Deschamps' pragmatism, unstoppable Mbappe and brilliant Griezmann: how France won the 2018 World Cup

Two decades after their first triumph at their home World Cup in 1998, the French national team won their second World Cup title in Russia. The victory was ensured by already familiar elements: the famous "ten", a reactive young striker, a forward who did not score, and a reliable defense. And, of course, Didier Deschamps. Coach Deschamps became only the third man in history to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. Didier was once a hugely underrated holding midfielder in that 1998 team, regularly and unfavorably compared to his France and Juventus team-mate Zinedine Zidane. However, Deschamps had the aura of a coach even during his playing career. No sooner had he stepped onto the coaching ladder than he quickly guided Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004, won Serie B with Juventus in 2007 following their relegation due to the Calciopoli corruption scandal, and then won Ligue 1 gold with Marseille in 2010. But Deschamps was always destined to lead his country's national team. He took over after France's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign (second in the group and then a quarter-final exit with three goals in four matches) and remains in the job 14 years later, although he will retire after this year's World Cup at the age of 57. Similar to his World Cup-winning predecessor, Germany's Joachim Loew in 2014, it's fair to say that one major tournament win in six attempts is no mean feat given the players Deschamps has had at his disposal. He came close to success on two other occasions: France reached the final at home at Euro 2016, where they lost to Portugal in extra time, before losing the 2022 World Cup final to Argentina on penalties. Deschamps' reign was often disappointing; it always seemed like there was latent attacking potential in his squad just waiting to be unleashed, with France consistently looking sluggish in the group stages. But few know how to go the tournament distance like Deschamps. He has never faced the problems that have often plagued France - most obviously at the 2010 World Cup - due to discord off the football field. Tactics Deschamps started the tournament in Russia with a 4-3-3 formation that featured a very interesting and mobile attacking trio of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, operating unpredictably up front. But such things always look better on paper than they work on the field. At the end of a poor performance in their group opener against Australia, Deschamps dropped Olivier Giroud and France pulled off a hard-fought 2-1 win. This system remained unchanged until the end of the tournament, with Giroud operating as a fixed centre-forward, with the others playing alongside him. Giroud has never been a world-class striker and has not scored a single goal in his six starting appearances at this tournament. Despite this, it is worth admitting that he is currently the top goalscorer in the history of the French national team, although Mbappe is only one goal behind his 57 goals. Giroud's job was to fight the opponent's central defenders, cling to the ball and weave his partners into the game. In that component he was excellent, although his own execution in the tournament was often abysmal, reminiscent of Stephane Guivarc in that victorious France team of 1998. Griezmann played the role of "ten". Mbappe usually played on the right, operating more as a striker than a classic winger. So to provide balance, Deschamps used Blaise Matuidi - a free-to-free midfielder - on the opposite flank, who moved into the center to assist Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante. Pogba's lack of positional discipline has hampered his performances for Manchester United this term, but throughout this tournament he has clearly understood his role, playing in a defensive duo alongside the energetic but responsible Kante. The back four of Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Hernandez was the most reliable of the tournament and they all contributed in attack as well. Pawar scored an unforgettable and stunning long-range volley against Argentina in the round of 16, Varane and Umtiti headed the first goals in the 2-0 victories over Uruguay and Belgium (1-0) in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, while Hernandez added two assists. The decisive moment Mbappe scored twice in that stunning 4-3 win over Argentina in the second