World Cup 2022: disastrous statistics of the Blues in the first period

First half in hell. It is difficult to minimize the disastrous performance of Didier Deschamps’ men in the first 45 minutes of the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. They brought two goals to zero, the “blues” simply conceded everything, or even did not try their luck at all.

Olivier Giroud’s header in the first twenty minutes before Albiceleste’s first leg was not counted as the Milan striker was to blame for the opponent’s defender. Result: No shots for the Blues in the first period, the first in the history of a World Cup final and the first for France in a World Cup match… Ironically, Didier Deschamps made more substitutions (2) than his players. Target.

If the French didn’t try their luck, it’s because they were simply eaten in all areas by the players of Lionel Scaloni. With just 41% possession, the Blues suffered and made many technical inaccuracies, with just 164 successful passes in the first 45 minutes. No better without a good cross… The French team has never been truly dangerous in the Argentinean camp without touching the ball in the penalty area and with only 19 passes between the midfield and the opponent’s defense against 55 for Albiceleste.

The 2018 world champions also entered the Argentine game with many mistakes (10 to Albicelesta’s 12). Despite a series of set pieces in the opponent’s camp, the Blues did not earn a single corner. Thus, in terms of statistics from previous finals, for the first time in their history, France lost to the first player in a World Cup final after opening the scoring in 1998, 2006 and 2018.

Only one team managed to bounce back by two goals in the World Cup final. That was in 1954… Leading 2-0 after 8 minutes of play, West Germany equalized after 18 minutes and finally won with 6 minutes left in normal time.