CAUGHT BY AL JAZEERA.COM
Although France was favored by many going into Euro 2024, their semifinal loss put an abrupt end to their dreams of winning their first European championship since 2000.
Although France advanced to the semifinals of Euro 2024, many felt that the tournament had failed after they lost. France was one of the favorites to compete.
Coach Didier Deschamps will serve as head coach for two more years after his team achieves a contract goal by making it to the last four. However, few members of the French team will take home significant recognition from the German competition.
Their highly regarded forward group departed with their reputations damaged, and attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann’s future as an international player was called into question.
Even their defense, which had stood firm throughout the tournament, crumbled when needed the most as they allowed Spain to fight back for a 2-1 win in Tuesday’s semifinal in Munich.
France captain Kylian Mbappe was the biggest disappointment, contributing only a penalty and an assist, but with mitigating circumstances.
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A broken nose in France’s opener against Austria threatened a premature end to his participation, but after missing the next match,. He returned with a mask to protect his face.
He said it had inhibited him in subsequent games, so fans would have been hoping a liberated Mbappe would produce an inspired performance when he emerged on Tuesday to play without supporters. It started well enough with an inch-perfect elevated pass for Randal Kolo Muani’s goal but quickly deteriorated into a series of dependable cut-ins interspersed with off-target shots. goal but quickly deteriorated into a series of dependable cut-ins interspersed with off-target efforts.
“The competition didn’t work out. We’re not the European champions, which disappointed me,” he said to reporters.
It’s football. We must go on. All we have to do is go home.
