For the moment, there is no question of worrying about a tough final against Argentina on Sunday. French newspapers celebrate France’s qualification on Thursday and salute Morocco’s course.
It is a reference that says a lot about the age of publishers, titlers and editors and bosses of the French press. “A little closer to the star”headlines of many French newspapers this Thursday morning, from the Voice of the North at South West, the day after the French victory in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Musically, we can see a tribute to Gold’s hit released in 1984 – “A little closer to the stars” – but factually, the Blues could indeed hang a new star (the third) on their jerseys if they win Sunday against Argentina. Which is another story.
Before this shock duel, the daily newspapers compete in superlatives to talk about the France-Morocco match and the 2-0 qualification.The final flight» headlines the sports daily The teamillustrated by Théo Hernandez’s acrobatic recovery on the opener, barely five minutes after the start of the match in Doha.
“What happiness”rejoice at the concert the liberated Dauphiné et l’Union. «Always higher”greet the Latest news from Alsace, insisting on this fourth qualification of the French in 24 years. Blues at this level of the competition, “we never tire”, wrote Paris Normandie on its front page. “Facing a good team from Morocco, the Blues remained solid,” recount Le Figaro.
The Parisian chooses to title on this second consecutive final with a “We are still there!” and a photo of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé embracing after the meeting. “Pressed by volunteer Moroccans, the Blues snatched their place in the final”greets the daily. “They did it again”, is also enthusiastic Free lunch.
Few newspapers have chosen to project themselves from Thursday morning into the France-Argentina of Sunday. Except The Telegramwhich titles, a little boldly, “Messi here we come”.