Experts predict era of French dominance after World Cup victory

Rio Ferdinand believes that France could dominate international football following their World Cup victory.

France beat Croatia 4-2 in an impressive final victory in Russia.

Speaking after the match on BBC One, Ferdinand praised the French side and suggested the strength in depth of the squad – and those left behind – means that they could succeed for years to come:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for this squad now.

“Think of the players they’ve left behind. (Anthony) Martial, players like that. (Karim) Benzema didn’t get on the flight. They’ve got a deep squad and they have a team that now knows how to win.”

Former Manchester United and England international Ferdinand went on to praise both the Croatian performance, and the tactical influence French coach Didier Deschamps had on the game:

“Croatia need credit for the way they attacked this game especially in the first half. A couple of decisions didn’t go their way and they will feel hard done by.

“But France, whatever Deschamps said at half-time it worked. The way they came out in the second half, they were fantastic.”

Fellow pundit Alan Shearer believed that N’Golo Kante’s removal shortly after half-time was a turning point. With the score at 2-1, Kante was substituted for Steven N’Zonzi and was carrying a first-half yellow card. Shearer said:

“Deschamps made a big decision in the second half when it was 2-1 to take Kante off. After that they were far more comfortable.”

Ferdinand had praise for current United start Paul Pogba, and highlighted the difference in quality of his performances for the national side and under United boss Jose Mourinho:

“Pogba was immense, especially second half. The pressure was on and he came to the fore.

“It’s down to Jose (Mourinho) now to unlock this Pogba we’ve seen at the World Cup.”

On ITV, another former England international and Manchester United defender, Gary Neville, perceived a general dominance from the French side:

“This felt like a middleweight fighting a heavyweight. Whatever France needed to do to win that game they were going to do it. They were just stronger.”

Another former United player, and Ireland’s assistant manager, Roy Keane, praised Croatia for their attitude but believed they were palpably worse:

“Croatia played well but this level is about winning” and he was clear that the penalty award for a handball from Ivan Perisic, was a clear refereeing error: “It’s just not a penalty, not in a million years.”

Lee Dixon, who played for England and Arsenal before his retirement, disagreed, and believes that VAR gave the referee the chance to make up for his failure to spot the handball at the time:

“I think it’s right – it goes back to the referee and gives him another chance to look at it. The process is right and we have to take it.”

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Away from the final, Neville thought highly both of the England side – for whom he was assistant manager under former England boss Roy Hodgson – and in particular Harry Kane, who was confirmed as the Golden Boot winner:

“England had a great tournament and Harry Kane is a part of that. We needed a goalscorer…he’s a great player, he’s won the Golden Boot and he deserves it.

“I think it’s been the greatest tournament I’ve ever seen. The whole tournament has been amazing, wonderful. Even Croatia can be happy because they’ve been a part of it.”