Maignan Becomes Third Frenchman to Save World Cup Penalty

France's goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, was named Man of the Match in their World Cup clash against Norway. He became the first French custodian in 40 years, and only the third in history, to save a penalty during a World Cup finals match.

In the Group I third-round fixture against the Norwegians, which France won 4-1, Maignan denied striker Jørgen Strand Larsen from the spot.

Before Maignan, the last French goalkeeper to save a penalty at a World Cup was Joël Bats. He famously parried Zico's shot in the quarter-final encounter against Brazil at the 1986 World Cup.

The only other French shot-stopper to achieve this feat was Alex Thépot, who saved a penalty against Chile at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.