who are the winners and losers of this 2022 World Cup?

The 2022 World Cup is over and the France team has failed to imitate Brazil, which remains to this day the last nation to have won two consecutive World Cups. However, the players of Didier Deschamps have reason to be proud of their career. Between a cascade of injuries (Pogba, Kanté, Kimpembe, Nkunku, Maignan, Hernandez, Benzema) and a devastating virus a few hours before a final, the overall results of this tournament remain very positive. Some tricolors even emerge from this competition with the honors of the jury. Starting with Olivier Giroud.

Income in extremis in the France group thanks to his services with AC Milan, the Rossonero took advantage of Karim Benzema’s package to find a starting place. Accused in 2018 of having been silent during the triumphant campaign in Russia, the native of Chambéry this time responded. Author of 4 goals in 6 matches, Giroud scored decisive achievements (especially against England) and above all became the top scorer in the history of the Blues (53 achievements). The future of the selection may be written without him, but Giroud has fulfilled his mission. Still in attack, Antoine Griezmann missed his final, but he was, with Kylian Mbappé, the most impressive Blue.

Mbappé, Griezmann and Giroud responded

Repositioned in the midfield following the withdrawals of N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the Mâconnais shone with a thousand lights. Omnipresent on the field, he adapted to his new position at an incredible speed and finished co-best passer of the tournament (3 offerings). Some even wonder if his future goes through this new position, both in selection and in the club. Simply stunning. Bluffing, Kylian Mbappé was too. Expected at the turn, the Bondynois demonstrated that he was the detonator of a French team often dependent on his flashes of genius. Top scorer in the competition ahead of Lionel Messi (8 goals, 2 assists), the PSG player would have liked to lift his second World Cup, but he concluded his tournament by becoming the second player in history to score a hat-trick in final of a World Cup, 56 years after the Englishman Geoff Hurst. At only 23, he is only four lengths behind boss Miroslav Klose (16).

Finally, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram will have played their role perfectly. The first was one of the only “hairdressers” not to have lost a point during France-Tunisia (0-1) and he was able to score the goal of the break in the semi-final against Morocco (2-0) , less than a minute after coming into play. In the final, his coming into play in the 40th minute revived a moribund tricolor attack. He could even have offered the World Cup after extra time in extra time. As for the second, he was able to be impactful each time he replaced Olivier Giroud. In the semi-finals, he played an important role by strengthening the French left side.

Always in the radius of effective substitutes, Ibrahima Konaté will also have scored points. Propelled to the semi-finals, the Liverpool player showed great solidity. Substitute at the start of the competition, Théo Hernandez had to replace his brother Lucas from the first match of the competition. And while Deschamps had favored a four-man defense without attacking side, the AC Milan player brought a breath of fresh air. Author of two assists and scorer in the semi-finals, Hernandez recalled that an attacking side offers more solutions. Already highlighted during the transition to 3-5-2 a year ago, Hernandez clearly claims a starting status, even if he missed the final.

Pavard big risk

Adrien Rabiot can also have a smile. Annoyed at not having been called up in 2018, the Juventus player refused to be on the reserve list. Which had earned him a falling out with his coach. Last year, the sad end of the Blues at the Euro and the altercation between his mother and the Mbappé clan had also damaged his image. But this time, Rabiot finally won without contest. Positioned on the left in the middle with three tricolors, the Bianconero was essential. Hard-hitting, technical, it was essential. His absence against Morocco due to the famous virus was also very much felt. Finally, no one had seen the blow coming. Very average, even bad each time he put on the blue jersey, Dayot Upamecano transformed during this World Cup. Did he feel he had a playing card with Presnel Kimpembe’s package? In any case, he was very solid alongside Raphaël Varane. Sufficient to challenge the place of holder of the Parisian.

Finally, there were not only winners in this story. And many could play big if Didier Deschamps remains in place. This is the case of Benjamin Pavard. His legendary goal scored in the round of 16 against Argentina in 2018 had allowed him to settle permanently with the Blues. But since then, his performances on the right flank, his disputes with certain partners at the Euro or in the 2021 Nations League, his repeated outings to claim a placement in the axis and his catastrophic match against Australia have condemned him. . Going from holder to third man in the hierarchy of the right-back position, behind Jules Koundé and Axel Disasi, Pavard must undoubtedly pray that DD packs his bags. Finally, he did not play a single minute of this World Cup because he left injured, but Karim Benzema was able to generate some discomfort even by not being there. The conditions of his departure, his enigmatic posts on social networks and a Deschamps not comfortable when discussing his case at a press conference… There too big questions arise about his case if the current coach is maintained.