'You let us dream': French see glory slip away after World Cup defeat

PARIS - Dismayed French football fans stared blankly at television screens in bars and lounges around the country, after

Argentina won a third World Cup in Sunday’s drama-filled final.

In the packed Belushi sports bar in Paris, some shook their heads in disbelief that it was all Argentina for the first 80 minutes before a Kylian Mbappe-led comeback left the French thinking they might steal an unlikely win.

“It’s so disappointing. We came back and believed we could do it,” said supporter Romain Cyne, as a small group of Argentinians nearby celebrated their victory on penalties after a 3-3 draw following extra time.

The French had seen little reason to cheer, their team struggling to get a shot on goal at 2-0 down, before Mbappe in the 80th minute stroked home a penalty and then a minute later found the back of the net again to draw 2-2 in normal time.

Shouts of “Allez Les Bleus” (Go on the Blues) rang out in the Belushi and beer was hurled into the air after the 23-year-old Mbappe had forced the game into extra time.

The game again looked to be Argentina’s after Lionel Messi bundled the ball over the line in the 108th minute, before another Mbappe penalty in the 118th minute gave the French another reprieve and sent the finale to spot kicks.

This time, Argentina made no mistake.

“To lose on penalties is horrible,” said high school student Ousman Diaw.

“Messi deserves it, though. He’s a good player and he had done everything except this.”

“We woke up too late. We showed a real strength of character but, when you get to penalties, it’s 50-50,” said a disappointed Jordan Tambutte as he downed the last of his beer.

Despite the loss, there were also French fans who enjoyed the night and acknowledged it had been a match for the ages.

“To come back from a two-goal deficit is incredible,” said Romain Balthazar, a 22-year-old engineering student who made the trip to Paris with friends. “We came to experience this on the Champs – it’s fabulous.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who watched the match from the stands, later consoled Mbappe on the pitch.

He told reporters that he “was very sad and disappointed” for France but said Les Bleus would still be feted on the Champs-Elysees on Monday.

“Les Bleus made us dream,” tweeted the president, who was also present for the medal ceremony.

More than 14,000 policemen were deployed across France, with nearly 3,000 in Paris alone, to keep any celebrations from getting out of control.

Small groups of youths hurled projectiles at officers in Lyon and Bordeaux, local authorities and French media reported.

REUTERS, AFP