South Africa 2010 was the worst World Cup in the history of France and the truth is that everything pointed to it the weeks before the tournament. A final phase which they reached not thanks to Gallas' goal, but thanks to Henry's hand, in the play-off against Ireland. Maybe in football there is karma. In addition, two months before the controversy would erupt when Ribéry, Govou and Benzema were accused of hiring a prostitute, Zahia, when she was still a minor. They would end up being acquitted of the case years later.
It really was a somewhat strange selection. Abidal, lateral with Barcelona, acted as central. There was talk of a touch of egos (something that was not lacking in that squad) of Ribéry with Henry, taking into account the new position of the latter in Barcelona, listed on the left. It squeaked a little to see Govou with 10 and Benzema, who, despite his discreet debut season at the Bernabéu, tripled the Lyon player in goals at home. In addition, in the first World Cup match against Uruguay (0-0) Malouda had been left out of eleven by disagreements with Domenech.
Precisely they turned to him as a lifeline against Mexico. “Malouda to the rescue” could be read on the cover of L'Equipe. The change was for Gourcuff, a name that would be the protagonist of the central debate of the French World Cup later. “A cold that breaks your bones”, exaggerated the narrator of the Aztec TV, who had warned that this time is what they play with in Europe. But the French did not look comfortable wearing a coat, gloves, hats, and blankets on the bench or on the grass.
The game was an absolute disaster for the French, who were hardly scared with what Ribéry could do, who acted as playmaker to always be close to the play. Before the break, Anelka made a shot attempt after a very poor diagonal, but that was not what made him stay on the bench in the second half. Those fifteen minutes were not exactly rest and have their own story that would explode a day later. You could guess when Domenech took the field and his players stayed in the locker room.
L'Equipe cover two days after losing to Mexico.
DAILY AS
Chicharito scored offside and Barrera forced a penalty more than doubtful. Even though they were eliminated due to serious arbitration errors (sound Henry to you?), Mexico was far superior. “I am very disappointed that France did not make a single shot on goal and that is the last thing we could hope for,” said Zizou, what his name means in France.
“Regrettable” titled Le Parisien. France Soir He said “The bleus have stained his shirt “. But no one was as hard and forceful as L'Equipe, which accuses players, coach and leaders of the federation of impostors“
“The probable French elimination, however, will have more to do with internal problems, with the lack of scheme, cohesion, soul, future. A team that until recently was a favorite in everything (finalist in Germany 2006) and than Now he only arouses misgivings because of part of that caricature of a technician named Raymond Domenech. Domenech knew he was leaving and has died, has killed the bleus, with the same sins that almost left them without a World Cup. (…) What happened in France became a football again fast-food, without touch in the center of the field, pending some genius of Ribéry or the redeemed Malouda “reported José A. Espina, chronicler of ACE that day. France was exploding.