The defeat conceded by France in the final of the 2022 World Cup has not stopped haunting the Blues and their supporters. Consequence of the dramatic outcome of the match against Argentina, only lost on penalties. Although the Albiceleste led 2-0 from the first period and had control of the match for almost 80 minutes, two minutes were enough for the Blues to get back into the match and even come close to victory in the final moments of extra time.
Lionel Messi had nevertheless given Argentina the advantage at the start of the second extra time, but Kylian Mbappé had managed to snatch another equalizer a few minutes earlier. The fate of the match seemed to be decided on penalties when Randal Kolo Muani appeared alone against Emiliano Martinez. Not quite alone since Kylian Mbappé was to his left, ready to receive the offering from his partner.
The Blues from dream to nightmare
Alas, the former Nantes player launched a half-volley at the edge of the area and finally saw his shot pushed back by the leg of the Argentine goalkeeper. A legendary stop, the images of which FIFA broadcast on its X account on Sunday, also including previously unseen images from the French sidelines. The opportunity to see the immense emotional lift taken by the French camp. “When Martinez stops the shooting and the celebrations! »wrote FIFA in a message to accompany this video.
We see the French substitutes bursting from the bench and even beginning to enter the pitch to celebrate what they already imagine to be the victory goal for the French substitutes before having to turn back, disgusted by Emiliano Martinez's parade. “What a stop!” What a save,” the English commentator may well say.
