A hat-trick in the final, the hope of an unimaginable comeback, of a third star on the jersey and then gone. Left bitter after this defeat against Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022, the Blues had to turn their backs and resume the competition as if nothing had happened. A year has now passed, and the results are more than positive for this new-look French team after the international retirement of several of its executives (Lloris, Varane, Mandanda, Benzema).
A great panel of players
31. This is the number of players used by Didier Deschamps in 2023. Ten of them come directly from Ligue 1 and five players made their first selection this year (Samba, Malo Gusto, Lukeba, Todibo). Among these neo-internationals, we obviously find the sensation Warren Zaire-Emery, who became the youngest to play for the Blues since 1914 during the 14-0 victory of the French team against Gibraltar.
Invincibility
0. Like the number of defeats of the Blues in official matches this year. Didier Deschamps’ men remain on 7 wins in the last 8 matches. A record that is impressive when we know that Mike Maignan and Brice Samba only lost three times in qualifying for Euro 2024.
An avalanche of goals
34. This is the total number of goals scored by the French team in 2023, all in just ten matches. A more than effective performance for the Blues who are concluding their second best year in terms of achievement since the 2018 World Cup, without international competition.
Domination
60. Or the average possession percentage of the Blues this year. Dominant, the French team appears to be one of the favorite nations for Euro 2024.
A historic record
14. Like the number of goals scored against Gibraltar on November 18. By winning the biggest victory in its history (previous record 10-0 against Azerbaijan in 1995), France became the first European team in history to score 14 goals in a qualifying match for a major competition.
