November 22, 2022 - World Cup Group D, Matchday 1France vs Australia - Al Wakrah
The World Cup began. France, defending champions, faced Australia in their opening match.
The Al Janoub Stadium held forty thousand fans. France supporters dominated—tricolor flags everywhere.
Australia, always tough opponents, came to frustrate. Compact defense. Physical play. No space.
France controlled possession but struggled to break through.
In the twenty-seventh minute, Ethan opened the scoring.
A brilliant team move. Pogba to Griezmann. Griezmann to Mbappé. Mbappé crossed low. Ethan tapped home from six yards.
1-0 France.
His first goal of the tournament. A good omen.
In the fifty-eighth minute, Mbappé doubled the lead. A solo run from halfway. Pure pace. Unstoppable.
2-0 France.
Australia pulled one back in the seventy-third minute. 2-1.
But France held on.
Final score: France 2-1 Australia.
Three points. Winning start.
November 26 - World Cup Group D, Matchday 2France vs Denmark - Doha
Denmark—Euro 2020 semi-finalists. Quality opposition.
The match at Stadium 974 was cagey. Both teams cautious. Tactical chess.
0-0 at halftime.
In the sixty-first minute, Ethan broke the deadlock.
Receiving Pogba's through ball, he controlled with one touch and finished with the second. Low. Hard. Far corner.
1-0 France.
In the seventy-ninth minute, Mbappé sealed it. A counter-attack. Pace. Power. Goal.
2-0 France.
Six points from two matches. Qualification virtually secured.
November 30 - World Cup Group D, Matchday 3Tunisia vs France - Education City
With qualification secured, Deschamps rotated heavily. Gave fringe players minutes.
Ethan started on the bench. France fielded a B-team.
Tunisia, needing a win, played with freedom. They pressed high. Created chances. Took advantage of France's weakened lineup.
In the fifty-eighth minute, Tunisia scored. 1-0.
Deschamps sent on his stars. Ethan. Mbappé. Griezmann.
But it wasn't enough. Tunisia defended heroically.
Final score: Tunisia 1-0 France.
A defeat, but France still topped the group with six points.
December 3 - Round of 16France vs Poland - Al Thumama
The knockout rounds began. Poland—Lewandowski's team—stood in France's way.
France were heavy favorites. But Poland had quality. Experience. Resilience.
The match started cautiously. Both teams afraid to make mistakes.
Then, in the forty-fourth minute, Ethan delivered.
A brilliant individual goal. Receiving the ball thirty meters out, he drove forward. Beat two Polish defenders with pace and skill. Shot from the edge of the box.
Top corner. Unstoppable.
1-0 France at halftime.
In the seventy-fourth minute, Mbappé doubled the lead. A counter-attack. Clinical finish.
2-0 France.
Poland pulled one back through Lewandowski. 2-1.
But France held on.
Final score: France 2-1 Poland.
Quarter-finals. One step closer.
End of Chapter 37