France team keeps its qualification hopes alive after its victory over Argentina

After a draw against Egypt, the Blues secured their first victory of the tournament, which will have to be followed by another against Hungary on Sunday to qualify for the quarter-finals.

There is no reason to see life through rose-tinted glasses yet. But the French team, dressed in an unusual outfit of this color, showed a much better face on Friday, August 2, against Argentina to win (28-21). They will have to win their last match against Hungary on Sunday to qualify for the quarter-finals. Thanks to a very good start to the match against the weakest team in the group, the Blues quickly took a large lead that allowed them to win despite an Argentinian comeback in the second half.

There were 14 pink soldiers, on a mission to secure a qualifying place. Driven by the same spirit that allowed them to snatch a draw against Egypt on Thursday, the Blues started the match with a bang, sticking a 7-0 to the Argentinians after ten minutes of play. Very diligent defensively, they were especially able to count on a Vincent Gérard in a state of grace, who deflected the first seven Argentinian shots.

Seeing his team out of the game, the Argentina coach tried to find a solution by calling two timeouts in the first eleven minutes of the game. But his men were unable to get within five goals of the French team, which led 15-8 at half-time, with 60% saves for Vincent Gérard.

The goalkeeper gave way to Rémi Desbonnet in the second half, who, like his teammates, had less success. In the offensive phase, the Blues went through an eight-minute lull without scoring, which allowed Argentina to come back to three goals behind (18-21 in the 49th). But Rémi Desbonnet then fully got into his game with two seven-meter throws stopped, which gave the Tricolores some breathing room, finally winning with a comfortable lead.

“When you start the match and the goalkeeper closes the cage, you start with a 7-0, it helps to build confidencerejoiced Aymeric Minne after the meeting. But they came back to three goals, all the problems are not solved, we will have to be more deadly because, against other opponents it risks not being forgiving.” His coach Guillaume Gille regretted a second half that was not “particularly successful”.

But the Blues are reassured and keep their destiny in their own hands for qualification. To do this, they will have to repeat the same match against Hungary on Sunday, with a victory or a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals. A meeting between two teams neck and neck for the ticket to Lille, which the Tricolores describe as “eighth finals”.