France – Belgium – The notes of the Blues: Saliba balèze, Griezmann uncomfortable

Another very good match for the most consistent Frenchman in the tournament. He first read the Belgian intentions perfectly by anticipating openings in depth. Then he repelled a vicious free kick from De Bruyne with his foot, then with two horizontal strikes from the City leader (58th) and Lukaku (71st).

We would have bet on a difficult evening with Doku to struggle and no winger to free up space for him. It was quite the opposite. The most dangerous blue (yes, yes), he fed his attackers with pancakes (12th, 35th, 41st, 56th). As for Doku? He disappeared. Penultimate passer on goal, the Barcelona player undoubtedly delivered his best match for the French team. As for Doku? He disappeared.

• In short… The right-back position is no longer a weak point. Miracle.

If he bit on Openda’s feint (27th), he shone, moreover, by his power. High recoveries, a lot of dissuasion, the Munich player is back at a very high level in this Euro and the pair he forms with Saliba is the best insurance of this French team.

He put Romelu Lukaku in his pocket. The Gunner completely extinguished the Belgian. We expected a duel of titans but there was only one giant on the pitch. It is also on yet another duel won by the former Stéphanois that the action of the goal begins. Of course, he still experienced a moment of confusion on a too dangerous restart exploited by Carrasco (61st). But what a match!

• In short… His best match in Blue, too.

Very active in the first half, he lacked precision but we can’t blame him for his desire. He was the one who started the defensive action with his change of wing. The Milanese was irreproachable at the back and his return in front of Carrasco (61st) was worth all the gold in the world. A warrior, he ended up with foam at the mouth when Belgium started to come out of its den.

It’s the return of the great Tchouaméni. Very dense, his first hour of play kept the Blues afloat. Its connection with Koundé was the major axis of the French attacks with Tchouaméni for the opening, Koundé for the center. His athletic presence allowed him to recover balls in dangerous areas. We will simply criticize him for his balance on his numerous flying shots (45th, 65th, 69th).

• In short… The return of the boss.

When France dominates so much, when the opponent refuses to fight, his profile is clearly less necessary. Despite everything, he brought energy with the ball at his feet and tried to serve as a relay when the team was sleeping. And it was he who served Randal Kolo Muani on the only goal of the match.

• In short… The right pass at the right time.

Very available, in the role of Griezmann, he started with his foot on the accelerator. But the very severe card he received and which will deprive him of the quarter-final took him out of his match a little. There followed a clear drop in performance and he could have projected himself more against such a harmless team.

A terrible first half where he absolutely missed everything. A shot (10th), passes that were perfectly within his capabilities, his shifts for Koundé and a total of 8 balls given back to the opponent… On his right side, he did nothing good. He realigned after the break. Very discreet, he gradually resurfaced but we expect a lot more from the one who remains the custodian of the Blues’ game. He is, in fact, responsible for the lack of ideas and momentum on Monday. Even if Deschamps did not make his task easy.

• In short… What if Rabiot’s suspension finally allowed him to return to the heart of the reactor?

Missed passes, controls that took too long and calls at the wrong time: Thuram has been through an ordeal. However, Jules Koundé gave him some good ammunition. What did he do with it? A head in the clouds (35th) and a shoulder blow (51st). The Inter player, too isolated, does not find his place in this French team and gives the impression of struggling in the void.

• In short… Not up to international standards.

Replaced by Randal Kolo Muani (62nd), who delivered an entire country because he brought life.

A match that resembles his start to the tournament with activity but a crazy lack of precision for a player of this level. Apart from a breakthrough in the 45th minute, he never weighed on events before the break. Then, he chained shots off target. We expect much more from the one who must bring France out of its coma.