Africans adopt a France team with a familiar feel

He might not have the flamboyant style but the team needs him in each and every match for his game in the air and how he defends.

Giroud, who will earn his 81st cap in Sunday’s game at the Luzhniki Stadium, said last weekend he was hoping for a goal but not at the expense of the game plan.

Despite a summer heatwave in England, fans have been urged to wear waistcoats in tribute to those sported by Southgate since the tournament began.

France won its only World Cup 20 years ago, thanks to a commanding goalkeeper – Fabien Barthez – protected by a rock-solid defense which also chipped in with goals.

De Bruyne and Hazard twice threatened at the start of the second half, before that moment Roberto Martinez warned about in his pre-game press conference happened: “You can’t lose concentration against France”. And I definitely don’t agree with the accusations of referee bias that we heard from Diego Maradona and Radamel Falcao after England’s win over Colombia.

He notes he’s been rooting (and betting) for Belgium throughout the tournament, hasn’t lost yet and adds he loves the fluidity and teamwork they’ve displayed.

Despite his inability to find the back of the net, one more win is all that counts for Giroud.

“In 1998 I was in France for the first three games as a supporter”.

Croatia needed extra time and penalties to overcome Denmark and Russian Federation before outlasting England in another marathon knockout-stage match.

“It is a success that we will remember for generations”.

“We can’t really look back and see what is in the rear-view mirror”.

“It’s weird because he’s French and will be on the opponent’s bench”, Deschamps said on Sunday on the French sports show Telefoot.

May says England coach “Gareth Southgate and the boys have done a fantastic job and I’m sure that they’re going to go on and do well”.

Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe produced a superb individual display as France booked their place in Sunday’s World Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Belgium.

“You can’t win a World Cup on just talent”.

Deschamps’ time with Monaco came to an end in 2005 and he was named Juventus manager in 2006 to rescue the team from a dark fate after the Italian giants were relegated to the second division after “Calciopoli” match fixing scandal.

Croatia needed extra time in each of their knockout matches, coming through 2-1 in their semi-final against England on Wednesday night.

“If I score, so much the better, but I am a player who thinks first of all about the team”.