France return from Qatar after final heartbreak, as Deschamps prepares for talks
France have been pictured on their way home from Qatar the morning after losing the World Cup final.
Les Bleus were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday evening despite Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick, with the match finishing 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time.
And the French made their exit from their hotel early on Monday, with manager Didier Deschamps looking stony-faced as the team’s coach headed to the airport.
Boss Deschamps is believed to be set for imminent talks over his future, with French Football Federation Noel Le Graet telling RMC Sport he wants to meet the 54-year-old ‘as soon as possible’ to discuss a contract extension.
But Le Graet added he needs time to ‘digest all of this’, with official negotations believed to be starting in early-to-mid-January.
It is uncertain whether the squad will meet fans on Monday night at Place de la Concorde in central Paris after flying back in the afternoon. They are due to land at about 6pm local time.
France’s Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera had earlier said the players would travel through the capital city but not down the Champs-Elysees avenue, as is the usual practice for World Cup winners.
However, Le Graet later denied this, saying they wanted to return home as soon as they land, and although they were grateful for the country’s support, were in no mood to celebrate after the manner of the defeat.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Angel Di Maria finished off a superb team move in normal time, before Messi added another in extra time to take the match to spot-kicks.
