The French national football team has returned from Qatar to large crowds in Paris, after their heroic defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final, Reelradio.com.nggathered.
Kylian Mbappé, the French star who scored a hat-trick in what was one of greatest finals in the tournament’s history, was front and centre.
The players and officials greet fans who let off fireworks on the Place de la Concorde in Paris upon returning home after the World Cup final in Qatar, on December 19, 2022.
French fans were heartbroken on Sunday as Les Bleus lost the World Cup title to Argentina 4-2 in penalties, after a 3-3 draw.
One of the most thrilling finals in the tournament’s 92-year history finished 3-3 through extra time, with Messi scoring twice and Kylian Mbappé completing a hat trick.
In contrast with 2018 when France won the World Cup in Russia, the team did not receive a parade on the Champs-Elysees.
But to supporters, the location of the reception hardly mattered as they treated Les Bleus to a warm welcome home in the winter evening cold. They lit flares, waved flags and sang “La Marseillaise” as the players and coach Didier Deschamps emerged on the balcony of the Hotel de Crillon.
In his first message published on Instagram and Twitter following Sunday’s defeat, Mbappe posted a photo of himself, head down, behind the World Cup trophy with the message: “We will be back.”
More than 24 million people — eight out of 10 viewers — watched the final on French TF1 television, a record high.
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