FRANCE BACK ON TRACK TO DEFEND WORLD CUP AFTER UEFA NATIONS CUP TRIUMPH

France confirmed their enviable achievement by winning every available competition in men’s football at the continental and global stage with French masterclass on Sunday in the 2021 UEFA Nations League, after an entertaining 2-1 triumph over Spain at the San Siro in Italy.

The reigning world champion en route to the victory had to rely on qtheir character gingered by a true test of individual brilliance to fall behind twice against possible contender for the 2022 World Cup and two of the strongest in the continent and eventually, coming back to beat them.

The French team having been rated as a disjointed team by some pundits after the UEFA European Championship, considering the outcome of the team’s performance, was obviously not given the space for the title. But extra courage from the players, especially Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe made the difference, especially in the final.

The Spaniards defense had caged the top French strikers, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann to a fierce battle of play in the midfield in the first half and better part of the second half. Also, thanks to the French goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris for keeping off the effort of the young Spaniard strikers from scoring with some fantastic saves.

Mike Oyarzabal’s display of intelligence had put La Roja ahead with 26 minutes to play but Real Madrid experience forward Karim Benzema’s response two minutes later saw the ball at the back of the net for an equalizer for the French team. Despite the equalizer the Spanish team remained disciplined in defense and showed some character in attack.

But the Ideal moment for the French was 10 minutes from time as Karim Mbappe individual brilliance with both feet set the Spanish goalkeeper to the wrong corner as Mbappe scored the winner with his left foot.

The outcome of the team’s performance at the Europa Nations League obviously sets semi-finalist Belgium, finalist Spain, reigning UEFA European Champion Italy and reigning World Cup Champion France as potential contenders for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And for France, it appears to have rejuvenated the disjointed squad at the Summer UEFA European Championship.

Now that the competition is over! The world for “sure”, will await the French team at next year’s World Cup and Didier Deschamps’ men will be happy to name themselves among the great that have won all men’s titles in world football for France. Namely World Cup, Euros, Olympic Games, Confederations Cup, Nations League, Under-20s World Cup, Under- 17s World Cup, Under-21s Euros, Under 19 Euros, Under 17 Euros.