Featured Image Credit: Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy. SBS.
Topics: Argentina, Football World Cup, France, Raphael Varane, Football
Jayden Collins
Topics: Argentina, Football World Cup, France, Raphael Varane, Football
Poor Raphael Varane.
The Frenchmen had a stunning tournament helping his nation to the World Cup final.
However, France missed out on the chance to become only the second team in football history to win back-to-back World Cups when they lost to Argentina on penalties.
And fans have joked that Varane’s bum may have been instrumental in that loss.
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Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria had put Argentina two goals ahead only for Kylian Mbappe to hit back with a 90-second brace to put the game into extra time.
Messi then scored again in extra time to make it 3-2, but only after an extremely tight offside call that involved the Manchester United defender.
Enzo Fernandez had slotted through Lautaro Martinez, whose effort was saved by Hugo Lloris only for Messi to edge the rebound over the line.
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Martinez had looked to be offside in real-time, however, VAR confirmed that Varane’s backside had only just played the striker onside.
It was just a whisker but it certainly looks as though Varane’s bum made the difference.
Fans online quipped that the Frenchmen’s rear-end cost the country the World Cup final.
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One fan wrote: “Raphael Varane's bum kept Argentina on-side in extra time... you rarely hear about the pitfalls of having a great caboose.”
Another said: “Varane’s bum really cost a whole nation.”
A third tweeted: “Can't believe Varane's a** is the difference between winning and losing a World cup. Elite bum.”
A fourth added: “Tears bro, Varane’s bum is the reason why Argentina won the World Cup.”
It wasn’t Lionel Messi’s heroics or the team spirit that helped Argentina lift the trophy, apparently, it was Varane’s bum.
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Had Lautaro instead been offside, then theoretically Mbappe’s second penalty would have given France the 3-2 win in extra time.
Although the key word there is certainly theoretically.
It was a game of tight margins and defining moments, such as Emi Martinez's wonderful last-ditch save.
The goalkeeper went on to be the hero in the penalty shootout for Argentina, saving Kingsley Coman’s effort before Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide.
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It signalled Argentina’s third World Cup triumph, and Lionel Messi’s first.