PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-1 Colombia: France’s B team dominate to stake their claim for World Cup selection
PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-1 Colombia: France’s B team dominate to stake their claim for World Cup selection 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.
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. 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?
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