France make double substitution BEFORE half-time of World Cup final with Giroud and Dembele hooked

FRANCE made a double substitution BEFORE half-time in a desperate attempt to rescue their World Cup dreams.

Didier Deschamps' side found themselves 2-0 down thanks to Lionel Messi's penalty and Angel Di Maria's team goal after just 36 minutes.

And the French boss wasted no time in making the changes to try and claw their way back into the contest.

He hooked off Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele and sent on Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani with just 41 minutes on the clock.

Giroud was absolutely livid, launching a water bottle to the ground as he furiously took his place on the bench.

Viewers at home were split on the brave call by the France chief - but Roy Keane backed the "gamble" he had to make.

Michael Owen tweeted: "Huge decision that by Descamps. Needs to change the course of the game but with three mins to go until half-time? Dembele I get but Giroud?"

Another said: "That’s really embarrassing for Giroud and Dembele. A total recognition that this hasn’t been good enough."

But a third responded: "Deschamps wanting to share the shame. Coward."

And a final user commented: "Pretty harsh on Olivier Giroud, who surely is struggling from a knock, because he's been one of the only individuals applying the necessary effort and is a good threat on set-pieces.

"Ousmane Dembele meanwhile should be ashamed."

France have had a virus in the camp this week but is unclear if any players are still feeling the effects of the illness.

Dembele and Giroud made no impact going forwards as no French player managed a shot in the first half.

It meant Les Bleus had more subs than shots and touches in the Argentina box COMBINED in the nightmare first half (two to zero).

However, Dembele was heavily involved in the opening goal.

He gifted Argentina the spot-kick when he tripped Di Maria in the area.

Messi made no mistake from 12 yards as he moved level with Pele on 12 World Cup goals - and now has the most goal involvements with 20.