Didier Deschamps: an apology. There was a theory that only one man could stop France from winning the World Cup and that individual was not Neymar or Lionel Messi, but Deschamps. Instead, he has now emulated Franz Beckenbauer, the only other to win the World Cup as both captain and manager.
It is a remarkable feat, but, until the flurry of goals rendered it one of the most entertaining World Cup finals, this felt a very Deschamps kind of win, incorporating an own goal from a free kick that probably should not have been awarded and a disputed penalty and included a first half when France had one shot and scored twice. Perhaps it represented a victory for pragmatism over romanticism.
The dream that a country of barely four million people could win the World Cup died. Deschamps, a former defensive midfielder whose first substitution was to bring on a defensive midfielder, was its unsentimental assassin.
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Read more:
France win the World Cup with 4-2 victory over Croatia
France and Croatia fans at the World Cup final - in pictures
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Croatia may have been the best team for much of the first hour, but France lifted the trophy. They did so emphatically, but also deservedly. They became the first side since the great Brazilians of 1970 to score four goals in the World Cup final. The idea that Deschamps is one of management’s roundheads was rebutted by his charges.
They have been the tournament’s strongest team, the best balanced, with excellence in each half of the pitch, courtesy of Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, plus N’Golo Kante, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane.
Even the names reflect Deschamps’ good fortune and yet talent still needs harnessing and organising, configuring and motivating. France froze in the final of Euro 2016. Two years later, they performed.
Gifted players ended up expressing themselves. Mbappe became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final when drilling in their fourth. Pogba delivered the third to show how he has allied defensive discipline with attacking threat.
Above all, though, there was Griezmann. He was Euro 2016’s top scorer. Mbappe’s emergence has demoted him to the supporting cast. Perhaps that enabled him to ghost around, a master of elusive excellence.
Griezmann teed Pogba up for his goal. He ends the tournament with four goals and three assists. A man who missed a penalty in a Champions League final scored one in a World Cup final, albeit after the intervention of VAR.
France’s opener was the third goal in as many games that has stemmed from Griezmann’s dead-ball expertise. In the quarter- and semi-finals his set-pieces were headed in by Varane and Umtiti. This time, the unwitting Mario Mandzukic applied the final touch for a goal he later cancelled out with one at the right end.
It was a sign of the spirit that has propelled Croatia thus far. Trailing and forever mounting comebacks is not a failsafe formula, but a team who ought to have been tired have instead proved terrific.
Yet France’s status as rightful winners is underlined by their route to glory: Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium, Croatia. They have beaten the attacking and the defensive, the individuals and the true teams.
And teamwork has long been a priority for Deschamps. From Karim Benzema to Adrien Rabiot, gifted players have been omitted in his reign. It is easier to make such decisions when the alternatives are so enticing but the collective has been prioritised. His decision-making – restoring Olivier Giroud to the starting 11 as the non-scoring striker, removing the booked Kante – has been justified.
Just as he did in 1998, Deschamps has drawn players together. He was never the most showy of players and he has similar traits as a manager. Perhaps it means he is underestimated. But he is a select group of two now: the only men who have led teams to the World Cup as both player and manager.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Company%20profile
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How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
ON%20TRACK
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Teaching in coronavirus times
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now