The match looked like it was, for at least the first half, a game of chess between timid coacheswith pawns that were not often inspired. And it is in this context of a rather closed game that France qualified against its best enemy, Belgium, and will go to challenge the winner of Portugal-Slovenia on Friday at 9 p.m., in Hamburg. A victory at the end of a match where Belgian caution, not necessarily usual, faced the more traditional solid and risk-free implementation Didier Deschamps’ Blues.
The coach at the three finals in major competitions had chosen to put Antoine Griezmann in the starting line-up. But while we thought we were seeing a diamond in which he would be the “high point”, as a playmaker behind Mbappé and Thuram, the Atlético player was instructed to play on the right. A position where he will be ineffective, as he no longer has the speed to overflow. In the middle, The Tchouaméni-Kanté-Rabiot trio was supposed to be a solid baseand he will have been globally. Marcus Thuram, alone at the forefront, and still rather technically awkward, only existed through a header in the 30th minute, on a cross from Koundé, surprisingly active on the right.
At half-time, the statistics showed 9 shots from the Blues, mainly aimed at the spectators. Mbappé was not sharp, Griezmann far from an area of influencedid not bring the creative zest that only he is capable of producing. The midfield was overcrowded, and “artists” like Kevin de Bruyne were condemned to do the replacement work first.
A “Deschamps-style” victory
After the break, it was hoped that the lines would loosen up with time and fatigue. Carrasco managed to escape the vigilance of the Blues, but his shot in the area was blocked by Théo Hernandez in the 60th minute. Didier Deschamps then took off Marcus Thuram to launch Randal Kolo Muani. Position for position, and “profile for profile”. It was not necessary to deviate from the “belt and suspenders” and risk putting more creativity, at the risk of taking a counter. And it was not Lukaku’s strike in the 71st that was going to change the plans of one and the other. Because Domenico Tedesco was just as cautious (or cautious) as his counterpart.
Aurélien Tchouaméni attempted several shots, but they went wide. William Saliba, coming out of a corner, made the French supporters shiver, but his shot went wide. In the 83rd minute, De Bruyne forced Maignan into a save. And two minutes later, the light came from Randal Kolo Muani, at the end of a French attack made up of exchanges between Hernandez, Griezmann and Kanté. The PSG striker inherited the ball in the area, and his shot, blocked, deceived the goalkeeper Casteels. UEFA attributed this goal to Vertonghen against his own side. France had still not scored in the game.
We dreamed then that Deschamps’ plan, although its outcome came at the end of boredom, would go off without a hitch. Pure “Winning ugly”, but which suits this group so well, which accepts to suffer if it is to win in the end. And victory was there this time again. The Belgian “seum” could still continue, France “crushed 1-0” the Red Devils, who this time will not have shown superior quality either. The French team is therefore waiting to find out who will face them, Slovenia or Portugal.
Read more
