Didier Deschamps admitted to having some regrets after holders France lost to Argentina on penalties in a pulsating World Cup final.
The coach felt France struggled to match Argentina’s level in the first 70 minutes but said: ‘We managed to come back from the dead and we made a magnificent comeback from a very difficult situation.
‘We have some regrets about that first part of the match and then in extra-time we could have won it in the last minute. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in and then it went to penalties.
‘I really must congratulate Argentina because they showed great quality, great aggression, experience and some very cunning football out there.’
France suffered with illness in the build-up and Deschamps added: ‘We perhaps lacked a little bit of energy.’
Kylian Mbappe looked dejected as he picked up the Golden Boot for his eight goals in Qatar but Deschamps said: ‘Kylian has really left his mark on this final. He didn’t leave it in the way he would have liked. That’s why he was so disappointed like all of the players.’
The 23-year-old was the first man to score a World Cup final hat-trick since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 and the England hero tweeted: ‘Many congratulations to Mbappe, whatever happens. I’ve had a great run!’
Meanwhile, former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta was close to tears after watching Lionel Messi lead his country to glory.
‘I’m so emotional,’ Zabaleta, a team-mate of Messi when Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 final, said in his role as a pundit for the BBC yesterday.
‘Thank you to everybody for that great game. What a perfect story for Messi. He deserves it 100 per cent.
‘I’ve been part of that team when Messi came for the first time to play for the national team.
‘He came to represent his country with the passion and the respect. He has always shown that for his country. Everyone is just crying and giving him a big hug.
‘For our country, we will see a picture of Diego Maradona and Messi, two of the greatest players of all time, with the World Cup trophy. That is so incredible.’
Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 8
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 7
Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Olivier Giroud (France) – 4
MORE : Gary Lineker slams FIFA for making Lionel Messi wear ‘little robe’ during World Cup trophy presentation
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
