Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Karim Benzema believes France took too long to get going in their 1-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Germany.
A 12th-minute header by Mats Hummels was enough for Germany to book a semi-final clash with the hosts, but Benzema thinks that France could have been facing Brazil if they had created more chances early on.
“We are disappointed that the adventure stops there. We gave everything, but we couldn’t score,” Benzema told www.lequipe.fr. “The first period was quite difficult, we didn’t have enough attempts for my taste. We had more in the second half, they were endangered, but they have a very good goalkeeper.”
Before that defeat, France had won over many neutrals by playing attractive football as they breezed through Group E and dispatched Nigeria 2-0 in the round of 16.
Benzema proved himself on the biggest stage, contributing three goals and two assists as the Real Madrid striker and Paul Pogba laid the foundations for Didier Deschamps’ side to surprise the naysayers.
“We can be proud of ourselves,” he said. “Do not forget that this is one of the best teams in the world and not one of us had played in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.”
Deschamps echoed Benzema’s sentiments and said he wanted his current squad to emerge stronger for the experience. “I’m very proud of what my players have achieved in this tournament,” he told Fifa.com.
“They weren’t that far short and we were up against a side that is used to playing these big games and has the experience to go with it. We just lacked that little bit you need to get the job done.
“This team is young and has a lot of quality in footballing and mental terms. We need to build on those attributes for our next big tournament – Euro 2016.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments