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Deschamps on his way to make history
DH Web Desk
Last Updated IST
France head coach Didier Deschamps celebrates at the end of the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. AP/PTI
France head coach Didier Deschamps celebrates at the end of the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. AP/PTI

A record awaits Didier Deschamps, the French football team coach, with his team entering the final of FIFA World Cup 2018. He could be the third footballer to win the World Cup both as a player and coach. Deschamps had kissed the trophy as a player as well. When the 16th World Cup was held in France, the host lifted their first title under his leadership.

Brazilian player Mário Zagallo played as a forward for his country in 1958 and 1962 World Cup matches in which Brazil beat Sweden and Czechoslovakia respectively. He was the team coach in the 1970 World Cup when Brazil beat Italy in Mexico. Pele, who played with Zagallo, became the best young player in Sweden in 1958 and 'rose' to become the best player of the match in 1970. Zagallo also worked with another World Cup winning Brazilian team in 1994 as an assistant coach. Zagallo is 86 years old now.

German player Franz Beckenbauer in 1990 became the second player to lift the trophy as a player and a coach. This central defender was the captain of the 1974 West Germany's World Cup team. The match was held in his own country. They also received the 'Fair Play Award' of the tournament. Beckenbauer trained West Germany in 1990 and they beat Argentina in the final. The match was held in Italy.

The French team in 1970 beat Brazil for 3-0 in the final. The world will now look at them and coach Deschamps at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15 to know if he can be the third player with this feather on his cap.

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(Published 11 July 2018, 16:11 IST)