julian Green opened the scoring for the US, and they frankly should’ve won the game, with Mbappe the only reason why they only managed a draw. This was certainly a wake up call for France, who hadn’t looked all that impressive in their other friendly matches despite clocking wins. The USA team that they faced were fearless, youthful, passionate, and hardworking, and these attributes would be true of each and every team that France would later face in Russia. This shock to their system resulted in Coach Didier Deschamps making a few tweaks to their strategies, and it would be these changes that would help France lift the trophy a month and a half later. Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez were brought into the team, and they both were outstanding at the World Cup. Blaise Matuidi was moved further up the field to give some more high pressing on the backline of the opposition. Neither of these things that Deschamps altered were thought of as all that major, but both were essential in their road to glory, with Matuidi in particular an unsung hero for the French. The 1-1 draw with the USMNT certainly helped galvanize Les Bleus, and drive them to the World Cup title. 

The importance of this kind of result is evident given that Germany had a similar run of matches in the lead up to the World Cup. They would notch win after win, but without looking convincing in any, with one of their final matches a narrow, and arguably undeserved, 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Germans however, did not alter their methods any, and paid the ultimate price, crashing out in the group stage. Coach Deschamps deserves credit for France’s advancement through the group, through each knockout game, to the final, and ultimately, to the trophy. 

Vive la France!!

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