FANS have praised a Women’s World Cup advert that has left them “questioning reality”.
The tournament is set to kick off in Australia next week, with England among the teams aiming to bring home the trophy.
Also vying for glory will be European heavyweights France, who will hope to put troubles of recent years behind them to have a shot at glory.
In partnership with Orange, the French Football Federation have put together a brilliant advert for the tournament.
The two minute advert kicks off by showing a series of clips featuring men’s team superstars including Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni.
In the series of highlights, players can be seen producing tricks, flicks and brilliant strikes.
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Halfway through, however, the ad produces a killer twist.
A message on screen reads: “Only Les Bleus can give us these emotions. But that’s not them you’ve just seen.”
The video then rewinds to the beginning, and reveals that all of the clips shown were actually from France’s women’s team matches – edited with VFX to look like their male counterparts.
It then proceeds to show the real clips, with Delphine Cascarino and Co producing moments of magic.
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Seeing the advert on Reddit, fans praised its originality.
One wrote: “I’m tricked. Going to question the rest of my reality now.”
While a second commented: “Absolutely bamboozled me. Great ad.”
A third admitted: “Pretty clever that. Can’t wait for the WC to start.”
Another added: “That’s actually really awesome.”
While a further social media user joked: “Knew it was fake when I saw Griezmann beat a man but great ad.”
France enter the tournament having sacked head coach Corinne Diacre in March.
The 48-year-old was said to have caused a “a very significant divide” within the squad.
Her tenure was littered with high-profile feuds with some of her most high-profile players – including Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Amandine Henry and Eugenie Le Sommer.
The final straw came earlier this year, when skipper Wendie Renard announced that she would no longer be available for her country because she “can no longer support the current system”.
After Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani followed – Diacre was finally dispensed of her duties.
France will have a familiar face in the dugout, with Herve Renard having succeeded Diacre.
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The 54-year-old has been a distinctive figure in the men’s international game for a number of years – most recently managing Saudi Arabia at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar.
He has previously coached Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations glory.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
