Kylian Mbappé, Kingsley Coman Racial Abuse Condemned by FFF After World Cup Loss
Dec 20, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Kylian Mbappe of France speaks with team mate Kingsley Coman of France after his misses a penalty during the shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The French soccer federation said Tuesday that some of its players faced "unacceptable racist and hateful comments on social networks" following Sunday's penalty shootout loss to Argentina in the World Cup final, per the Associated Press.
"The French soccer federation condemns with the utmost firmness these intolerable behaviors and abuses," it said in a statement.
PSG's Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman were among the French players who faced racial abuse, per Isabelle Rome, the country's minister in charge of gender equality.
SOS Racisme, a French human rights group, said the players faced "a torrent of racist slurs, with hundreds of users on the social network posting comments likening them to apes, slaves, or even urging them to go back to the jungle."
Bayern Munich publicly sent Coman a message of support:
FC Bayern strongly condemn the racist comments made towards Kingsley Coman.
The FC Bayern family is behind you, King. Racism has no place in sport or our society. pic.twitter.com/9Mvhrt0Zc9
Both Mbappé and Coman played in the final against Argentina. The former notched a hat trick and made his attempt in the penalty shootout, while Coman had his attempt saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Racial abuse continues to be a major concern in world football. Following the Euro 2020 final, four people were arrested for racially abusing England's Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka on social media platforms.
We’re disgusted that some of our squad – who have given everything for the shirt this summer – have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game.
I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.
It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.
It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021
"For some of them to be abused is unforgivable," English manager Gareth Southgate told reporters at the time. "Some of it has come from abroad, we have been told this, but some of it is from this country. ... We have been a beacon of light to bring people together and the national team stands for everybody. We felt the energy and positivity from the fans and I'm incredibly proud of that."
Per the AP, the French federation said it plans to file criminal complaints against individuals who directed abuse at the players.
Karim Benzema Retires from International Play After France's Loss in World Cup
Dec 19, 2022
France's forward Karim Benzema looks on during a training session at the Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 17, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid and France star Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football after France's defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final.
Karim Benzema announces that he's retiring from international football on his 35th birthday.
"I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I'm proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending," Benzema said, via Colin Millar of the Mirror.
The 35-year-old made the France squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup, but he suffered a thigh injury in training and was ruled out for the tournament. Though he was not replaced on the roster, he did not stay with the team and chose not to attend Sunday's final.
According to French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Tom Blow of the Mirror), Benzema "cut off" communication with the team and head coach Didier Deschamps after they wouldn't let him stay following the injury.
Deschamps dodged questions on Benzema's availability after France's first two group-stage games.
"I have 24 players here and I'm thinking about them," he told reporters. "I will let you speak, debate, and imagine, but I'm not going to comment on things that don't concern our daily business."
Asked about Benzema again following victory in the semifinals over Morocco, Deschamps said, "I don't really want to answer that question."
Benzema was not part of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad amid a blackmail scandal with former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, for which he received a one-year suspended prison sentence. He was also left off the 2010 World Cup roster despite competing with the team during qualifying.
He earned 97 caps across 15 years with the national team yet only appeared in one World Cup, helping the 2014 squad reach the quarterfinal with three goals and two assists in five matches.
The striker has been one of the world's best players at the club level, helping Real Madrid win five Champions League titles. He earned the 2022 Ballon d'Or after winning Champions League and La Liga titles with Los Blancos, scoring 44 goals in all competitions.
Fans Heartbroken for Kylian Mbappé After France's World Cup Loss to Messi, Argentina
Dec 18, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Kylian Mbappe of France looks dejected after a penalty shoot out loss during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Do any of us even fully understand what we just saw?
In what may be remembered as the greatest soccer match ever played—given the stakes, maybe the greatest sporting event ever contested, period—Argentina won the World Cup, beating France 4-2 on penalties after the match finished tied at three apiece in extra time.
There was something fitting about the hat trick from the most ascendant young star in the game, Kylian Mbappé, only being bested by the greatest player to ever step foot on a football pitch, Lionel Messi, and the brace he provided.
Incredible finish. Messi finally wins the World Cup. Mbappe scores a hat trick and still loses. Best World Cup final of all time. One of the greatest games I've ever seen. I love football so much.
The enduring memory of the contest will be Messi and Argentina's triumph. But football Twitter was nonetheless stunned by the brilliance of Mbappé, even in defeat, with many heartbroken on behalf of the French superstar:
Appreciation tweet for Kylian Mbappe! He scored a World Cup final hat-trick and yet ended up on the losing side. What a player and he's only 23 years old ❤️ #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/VOTzSfqW7V
A final for the ages - and , on the day, the right winners. Argentina dominated that game for so long. Travesty had they lost it. Fancy getting a hat trick in the final and losing. Feel for Mbappe on that score. But Messi has given game so much he deserves this crowning moment.
France showed the heart of a champion to battle back and make this a final for the ages. And yes, Kylian Mbappe is that dude. He's 23 and very nearly willed France to another World Cup.
We haven't seen the last of Mbappe on this stage. Not by a long shot.
Astonishing. Mbappé and Messi went head to head for two hours and neither of them blinked. Neither of them could have offered anymore, neither can be questioned after this.
Not often you see the best two players in the world on the same pitch in opposition rising to the occasion like that. One to remember forever. Mbappé took our breath away. Messi stole our hearts. ❤️⚽️
Can’t help but think Mbappe basically scored four times today and still gotta hold an L. Sports are so beautifully cruel sometimes. Reason why you can’t call athletes losers for not winning it all. He QUITE LITERALLY couldn’t have played any better.
Neither team deserved to lose. At various points, it seemed both sides were in full control.
Most of regulation belonged to Argentina, as the country took a 2-0 first-half lead and seemed in complete control of the proceedings. France didn't get off so much as a shot until the 71st minute.
But then there was Mbappé. In a brilliant, breathless 97 seconds, he turned the match on its head with the sort of heroics that only a superstar can muster.
And yet again Messi—doing everything in his power to earn his country its first World Cup title since Diego Maradona's heroics in 1986—conjured up the magical moment, slotting home a goal after a fortuitous rebound.
"Anything you can do, I can do better," came the reply from Mbappé just 10 minutes later, as he scored from the spot for a second time to pull France even one last time.
And so extra time drained away and both teams prepared for the cruelest form of finality in sports, the penalty shootout. Messi and Mbappé stepped up first and, to the surprise of no one, both scored.
The superstars had done their part. Now, their fates rested on the composure—or lack thereof—of their respective countrymen. Messi's teammates met the moment, and World Cup glory was finally his.
But nobody will forget the performance of a 23-year-old Mbappé in his second World Cup final. Only the greatest player to ever live could keep him and France from repeating as champions.
World Cup Final Results 2022: Top Highlights, Stats and Man of the Match
Dec 18, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi can finally be called a world champion.
Messi scored twice in one of the most epic soccer games anyone has ever watched as Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final over France on penalties.
The climactic match in Qatar finished 3-3 after extra time, with La Albiceleste claiming the shootout by a 4-2 margin.
Argentina held a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 80th minute courtesy of a Messi penalty and a sublime team goal finished by Ángel Di María in the first half. However, Kylian Mbappé converted from the spot and finished a sumptuous volley in a span of two minutes to send the game to extra time.
Messi was once again on hand to put Argentina in front in the 108th minute, but Mbappé kept his cool from the penalty spot once more to send the final to a shootout.
Messi knocked home the first penalty, then Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez made a save in the second round from Kingsley Coman's effort. France's Aurélien Tchouaméni sent his spot-kick wide in the third round, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to seal the title in the fourth.
Argentina appeared to have full control of the contest thanks to a pair of first-half goals from Messi and Di María.
Messi became the first man to score in all four knockout round games of a single World Cup with his penalty in the 23rd minute after Di María was brought down by Ousmane Dembélé.
France did not attempt a single shot until the 71st minute, and La Albiceleste appeared to be cruising. However, the game flipped on its head when they conceded a penalty in the 80th minute.
Mbappé coolly converted, and the final burst into life once more at the Lusail Stadium.
One minute later, Mbappé levelled the contest at two goals apiece with a stunning volley, eventually sending the final to another 30 minutes of game time.
Messi and Argentina thought they had the World Cup locked up again in the 108th minute, when the 35-year-old finished off a chaotic sequence in front of Hugo Lloris in the French net.
Mbappé's hat trick pushed him ahead of Messi into first place in the Golden Boot race with seven goals.
That was a small consolation for the French superstar after losing in his second World Cup final.
Argentina's stars were faultless with their spot-kicks, while France was left to rue Coman's saved effort and Tchouaméni's miss, handing a third world title to Argentina and preventing Les Bleus from defending their 2018 tournament victory in Russia.
While a penalty shootout is always a cruel way to lose, Argentina was good value for the win on the balance of play. France finished with just five shots on target to La Albiceleste's 10 and failed to do anything in the final third in the first 70 minutes. Emiliano Martínez made just two saves for Argentina, albeit one was crucial in the 123rd minute when left one-on-one with Randal Kolo Muani.
Messi was, perhaps inevitably, Man of the Match for his pair of goal contributions.
He has now won a major tournament title in each of the last two years with Argentina, securing his first Copa America in 2021 and now adding a World Cup title to his illustrious resume.
World Cup 2022 Closing Ceremony Start Time, Live Stream and Latest Rumors
Dec 18, 2022
Julian Alvarez C of Argentina celebrates scoring team's second goal with Lionel Messi during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Photo by Xu Zijian/Xinhua via Getty Images)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final is here, with Lionel Messi-led Argentina and Kylian Mbappé-led France set to meet at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday to see who will be crowned champion.
The World Cup final is set to kick off at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, but first, fans will be treated to a World Cup closing ceremony, which is expected to begin around 8:30 a.m. ET. Both the game and the closing ceremony can be watched on Fox and streamed on Fox Sports.
As is customary with the World Cup closing ceremony, organizers have kept details of the event under wraps. However, we do have some details about the artists who will be performing.
Afrobeat musician Davido will headline the event, FIFA confirmed. He will perform "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)," which is one of the songs featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack. Trinidad Cardona and Aisha are also featured on the track, and Aisha will perform alongside Davido at Lusail Stadium.
Award-winning Puerto Rican artist Ozuna and Congolese-French rapper Gims are also expected to perform their song "Arhbo," which is featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack. It was a Billboard top-10 hit.
In addition, Indian actress, singer and dancer Nora Fatehi is expected to perform alongside Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal. They will be performing her song "Light The Sky," which is also featured on the 2022 World Cup soundtrack.
With a diverse set of artists set to perform, the closing ceremony should be one to remember, followed by an even more memorable clash between two of the world's best teams.
Argentina and France make up one of the buzzwortthy finals at the FIFA World Cup. Argentina is in search of its third World Cup crown and first in the era of...
World Cup 2022: Early Guide for Argentina vs. France Final
Dec 14, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina is seen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Semi-Final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has a dream final.
Kylian Mbappé and France will try to defend their World Cup crown from 2018.
Argentina will try to earn the one thing missing on Lionel Messi's illustrious resume.
Sunday's final has everything you could ask for from star power to strong defenses to a recent history between the two sides.
France defeated Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup in a game that featured Mbappé, Messi and plenty of others who will be on the field Sunday inside the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar.
Match Preview
Argentina and France have been two of the best sides in Qatar and are deserving of playing in the final.
Argentina cruised past Croatia in the semifinal round thanks to an early attacking onslaught led by Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.
La Albiceleste have an extra day of rest compared to France and they played in a less stressful semifinal. Croatia did not produce much in the final third against the Argentinian defense.
The Argentina back line has been solid for most of the tournament. The South American side produced two clean sheets to recover from a humiliating loss to Saudi Arabia at the start of Group C.
Argentina defended well for long stretches of the knockout round. Its concession against Australia was an own goal and it held the Netherlands without many significant chances for 80 minutes. Croatia did not manage much in the final third on Tuesday.
Messi is the game-breaker in the Argentina attack, and he will be expected to shine again on Sunday, but the Argentinian defense could be the ultimate difference-maker.
France's back line has looked shaky for parts of the tournament. France was lucky not to concede in Wednesday's semifinal win over Morocco.
Before that clean sheet, France had not shut out an opponent in Qatar.
France has gotten away with the defensive mistakes because Mbappé, Olivier Giroud and Co. have scored multiple goals in every game the first team has started.
The concern for France comes in the form of the Argentina defense. Mbappé and Giroud could be limited by Nicolás Otamendi and Co.
Mbappé was not as dominant in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds as he was in his first three starts in Qatar.
Argentina can overload one side and commit an extra defender to Mbappé to take the 23-year-old out of the contest.
France still has other stars, like Antoine Griezmann, that can break apart Argentina, but losing some of Mbappé's chance creation could hurt Les Bleus. Griezmann is the only player with over 20 chances created in Qatar.
The attacking depth is as even as it could be. Each team has an in-form true striker in Giroud and Álvarez to support its superstar. The play of Messi, Mbappé, Giroud and Álvarez will determine the Golden Boot winner. Messi and Mbappé lead with five goals each, while Álvarez and Giroud have four goals.
If that even matchup translates to the field on Sunday, the defensive play will be the difference-maker, and that is where Argentina holds the edge for its performance over six games.
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