Fab Four To Become Terrific Two

In the minutes that preceded the shot-stopping heroics which ensured the five-time world champions’ campaign would continue, a host of images flashed through Cesar’s mind: the misjudgement of a high ball that contributed to defeat by the Netherlands at South Africa 2010; the penalty save versus Uruguay – again in the Mineirao – in the semi-final of last year’s Confederations Cup; the faith Felipão showed in him even when out of favour at QPR; the spectacular second-half save to prevent Chile going ahead; and even his aunt’s living room in Duque de Caxias, 20 years ago.

I Got Very Emotional And Couldn’t Hold Back The Tears.

In the minutes that preceded the shot-stopping heroics which ensured the five-time world champions’ campaign would continue, a host of images flashed through Cesar’s mind: the misjudgement of a high ball that contributed to defeat by the Netherlands at South Africa 2010; the penalty save versus Uruguay – again in the Mineirao – in the semi-final of last year’s Confederations Cup; the faith Felipão showed in him even when out of favour at QPR; the spectacular second-half save to prevent Chile going ahead; and even his aunt’s living room in Duque de Caxias, 20 years ago.

I'm Proud Of My Players ~ Deschamps

France's superb showings at Brazil 2014 have been greeted by a wave of excitement back home, and also by more than a little head-scratching. After all, how did a side that laboured through qualifying suddenly become a well-oiled unit with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for goals, rattling in 26 and conceding three in eight games since their play-off opener against Ukraine? The euphoria of their second-leg success in that tie has been put forward as one explanation, while some have pointed to the absence of disruptive characters in the squad and the physical freshness of the players.