Ibrahima Konate has taken to Instagram after he and his France side suffered penalty-shootout defeat to Argentina at the Lusail Stadium in the World Cup final – and Mamadou Sakho has sent the Liverpool star a five-word message.
A Kylian Mbappe hat-trick could not prevent France from losing in their second successive final. A brace from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria netted for Argentina. The game went into penalties and Konate watched on as France lost.
Konate came into the tournament having only played four times for Liverpool this season. But of France’s seven games, he started three of them and came off the bench in two more – including the World Cup final. But Argentina won.
Konate took to Instagram after he and his France side – which includes Premier League stars such as Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, William Saliba and more. He says that “all great successes” come after “several great failures”.
Sakho sends Liverpool star Konate a five-word message
So, why did France come up short against Argentina – even if, by so little? They were playing catch up from early on. To concede that early allowed Argentina to play with more confidence, slow things down and control the game.
But France’s quality showed – substitutions paid off. Didier Deschamps with his decisions to take Olivier Giroud off after 40 minutes and then Antoine Greizmann off at 70. Konate might have started the final over Dayot Upamecano.
But he remained on the bench. While a brilliant campaign for France to reach the final given their injuries, Konate will have hoped to have got into the side ahead of Upamecano and Varane. But Sakho was full of praise for the Reds star.
He replied to his post on Instagram. Commenting a five-word message, ex-Liverpool defender Sakho said “heads up, proud of you.”
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