No podium and no bronze medal for the French futsal team. Facing Ukraine, semi-finalist of the last Euro, the Blues largely lost (7-1) this Sunday during the final for 3rd place in the World Cup in Uzbekistan.
After 3 weeks of intense competition, Raphaël Reynaud’s men undoubtedly played one match too many, exhausted physically and mentally three days after their loss in the semi-final against Argentina (2-3) at the end of the suspense. But this heavy defeat will not erase the formidable achievement of the Blues, 10th nation in the world, on the occasion of their first participation in a World Cup.
For this meeting, the coach decided to put Thibaut Garros in the goals, decisive during the second half of the first match 3 weeks ago against Guatemala (6-3). The young Toulouse man works to deflect Semenchenko’s attempt (7th). On the other hand, he can do nothing in the face of the great Ukrainian opportunity concluded by Cherniavskyi (0-1, 10th). The French react with a shot from Guirio stopped by Sukhov (14th). The end of the first act is Ukrainian. A shot from Abakshyn hits the Garros post (17th) then the French goalkeeper repels Korsun’s attempt (18th).
The Blues become emboldened after returning from the locker room. Saadaoui’s shot hits the Sukhov post (21st). On the following action, Semenchenko places the ball on Zvarych’s head (0-2, 22nd). Ayoub Saadaoui then finally opens the counters for France following a caviar from Guirio (1-2, 23rd).
Ukraine regains its domination. Thibaut Garros repels the opposing attacks but loses to Zhuk’s pivotal shot (1-3, 27th). The latter does it again immediately for a definitive break (1-4, 28th). The Blues concede three new goals after removing their goalkeeper to benefit from a 5th outfield player. The dream of a first world medal has passed. You will have to wait until 2028 to try your luck again.