Raphael Varane

Varane's journey to the World Cup final

Thursday 15 December 2022 11:55

France stand on the brink of World Cup history, as they could become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to clinch back-to-back successes in the tournament.

Didier Deschamps' side beat Morocco 2-0 in Wednesday's semi-final to clinch a spot in Sunday's competition decider at the Lusail Stadium, where they'll face Argentina.

United's very own Raphael Varane, along with Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, now have the extremely rare opportunity to play in a second consecutive World Cup final.

The holders have always been among the favourites for this tournament, but just six weeks ago Varane's involvement seemed in doubt as he attempted to recover from the injury suffered at Chelsea in October.

Rapha left the pitch at Stamford Bridge visibly upset after pulling up during the second half of that game, but now is just a game away from shedding tears of a very different kind. Here's how he got there...

FRANCE 4 AUSTRALIA 1 (GROUP D)

Varane had been on the sidelines for almost a month when Didier Deschamps selected him in his final 26-man squad for the tournament. The 54-year-old backed Rapha to feature in the opener against Australia, despite his issue, at a time when injuries were threatening to decimate France's title defence. Their 2018 midfield pivot of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante had already been ruled out, while Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku withdrew after being named in Deschamps' selection. Karim Benzema then pulled out on the eve of tournament, having failed to recover from a thigh injury.

Rapha was named on the bench for the clash with the Socceroos, a game in which the outsiders took a surprise early lead through Craig Goodwin. But the champions came roaring back as a virtuoso attacking display saw them emerge 4-1 victors, with Benzema's replacement Giroud scoring twice to level Thierry Henry's national goalscoring record. Varane wasn't risked, but his time would come four days later...

Varane into World Cup final

 Article

Raphael Varane is the second United player to reach the World Cup final after France's victory over Morocco.

FRANCE 2 DENMARK 1 (GROUP D)

The rumours in the build-up to France's second game suggested Varane would be involved from the start and lo and behold the former Real Madrid man was given the nod to play alongside Dayot Upamecano at Stadium 974. “The most important thing is that he feels ready both physically and mentally. I know that he is," said Deschamps. A quiet game burst into life after half-time, with Mbappe turning home the opener before Andreas Christensen ghosted in at the back post to level.

With Denmark on top and Varane still working his way back to full fitness, he was substituted for Ibrahima Konate in the closing stages. France then reaped their rewards for holding firm when Mbappe converted Griezmann's pinpoint cross four minutes from time. So far, so good then, as Les Bleus booked the first spot in the knockout stages and Rapha got 75 valuable minutes in the legs.

FRANCE 0 TUNISIA 1 (GROUP D)

With Les Bleus safely through, likely as group winners bar a combination of unlikely results, Deschamps shuffled his pack with only Varane and Aurelien Tchouameni keeping their places in the XI. Rapha took the captain's armband but could do nothing to prevent the only goal of the game, as Wahbi Khazri finished a superb individual effort to give Tunisia a much-cherished win. Our centre-back was replaced by William Saliba almost immediately afterwards and watched on as Griezmann thought he'd grabbed a last-gasp equaliser, only to be denied by a prolonged VAR decision. The holders had still done enough to finish top of Group D on goal difference, securing a last-16 tie with Poland...

FRANCE 3 POLAND 1 (ROUND OF 16)

“We are in the round of 16 of the World Cup, we are living a dream but this dream can end at any time if we continue like this.”

That's allegedly the team talk given by Varane at half-time of France's first do-or-die tie, just moments after Giroud had given them the lead with his record 52nd France goal. It was a reminder of Varane's seniority and leadership skills, even at the age of 29, and carried extra gravitas as he'd been forced to make a superb block from Piotr Zielinski with the game still goalless.

Rapha's words of wisdom clearly did the job, with Mbappe's powerful brace ensuring Les Bleus ran out comfortable winners, before Robert Lewandowki's late consolation from the spot. Deschamps' side were beginning to look ominous, especially with Varane completing 90 minutes for the first time since October.

FRANCE 2 ENGLAND 1 (QUARTER-FINALS)

This was a mouthwatering clash of tournament titans, as well as a head-to-head between Reds, at Al Bayt Stadium, with many tipping the winner to go on and claim the trophy. France were unchanged from their Poland win and seized the early impetus, with Tchouameni's 25-yard drive beating Jordan Pickford in the England goal. Les Bleus then sat back and relied on their defensive solidity as England rallied, but the Three Lions eventually equalised through Harry Kane's 54th-minute penalty - awarded for a foul by Tchouameni on the impressive Bukayo Saka.

It then looked as though Gareth Southgate's side would grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but another brilliant Griezmann assist - this time for Giroud - swung the game back in the holders' favour. England had another chance from the spot six minutes from time, but Kane blazed over this time and Varane and co saw out a fraught 10 minutes of added time to clinch a semi-final berth.

What is your prediction for the World Cup final?poll

What is your prediction for the World Cup final?

FRANCE 2 MOROCCO 0 (SEMI-FINALS)

Les Bleus' class of 2022 has proved to be an effective mix of youth and experience, with Varane, Griezmann, Giroud and co providing the backbone to allow France's first-time World Cup participants, like full-backs Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez and midfield pair Adrien Rabiot and Tchouameni, to flourish. Rapha was clearly shouldering a lot of the responsibility prior to the final-four tie with the tournament's biggest surprise package.

"England was a big test and we had to fight to win. We now have enough experience in the team not to fall into any trap,” said Varane. “If Morocco are there, it is not by chance. It is up to us, the experienced players, to prepare the others for battle. Don't take the easy way out.”

After Hernandez's fifth-minute goal, the semi proved to be something of a battle for France, with Morocco rising to the occasion and dominating the ball for large spells. Varane had to be on the spot to cut out a couple of Achraf Hakimi crosses, while both sides hit the woodwork in the search for the game's key next goal. When it eventually arrived, it fell for substitute Randal Kolo Muani, who scored with his first touch to clinch another final berth for France - their fourth in the last seven World Cups.

Varane will once again be there, at the end, on Sunday - but can he close out an action-packed few months for him personally by joining an exclusive pantheon of double World Cup winners?

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