Following France’s convincing 3-0 win over Iraq on Tuesday, Didier Deschamps firmly defended Ousmane Dembele and pushed back against recent criticism aimed at the winger.
Key Takeaways from Dembélé's Resurgence:
- Ousmane Dembélé netted his first major tournament goal and assisted Kylian Mbappé in France's 3-0 victory over Iraq.
- Didier Deschamps fiercely defended Dembélé from media criticism following a previous underwhelming display.
- The Paris Saint-Germain star proved his decisive impact, reinforcing his vital role for Les Bleus.
- France now faces Norway in a pivotal group stage clash to determine the top spot.
Deschamps Fires Back at Criticism of Dembele
The France boss even joked with reporters about the scrutiny Dembele faced after the 3-1 victory over Senegal on June 16, where the winger played 80 minutes before being replaced by Bradley Barcola. In that match, Dembele did not complete a dribble or register a shot on target.
Deschamps insisted there was no issue with his performance and stressed that the player is simply adjusting to a system he is not fully accustomed to at club level, adding that physical sharpness and tactical adaptation will naturally improve his output.
“Full Trust” in France’s Key Attacker
The France manager doubled down on his support, underlining his belief in Dembele’s quality and mentality. With 61 caps and eight international goals, the PSG forward remains a trusted figure in the national setup. Deschamps made it clear that external noise has no impact on his judgement, stressing that Dembele has his complete confidence.
He highlighted the forward’s decisive qualities and explained that consistency at international level has often been affected by past spells out of form or limited starting opportunities, but the belief in his potential has never changed.
Dembele Delivers Milestone Performance Against Iraq
Dembele responded on the pitch with a standout display in France’s dominant win, marking a major milestone in his international career. In 68 minutes before being replaced by Desire Doue, he produced three key passes, including an assist for Kylian Mbappe after reacting quickly to a loose touch from Ahmed Basil.
He later got on the scoresheet himself, finishing a one-on-one after being played through by Michael Olise. The goal—his first at a major tournament—came from four shots in total and capped off a statement performance, reinforcing his growing influence on the global stage.
France Eye Top Spot as Norway Clash Looms
France now turn their attention to a decisive final group-stage fixture against Norway, with both sides sitting on a perfect six points from two matches. The upcoming clash will determine who finishes top of the group, with Dembele expected to play a key role once again after easing pressure with his breakthrough goal.
With confidence building and form improving, France head into the showdown aiming to complete the group stage with a flawless record.
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