Paris Saint-Germain players at the World Cup: Act 5, 2018
On the eve of the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, we look back at the Paris Saint-Germain players' journey through the World Cup finals. Fifth and final stop: 2018 in Russia and Les Bleus' second title.
Twelve Paris Saint-Germain players were present in Russia, a new record for Les Rouge et Bleu with Edinson Cavani (Uruguay), Alphonse Areola, Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappé (France), Angel Di Maria and Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina), Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Neymar Jr (Brazil), Kevin Trapp and Julian Draxler (Germany), and Thomas Meunier (Belgium).
Paris were still well represented after the group stage, despite the surprise elimination for Kevin Trapp's Germany (on the bench) and Julian Draxler (2 matches played). The holders were knocked out after being beaten by Mexico (0-1) and South Korea (0-2) to finish in last place in their group.
In the Round of 16, the match between France and Argentina saw Les Bleus eventually come out on top (4-3 on 30/06/2018) with a brace for Kylian Mbappé and despite Angel Di Maria's superb goal for Argentina.
With France, Uruguay, Brazil and Belgium all through to the quarter-finals, Paris still had a strong contingent in Russia.
Four teams and two clashes: France beat Cavani's Uruguay 2-0. Despite him scoring 3 goals in 4 matches during the competition, the Paris Saint-Germain forward picked up a calf injury and was therefore unavailable for the match against Les Bleus, after his brace which had knocked Portugal out in the previous round (2-1): "I am very sad, but also proud to have experienced this with my Uruguay footballing family, both on and off of the pitch."
A few hours later, Thiago Silva (5 matches, 1 goal), Marquinhos (1 match) and Neymar Jr's (5 matches, 2 goals) Brazil were shocked by their defeat at the hands of Belgium (1-2). "It's one of the most painful defeats I have experienced", admitted Neymar Jr after the match.
On 10 July 2018, France and Belgium battled it out for a place in the final in Saint-Petersburg and following a tight encounter, it was Les Bleus who secured a 1-0 win to book their ticket to face Croatia in the final.
Thomas Meunier, found the back of the net in the 3rd/4th play-off against England (2-0 on 14/07/2018) allowing Belgium to climb onto the podium for the first time ever.
24 hours later, France took home their second star with a win over Croatia (4-2). An impressive Kylian Mbappé found the back of the net and his performances at the tournament confirmed his status as one of the greatest prospects in the world of football: 7 matches played and 4 goals scored, at just 19 years old.
Presnel Kimpembe (two matches in Russia) and Alphonse Areola completed the victorious trio, and were honoured at the Parc des Princes a few weeks later.
A tournament and final that Kylian Mbappé will never forget, and he even took home Young Player of the Tournament: "I am very happy, I set out my ambitions at the start of the World Cup, that was to win it. It's the life we wanted, we are proud, happy. I have always said that I didn't want to just coast by in football, being a World Champion sends a message,"
