Penalty saves France’s World Cup run in a scrappy match against Paraguay

After France lost the 2022 World Cup final, it would be understandable if the team were dealing with an emotional hangover even four years later.

After France lost the 2022 World Cup final, it would be understandable if the team were dealing with an emotional hangover even four years later.

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Looking to defend its 2018 World Cup title, France lost to Argentina in 2022 in one of the greatest matches ever played. Kylian Mbappé became only the second player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, but his heroic effort wasn’t enough as Argentina won in penalties.

Four years later, there’s not a hint of complacency or dejection in France. Instead, after a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16, France looks poised to become the first team to make three straight finals since Brazil from 1994 to 2002.