So close: Didier Dechamps almost won the World Cup for a third time
(Picture: Getty Images)France coach Didier Deschamps revealed the sickness bug which swept through his squad ahead of the World Cup final may have had a "physical and psychological impact" on his players during the dramatic defeat to Argentina on penalties.
Deschamps’ side twice came back from the brink thanks to an historic hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe but were ultimately dethroned with a 4-2 loss on spot-kicks in the Lusail Iconic Stadium following a breathless 3-3 draw.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot and was involved in the magnificent move for Angel Di Maria to double Argentina’s lead in the 36th minute.
With La Albiceleste heading for a third title, Mbappe scored twice in 97 seconds in the 80th and 81st minutes, the equaliser a stunning volley, to take the game to extra-time. Messi scored again but his Paris Saint-Germain teammate and heir apparent as the world’s best player completed his hat-trick with his second penalty of the night.
A number of French players, including starters Raphael Varane, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano, have suffered from illness in the past week, and Deschamps said it may have impacted his side.
"The whole squad has been facing a tricky situation for a while now, maybe that had a physical and psychological impact," Deschamps said when asked about the illness in the camp.
"But I had no concerns about the players who started the match tonight. They were 100 percent fit but we only had four days since the last match so perhaps there is some tiredness. That’s not an excuse but we didn’t show the same energy as previous matches and for the first hour we weren’t in the match.
"In those first 70 minutes or so, we were playing a very aggressive and dynamic opponent and we weren’t at the same level for a number of reasons.
"We managed to come back from the dead and made a magnificent comeback from a very difficult situation.
"We have some regrets about the first part of the match. We went into extra-time where we could have won it in the last minute.
"We were 2-0 down and we could have lost 3-0 and it would have been a very different feeling.
"I must congratulate Argentina, they showed great quality, aggression and experience. They played some very cunning football out there.
"I went through a lot of different emotions tonight. There are some regrets because we were so close to winning but it wasn’t to be.
"There were a number of reasons why, we had a very strong opponent and we were lacking a bit of energy from some key players.
"We had some young more inexperienced players who came on and brought some freshness and quality. They got us back in the match to keep the dream alive."
Deschamps described replacing Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele -- who fouled Di Maria for Argentina’s penalty -- for inexperienced pair Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram five minutes before half-time as "tactical decisions" because his side were lacking physicality.
"I wanted to make a change because I saw we were lacking freshness and energy," he added. "I’m not blaming Giroud and Dembele because they made a great effort. There was a change in positions as well, bringing Kylian in from the wing.
"We weren’t in great shape tonight, physically speaking we lacked a little extra when we were playing a strong team. You need to go back to the drawing board and try to change something when they’re not going right for you."
Deschamps is now out of contract but he refused to be drawn on his future as Les Bleus coach, saying he would hold talks with the president of the France Football Federation in the New Year.
"Even if we’d won, I wouldn’t reply to that question tonight," he said, when pressed on his future.
"I’m sad for my players and staff, I’ll have a meeting with the president at the beginning of next year and then you’ll find out."
