Deschamps Did Not Say the French Players Stayed Calm Because They Were Not Facing Lionel Messi
The Claim
Didier Deschamps: “There is no Messi in front of us to be nervous or lose focus, from the first minute I was calm.”
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Recently, social media users have been circulating a statement attributed to Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national football team. He allegedly said, 'There is no Messi in front of us to be nervous or lose focus, from the first minute I was calm,' in response to his team's match against Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be fake. Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national football team, did not make the alleged statement after France's victory over Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship.
Deschamps Asserts France’s Deserved Spot in the Euro 2024 Semi-Finals
On July 5, Didier Deschamps expressed satisfaction with France's qualification for the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a penalty shootout victory over Portugal.
"Yes, I was there, but like tonight, I didn't take the penalties," Deschamps told a journalist, noting France's last penalty shootout win was in the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals.
Reflecting on the match against Portugal, Deschamps said, "It was a tough game, and Portugal is a strong team, as we knew. Both teams had chances to win in regular time, but this is how it played out. Extra time was challenging with our players fatigued and Portugal controlling more, but we prevailed through calmness."
Deschamps praised the penalty takers, saying, "Those who took them did well. Scoring all your penalties means the opponent misses theirs, which is good. Though different from a World Cup final, where last time our team faced penalties, we must acknowledge our semi-final place."
Deschamps did not mention Lionel Messi, the Argentine player who led his team to victory over France in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final. His remarks compare the significance of the 2022 World Cup win and reaching the Euro 2024 semi-finals, highlighting pressure on players during shootouts.
Didier Deschamps Praises Spain’s Team Performance
Didier Deschamps praised the level of the Spanish national team, which France will face in the semi-finals of the 2024 UEFA European Championship hosted by Germany.
Deschamps stated that France will face the best team they have encountered so far in the UEFA Euro matches, referring to the Spanish team, which has won all five of its Euro matches up to the semi-finals, scoring ten goals.
France advanced to the semi-finals after three draws and two wins, scoring three goals, two by opponents' defenders, and one solitary goal by their star player Kylian Mbappe from a penalty kick.
Spain and France Meet in the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Finals
The UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between the French national team and the Spanish counterparts is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m. GMT at Allianz Arena in Munich.
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