cruel defeat for the Blues who stop at the gates of the Futsal World Cup final

Cruel defeat for the France team this Thursday. Raphaël Reynaud’s players did not hesitate, dominating throughout the Argentina match. But the Albiceleste, vice-world champion in 2021 and crowned in 2016, used their experience, their grit and their realism in front of the goals to win on the wire, on a free kick without a wall ten meters away, from Kevin Arrieta three minutes from time. She will meet Brazil in the final this Sunday.

The French team, which scored two goals – through Nicolas Menendez (6th) and Mamadou Touré (25th) – will face Ukraine, also this Sunday, in the match for third place. As a reminder, this is the first time that the Blues have qualified for a World Cup. We can already say that their competition is more than successful!

Bendali takes his chance next to the cages, after a great collective movement. Unfortunately, he did not find the net in Argentina!

The French team is going all out in these last two minutes!

The Blues are playing without a goalkeeper!

Arrieta transforms the free kick without a wall and gives Argentina the advantage!

Guirio committed the sixth French foul, synonymous with a free kick without a wall for the Albiceleste!

The Argentinian is logically warned for a tackle with both feet off the ground. This is Argentina’s fifth foul, exactly like France.

The Argentine players and staff are very nervous. They get angry, throw words at the French and the referees. For the moment, the Blues remain calm!

Well found in transition, Belhaj hits hard on the left side. Sarmiento intervenes perfectly to save Argentina!

The Frenchman takes his chance with a direct free kick. It’s powerful…but above it!

With only a few minutes left in this second act, both teams are putting in a lot of defensive effort. The opportunities are becoming more and more rare.

After a start to the second half largely dominated by the Blues, the Argentinians got their heads back together. They now manage to worry Lokoka!

The Frenchman made a big mistake on Claudino. He is logically warned.

Menendez pivots and strikes hard with his left foot. The Argentinian goalkeeper pushes the ball away. Touré follows well and just has to push the leather into the back of the net!

The French team has settled in the Argentinian camp and has a series of great situations. All that’s missing is the finishing!

Another great strike from the Blues. But, once again, it is not framed. They will have to be more realistic to get back in the game!

At the end of a beautiful combination, Guirio is served in space on a magnificent ladle. The Frenchman, who finds himself in front of the Argentinian goalkeeper, strikes wide again!

On the left side, Guirio accelerates and strikes hard with his left foot. It’s powerful but not on target!

Argentina kicks off this second half.

The match will resume shortly.

After a solid first half, the France team trailed (1-2). The Albiceleste first shook the net with a penalty, through Arrieta (3rd). Menendez equalized almost immediately (6th). But the Argentines regained the advantage shortly after thanks to Claudino (8th).

France called a timeout 41 seconds into the half.

On a corner on the right side, Mohammed is found alone in front of the cages. His attempt hit the crossbar before hitting the ground…But the ball did not fully enter the back of the cages. A decision confirmed after viewing the video. What a shame for the Blues!

Will the Blues manage to equalize before the break?

After a very high recovery, Mohammed, alone in the penalty area, is served a little behind. The Frenchman, unbalanced, unfortunately cannot find the target. What an opportunity for the Blues!

To counter the Argentine pressure, Reynaud’s players no longer hesitate to play long. For the moment, it’s not happening but we feel that there is something to be done!

The Argentine coach called a timeout. The opportunity for both teams to make tactical adjustments.

The Albiceleste players fight for every ball and are very aggressive in duels. For now, it’s “clean” and effective.

The French team is struggling to find itself in the final third of the field. It must be said that the Argentinians offer a very compact unit inside.

The Frenchman tries his luck from afar in force. But it’s not framed. It was still a good try!

Borruto hits the left side and finds Claudino at the far post who just has to push the ball into the back of the net! The Blues were surprised at the time.

On the right side, Menendez returns to his left foot and strikes hard. His attempt, slightly deviated, deceives the Argentinian goalkeeper. France equalizes!

The French team is being patient but is having difficulty, for the moment, planning against Argentina’s aggressive defense!

After a nice combination, Mohammed takes his chance with his left foot. Unfortunately it’s not framed!

Arrieta transforms the penalty by hitting it on the left side of Lokoka!

On an outside hook, Brandi was hit by Lokoka, the French goalkeeper. The referee did not hesitate and pointed to the penalty spot!

Guirio eliminates his direct opponent with a double contact on the left side and hits the goal. It is repelled by the Argentinian goalkeeper. The ball comes back to Mohammed who hits it hard from distance. It’s above!

Both teams put a lot of impact into the duels in these first minutes of play. We feel that they both want to impose themselves physically.

The Blues kick off this semi-final!

And we start with the Argentinian anthem.

N. Sarmiento (g), S. Corso, P. Taborda (cap.), A. Claudino, A. Brandi

The protocol ceremony begins.

The French team has so far had a remarkable, almost faultless performance. The Blues finished second in Group F, easily beating Guatemala (3-6) and Venezuela (7-3). However, they lost – with a controversy to boot – against Iran (1-4). In the round of 16, they easily defeated Thailand (2-5) before taking out, with a little more difficulty, Paraguay (2-1) in the quarter-finals. Argentina, this Thursday afternoon, represents their biggest obstacle of this World Cup.

If France wins this Thursday afternoon, it will meet Brazil in the final this Sunday. In the event of defeat, the Blues will face Ukraine in the match for third place.

World champion in 2016, world vice-champion in 2021, the Albiceleste is (largely) favored by the predictions. And all the more so since she won against the Blues (3-5) last August, in Orléans, in a preparation match.

Before the 2024 edition organized in Uzbekistan, the French team had never qualified for a Futsal World Cup. So, reaching the final four of the competition is already a great accomplishment for Raphaël Reynaud and his men. This Thursday afternoon, they have the opportunity to make even more history in the discipline by reaching their very first international final. Will they succeed?

The match will start in half an hour, at the Humo Arena in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Welcome to Le Figaro to follow the semi-final of the 2024 Futsal World Cup between France and Argentina.