France's defeated World Cup soccer heroes return to acclaim in Paris

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - France team at Hotel Crillon after losing in the World Cup Final against Argentina - Paris, France - December 19, 2022 General view as France players greet fans from a balcony REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

PARIS (Reuters) - France's national soccer team returned from Qatar to the acclaim of huge crowds in Paris on Monday, after their heroic defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final, which won them admiration in the country and across the world.

A coach carrying stars such as Kylian Mbappe, whose thrilling hat-trick in Sunday's final brought France back from the edge of defeat, journeyed from the Paris airport - where staff applauded them as they got off the plane - and into the heart of the capital where thousands gathered to greet them.