France’s record-breaking team to play in World Cup semifinals
The French also reached the final of the 2016 European Championship, finishing runners-up, so Didier Deschamps' men have the semifinal experience they need to go into Wednesday's match at Al Bayt confident.
KATHMANDU: France advances tothe World Cup semifinals against Morocco as the favorite to repeat their final appearance from 2018, when they also won the title.
The French also reached the final of the 2016 European Championship, finishing runners-up, so Didier Deschamps’ men have the semifinal experience they need to go into Wednesday’s match at Al Bayt confident. Not only do the French have a great record in semifinals, but four players have set records this World Cup to highlight the challenge they pose to opponents.
The first is AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud, who scored twice against Australia to equal Thierry Henry’s French record of 51 goals. He then broke the record with the first goal against Poland and extended it to 53 with the game-winning goal against England last Saturday.
Kylian Mbappe has also broken a record at this World Cup, with the two wonderful goals he netted against Poland taking him to nine goals in World Cups. That makes him the first 24-year-old to reach that total, passing the great Pele’s seven goals by that age.
Emphasizing the threat the French attack poses in this World Cup, Antoine Griezmann’s two assists against England take his total to 28 for the French national team – beating Henry’s record of 27, although the fact Mbappe already has 18 assists hints that one day that record will be his.
Antoine Griezmann’s two assists against England bring his total for the French national team to 28 – breaking Henry’s record of 27, though Mbappe already has 18 assists, implying that record will be his one day.
Finally, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was one of France’s heroes against England, making a string of fine saves while also outwitting Harry Kane in England’s second penalty.
Lloris did so in his 143rd appearance for France, breaking Lilian Thuram’s record of 143 caps.
Not bad for the keeper, who is viewed as a weak link by some, and another record breaker for a team aiming to be the first to win consecutive World Cups.
