France secured their place in the round of sixteen at the World Cup with a victory over Iraq after a match lasting nearly four hours, according to reports from the game. Manager Didier Deschamps acknowledged the hard-fought nature of the win, noting a difficult start for his team while speaking with M6.
Deschamps stated that the first half performance was good, but also admitted to his own high standards. He expressed a preference for maintaining a critical eye, particularly given the quality of players at his disposal. This victory marks Deschamps’ sixteenth World Cup win as France’s manager, equalling the record previously held by Germany’s Helmut Schön, as recorded by Opta.
Following a disruption during the match, Deschamps highlighted the team’s strong response and ability to secure their position. He expressed relief at the outcome, given the challenging circumstances. The manager also dismissed any concerns regarding Ousmane Dembélé, praising his confidence and a well-taken goal that contributed to France’s 2-0 lead.
Dembélé is still finding his footing in terms of positional familiarity compared to his club role, but Deschamps noted the player’s improved physical condition. This win solidifies France’s position in the tournament and provides a boost in momentum as they progress through the competition. The team will now look to build on this result as they face tougher challenges in the knockout stages.
