Theo Hernandez’s objective in opposition to Morocco on Wednesday set France on their approach to a second successive World Cup ultimate. Nevertheless it might have been very completely different if his brother had not been injured minutes into the event. Lucas Hernandez tore an anterior cruciate ligament in France’s opening 4-1 victory over Australia, ruling the Bayern Munich defender out for a number of months. The damage blow got here days after Les Bleus misplaced Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to a thigh downside, with France coach Didier Deschamps already disadvantaged of first-choice midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
Nevertheless it might have been a blessing in disguise of types for Deschamps, who ditched his experiment with a three-man defence and reverted to a 4-3-3 formation simply earlier than the World Cup in Qatar.
Whereas Lucas Hernandez began each sport in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning marketing campaign, Theo is a extra pure match at left-back than his brother, who’s a left-sided central defender by commerce.
Voted as a part of the Serie A crew of the season thrice in a row, Theo Hernandez helped AC Milan finish an 11-year look ahead to the Serie A title final season.
Enjoying behind Kylian Mbappe down France’s left, he provides the crew added efficiency in assault — contributing two assists within the group stage, however has at instances additionally been uncovered defensively.
Theo, 25, who as soon as thought-about enjoying for Spain, didn’t make his worldwide debut till September 2021 however he scored the successful objective in simply his second match.
He dropped out and in of the crew earlier than incomes a run within the aspect in Qatar due to his brother’s misfortune.
Let off the hook after Harry Kane blazed over a penalty he needlessly conceded within the earlier spherical in opposition to England, Hernandez scored in simply the fifth minute on Wednesday.
Fast reactions
Quickest to react to a looping deflection from Mbappe’s shot, he expertly completed previous Yassine Bounou to place France forward and silence the pro-Morocco crowd.
“I used to be on their own. I noticed Kylian needed to shoot, there was a rebound and I pounced on it to attain,” stated Hernandez.
Substitute Randal Kolo Muani doubled France’s lead within the 79th minute, giving them a welcome cushion.
Deschamps’ crew now have the prospect to develop into the primary aspect in 60 years to efficiently defend their World Cup title.
“I am proud to have gained the sport and it is a very proud second to have scored the objective,” stated Hernandez. “It is wonderful to play two World Cup finals in a row, we have achieved an ideal job.”
However his job is just going to get more durable, with Lionel Messi and Argentina mendacity in wait on Sunday.
“It is an enormous match. We will work arduous to win the ultimate,” stated Hernandez, who revealed his brother, watching from Munich, had known as to congratulate him after the sport.
“Crucial factor now could be to get well properly within the subsequent 4 days and be prepared for the ultimate. Argentina will not be simply Messi, they’ve a great deal of gamers, they’re an ideal crew.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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