Geopolitical context, low expected attendance and close security around the Stade de France… This meeting of the fifth day of the League of Nations will have nothing in common this Thursday evening in Saint-Denis. However, this match, in addition to marking the return of the Blues after 17 months of absence at the Stade de France, is above all an opportunity for them to validate their ticket for the quarter-finals of the competition. A draw would be enough.
45′ It’s the break at the Stade de France
With almost 70% possession, 8 shots on goal and only 2 shots on target, the Blues did not find the solution in this first act, which really lacked intensity. Reaction expected in the second half.
Two minutes of added time
43′ Camavinga calls for a penalty
At the entrance to the area, the Madrilenian attempted a hook between two days and demanded a penalty, but was unsuccessful.
41′ Barcola misses his recovery!
The Blues try to open the score, but neither Kolo Muani nor Barcola can worry Peretz.
The Blues remain on three victories
After a defeat at the Parc des Princes during the first day of the League of Nations, the Blues beat Belgium twice as well as Israel and therefore remain on a series of three victories in a row.
36′ Incredible opportunity for Israel
On the free kick which follows Camavinga’s foul, the ball is extended by Turgeman and arrives at Shlomo who is in an ideal situation to adjust Maignan, but does not succeed.
35′ Camavinga penalized!
Guilty of a foul and a small gesture of humor, the Real Madrid midfielder is warned of a yellow card. Under suspension, he will miss the match against Italy on Sunday.
33′ Sterile domination of the Blues
The Tricolores invest the opposing camp but cannot find solutions to make the difference and really start this match.
30′ Israel clears the danger
The Blues’ crosses are dangerous, but no one manages to finish them. The Israeli defense raises the danger as far away as possible.
28′ Still no goal in this match
During the first leg, almost a month ago, three goals were scored in the 28th minute of play, including two for the Blues (Camavinga and Nkunku).
20′ Kanté forces Peretz into the parade!
After Barcola enters the area and sends a cross, Kanté gets into a striking position and opens his foot. Peretz lays down well and deflects for a corner.
18′ First shot on target for the Blues
Like a few minutes earlier, Camavinga’s lofted ball found Kolo Muani, whose header was close to deceiving Peretz. It will ultimately be a corner for the Blues.
14′ Balanced possession
60% possession for the Blues at the start of the match. Didier Deschamps’ men, who are trying to set up fairly high pressure, have not yet created any real chances.
12′ Israel tries to react
Thanks in particular to its players Solomon and Gloukh, Israel is trying to undermine the French defense.
10′ The rise of Zaire-Emery
Koundé launches his young midfielder in depth. But he, who was trying to get into a central position, was unable to catch the ball, which flew out of bounds.
8′ Olise’s center is too deep
Nobody is behind the cross from the Bayern Munich player. Israel will try to revive itself and invest the opposing camp.
6′ The Blues look for the loophole
The Israeli defense is well in place at the start of the match with no less than five defenders installed in front of the French offensives.
4′ We hear drums
We only heard the whistles of the French supporters at the end of the Israeli anthem… We can definitely hear the drums of the French supporters at the start of the match.
3′ Olise close to opening the score
Launched in depth, Kolo Muani clears his opponent and crosses back on Olise, who is blocked at the time of his strike. The Blues striker was finally flagged offside at the start of the action.
1′ Let’s go to the Stade de France!
It is the French who kick off this meeting.
8:41 p.m. Time for national anthems
All in a sad atmosphere and with a huge cloud of smoke to accompany the Israelis.
8:35 p.m. Emmanuel Macron will be present this evening at the Stadium
Emmanuel Macron will be accompanied by Michel Barnier and Nicolas Sarkozy during the France-Israel match at the Stade de France this Thursday. A meeting which will take place in a very tense context and whose security system has been “extremely reinforced”
8:30 p.m. Focus on the match referee
UEFA has appointed Tobias Stieler to referee this match on the fifth day of the Nations League. The German has a second job, perfectly compatible with that of an international referee.
➡️ “I know the feeling of strong pressure…” What is this second job that the match referee practices
8:25 p.m. “We’re still going to party”
Former Franco-Israeli MP Meyer Habib is present this Thursday evening at the Stade de France. On his social networks he wrote a post and published two photos, one of which was with Enrico Macias.
45 minutes from kick-off! The Stade de France is almost empty! It’s sad!
But we’re still going to party, no offense to these scoundrels!! pic.twitter.com/pgsI16nEgd— Meyer Habib (@Meyer_Habib) https://twitter.com/Meyer_Habib/status/1857137072357953634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
8:20 p.m. N’Golo Kanté named captain
In the absence of Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the former Chelsea midfielder will wear the captain’s armband during the fifth day of the Nations League. An honor that he will experience for the second time in his career in Blue.
➡️ “I feel good and ready”… In the absence of Kylian Mbappé, N’Golo Kanté named captain by Didier Deschamps
8:15 p.m. The lowest attendance in the history of the Blues?
To find the weakest in history for a meeting of the French team, we have to go back to 2003. At the time, the Blues played a Confederations Cup match in front of nearly 37,000 spectators. This Thursday evening, it should be almost three times less.
8:10 p.m. What does the Israel team look like?
While the French team hosts Israel this Thursday evening at the Stade de France in an ultra-secure context, some supporters hope to give a more multicultural image of their country.
➡️ Jews, Arabs, Druze… not just a “white settler team”… what does Israel’s team look like?
8:00 p.m. A match that will cost the FFF dearly
With attendance at half-mast and security costs increasing, the organization of the League of Nations meeting will impact the finances of the French Football Federation.
➡️ 3.5 million euros cost, drop in box office revenue, security… Why the match will be expensive for the FFF
7:45 p.m. Good evening everyone!
And welcome to this live commentary of the meeting between France and Israel, fifth day of the Nations League group stage. Kick-off at 8:45 p.m. on the pitch of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Swiss
