France ends its year with a heavy defeat against Spain – Friendly – France-Spain (2-4)

France 2-4 Spain

Goals: Méndez (CSC, 37^e) and Diana (72^e) Blue side // Bonmatí (5^e), Pina (23^e), García (60^e) and Caldentey (SP, 81^e) Roja side.

In the last ten matches, they have alternated victory, defeat, victory, defeat, and so on. It was a bad time this evening, France lost against the reigning world champions Spain. A 2-4 defeat in a stadium that sounded hollow, with some good, but also a lot of less good and an impression: the Bleues, who had never lost against Spain before this year, are much inferior to their opponents in the evening.

In a daring 3-4-3 and with only two starters (Wendie Renard and the abandoned PSG captain Grace Geyero) retained compared to the victory against Nigeria (2-1). Vicky Becho on the right and Sandy Baltimore ran and ran and ran. The first first behind Mariona Calendtey, decisive centerer for Aitana Bonmatí (0-1, 6^e). Les Bleues started their thirteenth match of the calendar year with a goal conceded, a record. Claudia Pina concluded a three against two which left no chance for Constance Picaud, who went to dive on the other side (0-2, 23^e). Thomas Sammut, EDF mental trainer with Bonadei, then said to himself that he had more work than with Léon Marchand this summer.

If Maria Méndez offered Les Bleues hope and a flying end to the half (1-2, 37^e), like Sakina Karchaoui's strike, above (40^e), the second period left with the same impression: two classes of difference. Constance Picaud must have worked magnificently on a big shot into the top corner from Abelleira (52^e), but the world champions had something under the hood. The proof: a third goal from García after a long sequence of possession (1-3, 60^e). Dani gave a little hope after a mix-up and a great individual feat from Dali (2-3, 71^e), but the hand of the latter precipitated a penalty from Caldentey and the end of the debates (2-4, 81^e). Debate, or rather correction: France concedes four goals at home for the first time in 15 years.

This evening, the results are gloomy. The French team ends its year with seven defeats, a record in a calendar year. Laurent Bonadei has carried out an extensive squad review, but does not have the stability and assurance of his opponents in the evening. Worse, his team played in front of 11,500 spectators… in two matches. The Nations League will start in February with a lot of unknowns, therefore. The hardest part begins.

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France (4-3-3) : Picaud – Samoura, Renard (cap.), E. Cascarino (Lakrar, 88^e) – Becho (D. Cascarino, 82^e), Dali, Geyero (Bacha, 89^e), Baltimore (Katoto, 82^e) – Mateo (Malard, 64^e), Diani, Karchaoui (Toletti, 65).^e). Coach : Laurent Bonadei.

Spain (4-3-3): Nanclares – Batlle, Codina, Méndez, Carmona (cap.) (Ouahabi, 68^e) – Bonmatí (Garcia, 90^e), Abelleira (Zubieta, 78^e), Guijarro – Caldentey (Vilamala, 90^e), García (Sarriegi, 68^e), Pina (Porteles Nieto, 79^e). Coach: Thomas.

The United States regains the lead in the FIFA rankings