France team returns home to warm welcome after World Cup loss

After suffering a heartbreaking defeat on penalties in the final, the France national team arrived back in Paris on Monday night and was welcomed by thousands of fans.

was looking to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps thanked fans after returning to Paris following Sunday’s final.

"It is our duty with the players to thank all these French men and women who supported us and gave a lot of strength to this France group,"

he told TF1. 

"We shared fabulous emotions even if the ending is cruel and hurts.

"We must not forget all that this group did while having a lot of difficulties before and during the World Cup. They experienced fabulous emotions during this month of competition."

France Captain

also missed the chance to become the first captain in history to lift World Cup twice.

"After the pain of yesterday, [the reception is] a little comfort,"

Lloris said.

 "The most important thing is the recognition of the supporters, even if as an athlete we would have liked to have this gold medal and bring the cup back to France.”

He added: ”Despite what happened before and during the tournament, we showed resilience, we remained a group. We have to keep that going for the Euros."

who become France's record goalscorer during the tournament, added:

"We're going to give each other a big hug and go on vacation to recharge our batteries, because there is a season to finish.

"It is always difficult to leave a group with which we spent a month and a half. We are like a family, like brothers."

Follow 

for the