The French World Cup squad has been welcomed home by thousands of football fans following their dramatic defeat against Argentina.
Teammates including Kylian Mbappe – who scored a thrilling hat-trick in Sunday’s World Cup final – arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday evening, where staff applauded them as they departed from the plane.
A coach then took the squad to the heart of the capital, where thousands defied drab and chilly December conditions to greet them.
Fans gathered at the Place de la Concorde square let off fireworks, waved French tricolore flags and chanted “Allez Les Bleus” and the French national anthem, cheering with delight as the team appeared on the balcony of the prestigious Hotel de Crillon.
Coach Didier Deschamps and team captain, Hugo Lloris, waved to crowds, later joined by their teammates including Mbappe – who drew a huge roar from fans.
But the squad could not disguise their heartbreak over their loss, with Mbappe and Olivier Giroud seen struggling to smile as they touched down at the airport.
France’s hopes of a second World Cup win were dashed in the nail-biting final which saw them beaten 4-2 on penalties by Argentina, who claimed their third title.
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Captain Lionel Messi scored twice in the 3-3 draw, as Mbappe brought the holders back from 2-0 and 3-2 down.
Waiting with open arms, the people of Argentina are eager to celebrate their team coming home to Buenos Aires with that all important golden trophy.
The team will arrive at 2am in Buenos Aires and spend the night at a sports venue close by.
Tomorrow at around midday Messi’s team will parade in a bus around central Buenos Aires up to the Obelisk – a historical spot for celebrating champions.
During the match yesterday thousands of people crowded into parks and plazas with big screens. Fans sang, jumped and cried all the way to the victorious end.
As soon as the match finished the celebrations spilled out into the streets of Buenos Aires and the streets were flooded with people dancing, drumming, trumpeting and chanting football songs.
The Obelisk was surrounded for kilometres, people mounted traffic lights, buses and lorries and the festivities will certainly look similar tomorrow.
