France Archives - Wontumi Online

25 Jul

Paris 2024: France Beat United States In Olympics Opener

Wontumi1SportsFrance, Olympics Opener, Paris 2024, United States

France beat the United States 3-0 thanks to a second-half barrage as the teams began group play in the men’s Olympic tournament in Marseille on Wednesday. After a scoreless first half, the floodgates opened when Alexandre Lacazette, one of France’s senior players in the squad, lashed a shot past U.S. keeper Patrick Schulte to make it 1-0. Michael Olise, who just made a high-profile move from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, doubled the lead soon after and Loïc Badé smashed home a header before full-time to give Thierry Henry’s host side the opening win and top spot in Group A. Before finding its stride, France had to battle…

01 Jul

Euro 2024: Exit For ‘Underwhelming’ France Could Be ‘Brutal’

Wontumi1SportsDeschamps, France

France were expected to set Euro 2024 alight as one of the favourites, but they endured an underwhelming group stage and slumped to a second-placed finish. They beat Austria in their opening game, but only with an own-goal winner. A 0-0 draw with the Netherlands followed before they shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate with Poland. Didier Deschamps’ side lifted the 2018 World Cup and finished runners-up at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, but they have failed to sparkle as expected in Germany. “Suddenly the ruthlessness we’ve been used to is just not there any more,” French football journalist Julian Laurens told BBC Radio 5…

19 Jun

France ‘Uncertain’ If Mbappe Can Face Netherlands

Wontumi1SportsFrance, Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe “remains uncertain” to play in France’s meeting with the Netherlands after breaking his nose in their opening win at Euro 2024. The 25-year-old striker was forced off during Monday’s 1-0 victory over Austria after his face struck opponent Kevin Danso’s shoulder in the follow-through from an aerial challenge. Mbappe was taken to Dusseldorf hospital, where the break was confirmed, before returning to the national team’s camp. The French Football Federation (FFF) said a new update on their captain will be provided on Wednesday. Mbappe, who played his part in France’s winner against Austria as his cross was headed…

09 Aug

WWC: France Ends Morocco Dream To Cruise Into Quarter-Finals

Wontumi1SportsFrance, Morocco, womens world cup

Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice as France cruised into the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, thrashing Morocco to end the African side’s dream run. Goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put France 3-0 ahead at half-time in Adelaide, with Le Sommer adding her second after 70 minutes. France will now face Australia in the last eight in Brisbane on Saturday. Morocco had been hoping to become the first African side to win a knockout match at the Women’s World Cup. Clinical France maximise attack in ruthless win Herve Renard’s France stand 67 places above Morocco in Fifa’s world…

02 Feb

France’s Varane Retires From International Football

Wontumi2SportsFrance, Raphael Varane

France and Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football. The 29-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2018, scored five goals in 93 appearances for his country after making his debut in 2013. The last of his caps was won in the 2022 World Cup final, in which France were beaten by Argentina on penalties. "Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life," said Varane. "Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty to give it all, play my…

10 Jan

Hugo Lloris Announces Retirement From International Football

Wontumi2SportsFrance, Hugo Lloris

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has confirmed his retirement from international duty. The 36-year-old captained Les Bleus at the World Cup in Qatar, playing every minute of the knockout stages and becoming the team's record appearance-maker en route to falling to Argentina in the final. Now, with 145 caps to his name, Lloris has chosen to walk away from his national team. "It's not easy to announce, but after 14 years defending the shirt which I wore with great pleasure, pride, duty and a sense of responsibility, I believe I have reached the end," Lloris told L'Equipe. "I have decided to…

20 Dec

Didier Deschamps Tipped To Continue As France Manager

Wontumi2SportsDidier Deschamps, France

Didier Deschamps is keen to stay on as France manager following Les Bleus' World Cup final defeat, reports have claimed. The current boss has long been tipped to leave after the conclusion of Qatar's global showpiece, with Zinedine Zidane widely touted as a likely successor as he awaits a new job following his departure from Real Madrid at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. After the final defeat to Argentina, Deschamps refused to be drawn on his future, insisting he wouldn't have had an answer even if France had won the tournament. However, L'Equipe state that Deschamps, whose contract is…

15 Dec

Didier Deschamps Responds To Rumours Karim Benzema Could Return For World Cup Final

Wontumi2SportsDidier Deschamps, France, Karim Benzema, World Cup

France coach Didier Deschamps has given a somewhat cryptic response after being asked about rumours of Karim Benzema returning for the World Cup final. Benzema was set to lead the line for his country in Qatar but disaster struck when the striker picked up a thigh injury the day before the tournament began. With it expected to rule him out for three weeks, the decision was taken to send him back to Spain so he could receive treatment at his club, Real Madrid. However, a replacement was never called up, meaning he technically remained a member of France's World Cup…

14 Dec

Key France Duo Doubtful For World Cup Semi-Final Through Illness

Wontumi2SportsAdrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano, Didier Deschamps, France, Morocco, World Cup

France manager Didier Deschamps is sweating over the fitness of Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Morocco. Les Bleus are looking to become just the third country in men's World Cup history to lift the trophy in back-to-back tournaments, and are into the last four after seeing off Gareth Southgate's England 2-1 in a tense quarter-final. Kylian Mbappe has been the standout player for France at this year's tournament, topping the scoring charts with five goals, but there's been a number of standout performers in Deschamps' squad. Among those to have impressed are Rabiot,…

08 Dec

Raheem Sterling To Return To England Squad Ahead Of France Clash

Wontumi2SportsEngland, France, Raheem Sterling, World Cup

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling is expected to reunite with his England teammates on Friday ahead of the Three Lions facing holders France in the World Cup quarter-finals the next day. Sterling was given a leave of absence to travel home last weekend after his house in Surrey was broken into and was not present as England beat Senegal in their first knockout tie. Sterling’s fiancée, Paige Milian, was not home at the time but returned to the property to discover that a burglary had taken place and jewellery worth a reported £300,000 stolen. Sterling was thought to have been understandably…