LdN: France largely wins against Israel

Second in the standings of group 2 of League A, the French team faced the bottom of the group this evening, Israel. Beaten by Italy (1-3), but winners of Belgium (2-0), Didier Deschamps’ men should not miss the opportunity to take points against the weakest opponent in the group. However, the Blues found themselves in an unprecedented configuration for ten years, deprived of Kylian Mbappé (left at the disposal of Real Madrid) and Antoine Griezmann (international retirement). In this match relocated to Hungary for the geopolitical reasons that we know, DD arrived with a starting eleven that was rather attractive on paper despite the notable absentees. With classic defense (Maignan, Koundé, Konaté, Saliba, Hernandez), a merengue duo in recovery (Camavinga, Tchouameni) and a very well-stocked offensive sector (Dembélé, Olise, Nkunku and Kolo Muani). It all started perfectly for the reigning world vice-champions. On a shot from Camavinga, Glazer made a complete hole, opening the scoring to the French (7th, 0-1). A huge dumpling to start its feast, France didn’t ask for that much. Very restless on his right side, Dembélé then had the opportunity to bring danger in front of the opposing goal in three minutes. The first time after a festival of dribbling known by an off-target shot (12th). And the second on a dangerous cross cleared by Feingold (15th).

Dominant, the French spent a quiet evening before being surprised by the first Israeli goal action concluded by a well-placed header from Gandelman (1-1, 24th). What is there to fear about the trap match? Four minutes later, Christopher Nkunku scored his first goal in blue after getting past three defenders and gave his team the advantage (2-1, 28th). In the process, Dembélé, again, delivered a new cross which forced Feiglod to once again make a catastrophic clearance for a corner (32nd). Returning from the locker room, the Tricolores remained in control, but the match was becoming more and more difficult to follow. The fault of a neutral stadium without atmosphere, but above all a lot of technical waste on both sides. At half-time, Didier Deschamps made a face and did not hesitate to give some advice to Michael Olise, who was barely visible in the axis of the French attack. Difficult in these conditions to get something in your mouth apart from a full-axis shot from Dembélé captured without worry by Glazer (63rd). Twenty minutes from time, Deschamps tried to inject new blood with the entry of Bradley Barcola, Youssouf Fofana and Mattéo Guendouzi. But not enough to inject a real impact into the French game immediately, even if Gropper had to throw himself to prevent a shot from Tchouameni at the entrance to the area from ending up in his goals (85th). This minimal lead, however, left the Blues under threat of a draw, making the end of the match tense. Fortunately for the Blues, the starters ended up making the difference at the end of the match. Barcola was at the origin of the action which led to Mattéo Guendouzi’s goal (3-1, 87th), then it was the turn of the former Marseillais to become a decisive passer for the Parisian (4-1, 89th). Thanks to this success sealed at the end of the game, France takes advantage of Italy’s draw against Belgium to come back to within a small point of the Transalpines before going to challenge the Red Devils next Monday.

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