You only miss one person… For their first outing since the announcement of Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement, the Blues were sluggish against Israel, this Thursday evening in Hungary. After 80 insipid minutes, they finished in style to claim a big victory.
100% realism. From its first attempt, France found the fault, helped by Glazer, the Israeli goalkeeper. Even Camavinga, author of the 20m shot, was surprised that it crossed the line (0-1, 7′). This goal rewarded their undivided mastery of the start of the match. Then the Blues started to purr.
A defensive oversight, a goal
Perhaps they had scored too early, like against Italy in September. And, as against Italy, they were joined in the score, the fault of a defensive oversight. Gandelman’s header, found by Gloukh behind the defense, surprised Maignan who could only deflect it onto his post… coming in (1-1, 24′). A short-lived tie thanks to the talent of Nkunku, who got rid of three defenders by turning around at the edge of the area before slipping the ball under Glazer for his first goal for the selection (1-2, 28′). The break broke the French legs a little, while Feingold intervened well in front of Olise on a cross from Dembélé (32′).
Two goals in two minutes to conclude
Returning from the locker room, the French attempts remained timid, against a harmless Israel team. And this despite Deschamps’ tactical changes, switching Dembélé to the left, Nkunku in support of Kolo Muani and Olise to the right. The entry of Barcola (70′) did not bring much more pep to a team lacking inspiration. It took a breakthrough from Hernandez to bring danger to Glazer’s goal, vigilant on his line, before being replaced by Gropper (84′). Finally, while the Blues remained under threat of an equalizer, Hernandez, still at the forefront, found Guendouzi for the break goal (1-3, 87′). The midfielder even turned into a passer for Barcola (1-4, 89′) to kill the match. Enough to give a little depth to a performance that had so far been so dull. But the victory was there, and that was the main thing.
The technical sheet
Referee: M. Dabanovic
BUTS. Israel : Gandelman (24′) ; France : Camavinga (7′), Nkunku (28′), Guendouzi (87′), Barcola (89′).
Warnings. France : Camavinga (18’).
ISRAEL: Glazer (cap.) – Nachmias, Baltaxa, Feingold – Gloukh, Haziza (Biton, 76′), Gandelman (D. Peretez, 62′), Abu Fani (Azoulay, 67′), Abada – Baribo (Khalaili, 62′) , Jaber (Gropper, 76′).
FRANCE : Maignan – Koundé, Koundé, Saliba, Hernandez (Digne, 90′), Camavinga (Fofana, 70′), Tchouaméni (cap.) (Zaire-Emery, 90′) – Dembele, Olise (Barcola, 70′), Nkunku (20′) Guendouzi, 77′), Colonel Muani.
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