2022 World Cup: Théo Hernandez, the unexpected warrior of the France team

Europe 1 with AFP 10:33 p.m., December 14, 2022

In the purest tradition of French defenders who score in the semi-finals of major competition, Jean-François Domergue at Euro 1984, Lilian Thuram at the 1998 World Cup and Samuel Umtiti four and a half years ago in Russia, left-back Théo Hernandez qualified the Blues for their fourth world final, on the day of his twelfth selection.

Arms spread, head held high, eyes convinced in front of a stand at the al-Bayt stadium largely in the colors of Morocco, the AC Milan defender may have thought of Lucas when celebrating his goal.

Victim of a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee in the first minutes of the tournament against Australia (4-1), the eldest had to appreciate, he who conceded to AFP, before the World Cup, that he would be very happy to see his brother pass him in the hierarchy.

"If it's my brother to play, I'd be almost even happier!" exclaimed the Munich resident.

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Theo the acrobat

In front of his screen, Lucas was able to appreciate Théo's acrobatic gesture from the 5th minute, a complicated recovery from the left, after a blocked strike from Kylian Mbappé.

For the Blues, it was the perfect scenario: who else but a defender to break through the Moroccan wall, never faulted in this World Cup, with the exception of an own goal from Nayef Aguerd?

By scoring after four minutes and 39 seconds, Théo became the fastest scorer in a World Cup semi-final since 1958 and Brazilian Vavá after two minutes against... France, according to statistician Opta.

Captain Hugo Lloris had asked his troops to "attack hard" as "as quickly as possible" on Tuesday, and Theo applied the instructions.

Did he want to redeem himself after his gross foul in the quarter-finals on Mason Mount, causing a penalty that was ultimately missed?

In any case, the 25-year-old has this enormous ability to make a difference offensively, unlike his brother, trained as a central defender. 

In twelve selections, Théo is already involved in eight goals for the France team: two that he scored himself, and six assists, including two during this World Cup, for Adrien Rabiot and Mbappé, his sidekick. blue left, even faster than him.

Again, this is a record.

Never had a defender been so effective during his first twelve selections in the tricolor jersey.

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Imperfect positioning

In China, his speed has already earned him the nickname "Super Car", and that made him laugh in recent days at a press conference.

"If I'm a Ferrari, it's better!"

he launched, in a joke worthy of his big brother, much more lodger than him.

Already author of twenty goals and 19 assists in Milan since his arrival in 2019, the youngest of Hernandez is also inspired by Lucas to improve in defensive work, his weak point.

To compensate for an often imperfect positioning and a few errors, Theo displays a very feisty temperament, aggressive in all duels.

It's not the last, either, to fall to the ground and wince when he thinks he's going to have a collision... Lucas spit it all out!

When he claims fouls, touches or cards, it is not uncommon to see him display the same frowning eyebrows as his big brother.

But Théo Hernandez stands out, in the locker room, with a very calm, almost shy character, a quiet strength that is precious for the Blues in their quest for a double.