France will be heartbroken after losing the World Cup final to Argentina in a penalty shootout, but the genius of Kylian Mbappe and the depth of talent in the squad bode well for the future.
France began the World Cup without Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, striker Christopher Nkunku, midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba and lost left-back Lucas Hernandez in the first game, yet still reached the final, where they lost 4-2 on penalties after a spectacular 3-3 draw.
Mbappe, who turns 24 today, netted all three French goals, taking his tally from two World Cups to 12.
All of his goals on Sunday came after coach Didier Deschamps sent on Randal Kolo Muani (24), Marcus Thuram (25), Eduardo Camavinga (20), and Kingsley Coman (26).
“Potentially, this France team…