If the French team has preserved the essentials, namely its qualification for the last square in the League of Nations, its counter-performance in Croatia during the first leg of the quarterfinals is not without consequences for the Blues. Before overthrowing the situation at the Stade de France and winning his ticket for the Final Four on penalties (2-0, 5 tab at 4), the Blues had indeed bowed 2-0 to Split after having completely passed through.
And this defeat weighed heavily in the calculation of the new FIFA ranking published this Thursday. While with their two victories won in November to finish the year, including a prestige success in Italy, the Blues returned to Argentina's heels at the top of the ranking, France has indeed lost a place and only points out in third position.
While Argentina, by dominating Uruguay (1-0) and Brazil (4-1) comforted its first place, Spain took advantage of its two draws against the Netherlands and its qualification for the penalties to double France with a little less than two points ahead.
The place on the podium of threatened France?
The confrontation between the Blues and La Roja, in the semi-finals of the League of Nations, will therefore have a very special importance for the FIFA ranking and in the event of a defeat, third place in La Franc could be threatened by England, at the foot of the podium with still 33 points of unblocking.
While Brazil completes the top 5, then follow the Netherlands who seized the 6e Make way to the detriment of Portugal, then Belgium, Italy and Germany.
The FIFA ranking of April:
1- Argentina: 1886.16 points
2- Spain: 1854.64
3- France: 1852.71
4- England: 1819.2
5- Brazil: 1776.03
6- Netherlands: 1752.44
7- Portugal: 1750.08
8- Belgium: 1735.75
9- Italy: 1718.31
10- Germany: 1716.98
