France Archives - Wontumi Online

25 Jul

Paris 2024: France Beat United States In Olympics Opener

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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’

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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

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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

wontumionlineSportsFrance, 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…

22 Mar

Kylian Mbappe Replaces Hugo Lloris As France National Team Captain

wontumionlineSportsFrance, Kylian Mbappe

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been named as the new captain of the France national team. He succeeds Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who retired from international football in January. Mbappe, 24, has 66 caps for France since making his senior debut in 2017. “Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility,” France manager Didier Deschamps told French TV channel TF1 in an interview to be aired on Sunday. “On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element.” The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Deschamps had named Mbappe as captain and Atletico Madrid…

01 Mar

Just Fontaine: Former France Striker And World Cup Record Holder Dies Aged 89

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Just Fontaine, who holds the record for the most goals scored at a single World Cup, has died at the age of 89. Fontaine scored 13 goals in just six matches for France at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as they finished third. He is joint-fourth on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi. “A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player,” said his former club Stade de Reims. Another of his former clubs, Paris St-Germain, said: “A thought for Just Fontaine. An icon of French football who has left us.” Only…

02 Feb

France Defender Varane Retires From International Football

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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 heart out…

15 Dec

Boy Run Over And Killed After France World Cup Win

wontumionlineSports2022 World Cup, France, Morocco

A 14-year-old boy has been run over and killed in the southern French city of Montpellier shortly after France’s World Cup semi-final victory over Morocco. Authorities said he was struck by a car after the match and then died in hospital. Images on social media showed a car draped in a French tricolour surrounded by people who then grabbed the flag. The driver then appeared to panic, accelerating into two teenagers. As he turned his car around and sped off, the 14-year-old was hit and went into cardiac arrest. “Immense sadness that a sporting event should end in total tragedy,”…

15 Dec

France Edge Past Morocco To Set Up Argentina Final

wontumionlineSportsArgentina, France, World cup

France was pushed all the way by World Cup wild cards Morocco before the holders sealed a place in Sunday's final against Argentina. The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth-minute goal. France, for all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, were more clinical and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned…

12 Dec

World Cup 2022: England Players Head Home After France Quarter-final Defeat

wontumionlineSportsFrance, Qatar 2022 World Cup, Three Lions of England

Captain Harry Kane said England would use their defeat by France to be “mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge” as they headed home from the World Cup in Qatar. England were beaten 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Kane missing an 84th-minute penalty, having earlier equalled England’s scoring record of 53 goals. Gareth Southgate’s side left their hotel in Al Wakrah before their flight home. “Absolutely gutted,” said Kane. Writing on social media, the Tottenham forward added: “We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for. There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some…