France 0-2 Mexico
Well as quickly as they arrived, it looks as if the French will be packing their bags and jetting out of South Africa after a dismal World Cup finals campaign that will leave the Irish livid as surely Geovanni Trappatoni's men would have, at the very least, shown some heart and pride.
With rumours that there were high profile players arguing with manager Raymond Domenech meant no explanations were needed as the French never looked united throughout their seemingly rather short tournament. Their problems began as early as qualification as they needed a helping hand from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to overcome a spirited Irish side in the play-offs. What was more confusing was the announcement that Bourdeaux manager Laurent Blanc will take over as National team coach.The appointment itself was not surprising, however the timing was most peculiar. After all how is announcing the appointment of a new manager going to allow the current coach, Domenech, to maintain the respect of the players. Evidently it didn't.
However it was on the eve of their first World Cup finals game, against Diego Forlan's Uruguay, when rumours of dressing room discontent first surfaced. According to reports Chelsea winger Florent Malouda had to be physically restrained after a heated argument with Domenech, which explained why Malouda found himself on the bench in that opening game. It was clear during that game that the French lacked any self belief or confidence, which surely is down to the manager to instil.
Domenech who is France's longest serving manager, having been at the Nation's helm for 6 years, is widely disliked in France which is perhaps due to his baffling team selections which included the omission of Arsenal's Samir Nasri which is apparently due to the fact the Arsenal midfielder is a scorpio, a star sign which the 58 year old manager does not trust, which would suggest that Domenech is even poorer than our very own "Wolly with a Brolly"
During their first game Les Blues didn't show up. They looked void of ideas, and creative players like Frank Ribery who has shone for Bayern Munich, looked utterly clueless and lost with no sense of direction of urgency. If it weren't for the negative tactics of the Uruguayans, the French may well have been beaten in their very first game. Whilst many sides have turned up in South Africa with the intention of not losing, the French turned up with no intentions what-so-ever. They were lazy and lacked any energy which even so called lesser nations like New Zealand have exemplified.
However it was against the Mexicans, a side who were swept aside by England last month and only just managed to salvage a draw against hosts South Africa in the opening game, where the French looked the poorest. The Mexicans looked comfortable all night as even early in the game, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was forced to come darting off his line after a lack of communication between William Gallas and Eric Abidal. At half time it was expected that the French would come out and attack, but it was the Mexicans who took the initiative by playing attractive attacking football and taking the game to the French.
They kept the ball so easily and left the French chasing well organised shadows. Javier Aguirre used the perfect tactics to defeat the French. They allowed Domenech's side to keep possession in harmless areas and then when gaining the ball, they broke with pace and in numbers. The first Mexican goal was a perfect example of the French's lack of harmony and communication as Abidal played new Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez onside, who cooley rounded Lloris and passed into an empty net. In reality there was a sense of inevitability about the goal and the French players didn't look to surprised as they watched Hernandez and the rest of the Mexican's jubilant celebrations. The second goal was just as poor from a France point of view, as the substitute Barrera swept passed a number of players, including a lackadaisical Patrice Evra, and won a penalty after a cumbersome challenge from Abidal. 37 year old Veteran Blanco, who showed more energy throughout his 15 minute cameo than the entire French side portrayed, swept the penalty into the back of the net, which virtually assured the French's exit.
Even the French substitutes looked uninterested as they moved away from the dug-out leaving Domenech isolated, which in reality is a position that Domenech has grown used to over the last couple of years.
If the French are to miraculously qualify, they will need to overcome a South Africa side who will undoubtedly arrive with great desire as they will want to win their last game for the thousands of fans who have embraced the World Cup. Even if Les Blues overcome Bafana Bafana they will have to hope that Uruguay and Mexico do not play out a draw as that would guarantee the French's exit, and I think many of us can envisage a dull 0-0 draw between Uruguay and Mexico, but realistically the French have no-one else to blame but themselves.
There will be nobody happier tonight, apart from the Mexicans, than the whole of Ireland who thoroughly believe there side would have brought more to the World Cup, and after the French's lazy, arrogant and simply disinterested displays who can argue with them.
Paul Seed
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