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KAZAN, Russia – It was one of the most spectacular goals of this World Cup, and this made Benjamin Pavard's half-volley against Argentina's best. all the more remarkable is that so few have seen it coming.
More than a year ago, Pavard, 22, played in the German second division with Stuttgart. Called for the first time in France's national team in November, he was not supposed to make the last 23-man roster of Manager Didier Deschamps for the World Cup in Russia. He certainly should not replace Djibril Sidibé as vice-champion, but there was Pavard at the heart of the game on Saturday, marking his mark – and highlighting the World Cup. [19659004Pavardabattul'Argentina2-1semi-timemarkinghighlyfirstbutforFranceandthefirstbottomofthecapturewithfoot
"I scored two goals from the lead, but, I mean, I never score goals," he said after the victory France's 4-3 earned him a spot in the quarter-finals against Uruguay on Friday. "But the ball came, and I did not ask myself a lot of questions, and it worked."
France-Argentina was a white ride, full of quick strikes, sudden changes in fortune, and of course , of goals. But if the French overtake Uruguay on Friday and continue their last race deep in a World Cup, Pavard's goal will be bigger and bigger.
Argentina rebalanced its lead by taking the lead in the 57th minute. Pavard was covering Gabriel Mercado when Mercado redirected Lionel Messi's shot past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to take it to 1-0
but Pavard made up for a memorable nine minutes later, combining with the other 22-year-old newcomer in back four: Lucas Hernández
Hernández's Argentine defense center bounced twice through the left wing. Pavard, leaning far to his left, met the ball in the air with the outside of his right foot.
"I took it as it came," he said. "I told myself that I had to hit him, and that was the most natural movement, and I also told myself that I had to keep the ball low and that I had to move on."
The parents of Pavard, Nathalie and Fréderic, were in Jeumont, in the north of France, on the Belgian border.Jeumont, with a little less than 10 000 inhabitants, is also the place where Jean-Pierre Papin, former striker of France
Pavard's father was defender of US Maubeuge in the French Third Division coaching amateur teams in the region.He now works in a local hospital. single child, grew up learning from his father and observing his teams, absorbing nuances and developing his own ambitions
Pavard left the house when he was 10 years old to train in the youth program with the French club of Lille, he rode with a series of Pavard became emotional Sunday when he saw a video made for him by his parents on the French TV show Telefoot
"We are very proud of you, and we are living a moment magical thanks to you, "his mother told me. "Good luck for the rest of the way, we'll send you kisses and we'll see you soon."
Pavard got torn while listening.
"They are my parents," he said. "They have made huge sacrifices since I was very young.You can not forget that I left when I was 10. I was away from my family." they have traveled so many miles for me, I can never thank them enough for all the efforts they have made. "
His success with Les Bleus is also a reward for them, he says.
Pavard would probably not play a role as important if not for a right knee injured Sidibé, born on April 15 while the Paris Saint-Germain routed the Sidibé team of AS Monaco , 7-1.
Sidibé had doubts about the World Cup and, after being badured the knee still swelled in Russia. Sidibé started the third group match against Denmark after France had already clinched a place in the knockout round. Pavard started the other three matches of France
"I did not ask for explanations to the coach," Sidibé said at a press conference in Russia. "In this context, you must put aside your personal feelings."
Pavard, who has particularly curly hair, was nicknamed "Jeff Tuche" by his French teammates after the curly-haired father of the French comedy series. "The Tuches" Pavard confessed to being tired of the nickname, but he continued to play, just as he continued to play when his teammates tell him, with his French roots and musical tastes, that it belongs to But his The game in Russia is beginning to attract the attention of some European elite clubs, including Bayern Munich.
he had to leave France altogether. After playing little for Lille during the 2015-16 season, he decided to accept the Stuttgart offer, even though the once powerful club had just been relegated to second place in Germany.
Some in the French football world told him that he was making a mistake. Pavard said that the risk and the need to adapt to another culture have helped to ripen.
Stuttgart won the Bundesliga promotion in its first season. He has held several positions, including midfielder, but after the arrival of new coach Tayfun Korkut in late January, Pavard started playing exclusively as a central defender. Stuttgart finished seventh in the league.
But Deschamps used it at the back, which is a historical parallel with Lilian Thuram, Deschamps's teammate, when France won its only World Cup in 1998. Thuram prefers the position back to the center that he played with his Italian club, Parma, but the coach of France at the time, Aimé Jacquet, used it at the back. Thuram scored twice in France's semifinal victory against Croatia that year.
As Pavard was right to point out, it is pointless to make too many comparisons too quickly. Thuram was one of the best defenders of France. Pavard is just beginning
Yet few people will soon forget his goal against Argentina. Pavard joked that he had "killed a pigeon" with a similar attempt in practice that had torn his foot, but this time he had left the pigeons in peace.
Not the Argentines, however.
Wore out of reach of Franco Armani, the Argentine diving goalkeeper, and in the left net. Javier Mascherano, the veteran Argentine defender, said the EQ had really hurt his team.
Bixente Lizarazu, the former French defender of the TF1 team, said that Pavard's goal "counted twice". in terms of impact.
As Pavard so rarely notes, he said that he did not know how to celebrate. He improvises well: he slips wide-eyed to the French bench on his knees. He stopped just in time to be engulfed by his teammates and French support staff.
This was a start. France has not yet lost a match when it was selected: not at the youth level and not in its nine games with the senior team. "I will try to forget that I heard that," he said. 19659035]
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