Deschamps speaking with beIN Sports after the defending champions lost to Argentina said they had to battle illness in the last 4 days
By Kehinde Okeowo
France head coach, Didier Deschamps, has said his team struggled for most of the World Cup finals against the winner, Argentina, because of a virus that ravaged Le Blues camp.
The former France captain made the assertion while speaking with beIN Sports after the defending champions lost the 2022 edition of the World Cup to Argentina on Sunday.
Deschamps’s men were dominated by a Lionel Messi-led Argentine side for most of the game and expectedly went 2-0 down after Messi converted from the penalty spot and Angel Di Maria doubled the South Americans’ advantage.
However, PSG striker, Kylian Mbappe netted a stunning brace and took the match to extra time.
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Messi and Mbappe scored again within the 30 minutes of the extra time to take the scintillating encounter to penalties.
Emiliano Martinez saved twice from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni to ensure Argentina won their third title after 36 years.
Speaking after the loss, Deschamps said, “We didn’t turn up for different reasons (in the first 60 minutes). We have had to face difficult things in the last 4 days. Illness and then things collectively too,”
