Deschamps, Griezmann and Macron celebrate French qualification for final

by IANS |

Doha (Qatar), Dec 15 (IANS) France coach Didier Deschamps praised his players after a 2-0 win over Morocco in the second World Cup semifinal booked them a place in Sunday's final.

France will play Argentina, looking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.

"There's emotion, there's pride, there's going to be a final step," said Deschamps on French TV after the final whistle.

The coach admitted that it had been a difficult game against Morocco, who had over 60 percent of the ball, news agency Xinhua reported.

"We have been together with the players for a month and it's never easy, but there's happiness so far," he said.

Man-of-the-Match, Antoine Griezmann said he was "already thinking about Sunday's final" against Argentina,

"We will have to be focused, recover well and prepare for Sunday's match," he added, before praising Lionel Messi.

"When a team has Leo with them, it's completely different. We have seen almost all their (Argentina's) matches, we know how they play. They are a very difficult team and they are in a good place.

"They are a group that gets on well with each other like us and they will have their supporters with them," commented Griezmann.

The forward also had praise for Morocco. "They impressed me, they worked very well tactically, defensively and offensively. They gave us a lot of problems," he concluded.

French President Emmanuel Macron watched the match from the stands and celebrated France's win.

"Our compatriots need simple and pure joy, sport provides it and soccer in particular. We suffered a lot but we saw a great team. A huge thank you to our coach and to this team which is in fact a mixture of several generations and that is what is great," commented Macron.

Latest News
Rahul issue: PM burnt in effigy, massive protests across Wayanad for 2nd day Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:45 PM
India registers fresh 1,590 Covid cases, 6 deaths Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:42 PM
Motorsports: Celebratory weekend kicks off with WIAA 'Women's Rally to the Valley' 2023 Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:38 PM
Snap acquires Th3rd that creates digital 3D counterparts of people, products Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:35 PM
Will continue to address concerns of Punjabi community in Canada: Minister Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:29 PM
Rahul Gandhi says he isn't Savarkar, won't apologise Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:04 PM
Severe thunderstorm warning for Aus state ahead of Earth Hour event Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 02:00 PM
Threat calls to Nitin Gadkari: Maha cops inspect Karnataka prison Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 01:58 PM
Congress stages protest march in Guwahati over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 12:50 PM
Bengal government issues guidelines for civic volunteers in police duty Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 12:45 PM
PM arrives in Karnataka; inaugurates hospital, to dedicate Metro line in B'luru Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 12:36 PM
Yemen government warns of return to full-scale conflict as Houthis escalate attacks Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 12:13 PM
Is Pinarayi Vijayan playing games to appease Modi? asks Cong on Rahul issue Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 12:11 PM
Delhi court adjourns hearing on Sisodia's bail plea in ED case for April 5 Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 11:36 AM
Land-for-job case: ED summons Misa Bharti, asks her to appear today Sat, Mar 25, 2023, 11:22 AM