Axel Allag, Media365, published on Monday September 30, 2024 at 4:09 p.m.
Facing Paraguay this Monday in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the France team continued its journey by qualifying for the semi-finals (2-1). She will challenge the winner of Kazakhstan – Argentina on Thursday.
A disputed and fairly closed quarter-final, but joy in the end. This Monday, in Bukhara, Raphaël Reynaud’s Blues aimed to continue their epic and reach the final four of the World Cup for their first participation in the global tournament. Facing a team that they had already met twice a year ago in Paraguay (for two defeats 3-1 and 5-3), the players of the national team started with an intensity which was matched by their opponents. Rough contacts, few opportunities, a ‘tactical’ encounter par excellence. “Paraguay is 13th in the FIFA rankings, we are 10th but I don’t think we are favorites. Paraguay is used to these competitions, has already reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup”, said captain Kévin Ramirez , who wanted to take a “little revenge” against the 13th nation in the FIFA rankings.
On a rare scoring opportunity, Guirio’s shot, following a relay with Mohammed, unfortunately hit the bar (13th). The success was not more present a few minutes later, when, after an individual rush, Mamadou Touré, who had eliminated the goalkeeper, was blocked by captain Javier Salas in front of the goal deserted by the Paraguay goalkeeper (14th) . Consistent on the defensive level, the France team was unable to score in the first act, despite an opportunity for Nelson Lutin (19th), and was not noted by a fairly present vice on the Paraguay side. After two minutes in the second half, following a superb three-way action between Mohammed, Mouhoudine and Guirio, the latter managed to find the net and at the same time freed the Blues (1-0, 23rd).
In the process, Paraguay’s reaction was immediate but with a superb save, Lokoka opposed Silas’s shot (24th) then above all prevented the ball from entering the goal in a tense action in front of Baez (27th) . By pushing hard, Paraguay managed to equalize via Martinez’s goal (1-1, 28th). At the end of the match, after perfect ball protection with his back to the game, Mohammed turned around before scoring his 83rd goal for the selection, synonymous with qualification for the semi-finals (2-1, 35th). By winning through pain, the French team marked its history and history on a larger scale because it became the second nation after Colombia in 2012 to qualify for the final four for its first participation in a Global. The meeting is set for Thursday (5 p.m.), against the winner of the Kazakhstan – Argentina quarter (which will be played this Monday at 5 p.m.).
