Despite starting with a totally revamped starting XI, France comprehensively outplayed Colombia, winning 3-1 thanks to a Désiré Doué double, sandwiching a Marcus Thuram header. If the purpose of this match was for a fringe players to cement their place in the squad, few of them failed their audition, giving Deschamps a selection headache that most international coaches will envy.
The Match
After N’Golo Kanté led the team out in Washington on his 35th birthday, the team sporting their new first kit which makes them look like seats on the London Underground, les Bleus began the match slowly, as they did against Brazil, their high line giving Colombia a couple of early half-chances. France quickly settled in to their stride, however, with Rayan Cherki running the show as the team played some attractive one-touch football. Their dominance was rewarded on the half-hour as Maghnes Akliouche and Cherki combined to feed Thuram. He looked to have lingered too long but the ball came to the edge of the area where Doué powered home his first international goal, with the aid of a deflection.
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Les Bleus doubled their lead 10 minutes later. A fantastic body swerve from Maxence Lacroix bought himself space and time to begin a sweeping move which featured Cherki and Pierre Kalulu before an excellent Akliouche cross was headed in by Thuram (only his third goal in 33 international appearances).
France’s domination continued into the second half and, on 56 minutes, Doué doubled his tally, slotting home another incisive move featuring Akliouche, Cherki and Thuram.
Multiple changes on both sides disrupted the final half hour, duing which Jaminton Campaz scored a consolation and substitutes Hugo Ekitike (twice) and Kylian Mbappe should perhaps have scored, before Mbappe slotted home late, only to be denied a record-equalling goal by the off-side flag.
An excellent team performance which highlights France’s embarrassment of riches in certain positions.
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France Player Ratings
Brice Samba 6 – did not have a lot to do, but he did it all well, cutting out dangerous crosses and making a sharp save at 0-0. Could do nothing about the Colombia goal.
Pierre Kalulu 5 – looked bright going forward, played a part in France’s second, but was caught out of position a few times, including for Colombia’s goal.
Maxence Lacroix 7 – the big winner of this international meet? Was not in the original squad but looked comfortably the most assured of the four centre-backs to feature across the two matches. Dominant in the air, an excellent last-ditch block and began the move for France’s second too.
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Lucas Hernandez 5 – Hernandez has a knack of coming up with excellent last-ditch clearances … often necessitated by his original errors! A strong performance by the World Cup winner, although he – like the rest of his back four – was not blameless for Colombia’s goal.
Lucas Digne 6 – solid in defence and going forward. Did enough to put himself ahead of Theo Hernandez in the starting XI reckoning, but that arguably says more about the paucity of quality left-backs.
Warren Zaire-Emery 7 – a very impressive performance, combining really well with Kanté while supporting the attack too. Has surely put himself ahead of Eduardo Camavinga for a midfield spot in the squad (and can play at right-back, which is arguably more of a problem position than left-back).
N’Golo Kanté 7 – Kanté did what Kanté does – appear all over the pitch, come back to central defence to collect the ball from Samba, pop up in the final third and even on the wing at times and appear out of nowhere to snuff out threats when a team-mate loses the ball.
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Maghnes Akliouche 8 – he and Cherki were the stand-out performers as France hogged possession and created some beautiful build-up play, particularly in the first half. Involved in all of France’s goals, with a perfect cross for the second.
Rayan Cherki 8 – a few losses of possession but that is to be expected with Cherki’s one-touch game. Otherwise, he controlled the match, was at the centre of everything good that France did and, despite France’s depth in attack, has surely cemented his place in the squad.
Désiré Doué 7 – hard to give less than a 6 after his double but, the goals aside, Doué seemed rushed at times in the first half and a few moves seemed to break down at his feet.
Marcus Thuram 6 – again, hard to be too churlish after a goal and an assist. But Thuram’s hold-up play still leaves a lot to be desired. If it is a choice between him and Ekitike, the Liverpool man has surely done enough to win the nod from Deschamps.
GFFN | Jeremy Smith
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