Didier Deschamps has come out strongly in support of Ousmane Dembele after the France winger silenced his critics by scoring his first-ever World Cup goal.

The France head coach praised Dembele’s performance following a commanding win over Iraq, insisting that the winger deserves more respect. Dembele, who has faced scrutiny for a subdued outing against Senegal where he failed to register a single shot on target, responded with a goal and an assist, showcasing the quality that helped him lead Paris Saint-Germain to European success.

Deschamps responds to criticism of Dembele

After France’s emphatic 3-0 win over Iraq on Tuesday, Deschamps defended his player while speaking to the media. The coach light-heartedly remarked on the criticism Dembele had faced following the 3-1 victory against Senegal on June 16.

During that earlier fixture, Dembele played 80 minutes before being substituted by Bradley Barcola, failing to complete a dribble or produce a shot on target. Deschamps told reporters: “Maybe now you [journalists] will get off his case and find someone else to talk about. There hasn’t been any problem with him — he’s simply adjusting to a system that’s different from what he plays at club level. Once he’s physically sharp, it’s only about fine-tuning.”

Deschamps highlights his faith in the winger

The France boss went on to underline his continued faith in Dembele, emphasising that the forward remains a key part of the national setup. The 2018 World Cup-winning coach pointed out that Dembele, who has earned 61 caps and scored eight international goals, continues to have his complete confidence.

Deschamps said: “He has my trust, and he knows that. He’s not someone who doubts himself, but today was important because he showed his decisive qualities. He’s always had that ability; the only reason he hasn’t shown it more often is because he’s had interruptions in his form. He’s been part of the squad since 2018, though often coming off the bench. [What he did today] is positive for him and, above all, for the team.”

A special night for the Paris Saint-Germain forward

Dembele’s milestone moment came during 68 productive minutes on the pitch before he was replaced by Desire Doue. The winger made three key passes, including an assist for Kylian Mbappe after smartly capitalising on a loose touch from Ahmed Basil. Roughly ten minutes later, Dembele scored himself, finishing coolly in a one-on-one situation after being set up by Michael Olise. That composed strike, one of four shots he took, marked his first goal in a major international competition. Having guided Paris Saint-Germain to back-to-back UEFA Champions League trophies in 2025 and 2026, Dembele’s display was a fitting response to recent criticism.

What lies ahead for France and Dembele?

France now turn their attention to their final group-stage encounter with Norway. Both sides enter the clash with perfect records, each having secured six points from their opening two matches. The showdown will determine who finishes atop the group. With the pressure of scoring lifted, Dembele is expected to play an influential role as France aim to complete the group stage with a flawless record.