Tchouameni and Camavinga finished as runners-up in the Qatar World Cup with France. The French national side lost to Argentina at the Lusail Stadium, falling short of retaining the title they won in 2018. The final, which finished 3-3, was decided in a penalty shootout which went the way of the albiceleste (4-2). With many goals and too much emotion, the Final of Qatar 2022 was one of the best finals in the history of World Cup for what it offered to the fans!
Tchouameni was named in the starting eleven and played the full game, while Camavinga came off the bench on 71 minutes. Argentina went ahead with goals for Messi and Di María in the first half, but France forced extra-time with an Mbappé brace after the break. In the extra period, Messi and Mbappé both scored again, before Argentina won it on penalties. Unfortunately, Tchouameni was one of the players who missed the penalty kick. At the end, it was the ex Madridista Angel di Maria and the rest of Argentinians who had the greatest joy entering in history and putting the third star in their National Team’s kit.
Aurelien Tchouameni in detail
The Madridista Aurelien Tchouameni started in his regular midfielder anchor role for France, where he — along with the rest of the French side — struggled to get a foot-hold of the game. France’s press was the worst it’s been all tournament, and they had no answer to Argentina’s rabid counter-press. He struggled during the whole game and could not find his best. Camavinga was one of the men who came in to give some energy and played quite a good match as the team also improved, leading to a very balanced game after the 70th minute and until the very end.
Tchouameni was tasked with containing Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi in the deeper parts of the field, the youngster struggled to deliver. Argentina passed their way past the French midfield with ridiculous ease time and time again in the first half, and it is clear that Tchouameni was among the ones responsible.
He had 86 touches in 120 minutes and completed 54 passes with a poor completion rate of less than 75%. Further, he lost possession a whopping 22 times on the evening. His defensive numbers provide some support to his poor game, as he managed two clearances, two interceptions and a tackle. Further, he won five ground duels and one aerial duel while on the field.
Kylian Mbappe’s magic helped Les Bleus reach the penalty shootout at Lusail Stadium, but Tchouameni’s missed penalty stopped the party. Kingsley Coman’s miss from the spot put the defending champions under pressure early in the shootout, and the Real Madrid player’s lack of experience got brutally exposed. Stepping up to take the shot for his team, one could see the nervousness in Tchouameni’s body language. His shot did not even test Emiliano Martinez as it flashed well wide of the left post.
Eduardo Camavinga in detail
With his team down by two goals, Didier Deschamps called upon Eduardo Camavinga to light a spark in the middle of the field in the 71st minute. Playing perhaps the most important cameo in his career thus far, the young phenom proved exactly why the manager called him up to the squad.
He had not played a single minute in the knockout stages until that point, yet did what the great Antoine Griezmann could not – get France on the offensive. He spent just under 50 minutes on the field and it was no coincidence that France’s two goals came moments after his coming on.
Camavinga completed a whopping 91% of his attempted passes against the high press of Argentina whilst also providing two key passes. He had a successful dribble, three tackles and won seven duels, showing the world why he is so highly rated. As Carlo Ancelotti said earlier this season, the youngster’s true talents come out when he makes an appearance off the bench. There is still a lot for him to learn if he is to be a starter, however.
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