Thuram on the losing side despite assist in the World Cup final

Marcus Thuram and France finished as runners-up at the World Cup after an incredible final. Borussia’s forward played a big part in his nation’s comeback from 2-0 down, with the game eventually going to penalties. The South Americans then won the shootout 4-2.

Marcus Thuram became the fourth Borussia player to feature in a World Cup final after Rainer Bonhof, Berti Vogts (both 1974) and Christoph Kramer (2014). The 25-year-old attacker and France were eventually beaten on penalties by superstar Lionel Messi and Argentina.

The fact that a shootout was even required was partly down to Thuram, who came on for Olivier Giroud in the 41st minute with his side 2-0 down. Thuram and fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt improved France’s attack and helped get them back into the game. It was Thuram who assisted Kylian Mbappé’s second goal to tie the final at 2-2.

Messi then put Argentina ahead again in extra time, but Mbappé responded once more from the spot to take the game to penalties. Two France players missed and Argentina won 4-2 in the shootout. Thuram, who was named as the last man in Didier Deschamps’ squad, can look back proudly on his first World Cup campaign. He played 90 minutes off the bench in total and set up two goals.