Two games, two wins. The France team has perfectly negotiated its two international meetings in March to build confidence and test new players. But if there had been real opposition on Friday in Marseille against Côte d’Ivoire (2-1), Tuesday’s match against South Africa (5-0) will have been a real walk in the park as long as the proposed opposition was weak.
If it’s only March, the friendly matches are already over for the Blues in 2022. Now it’s time for the Nations League with four matches in June (Denmark, Croatia twice and Austria), two more in September (Denmark, Austria) and especially the World Cup in Qatar, the draw of which takes place on Friday, from 6 p.m.
Mbappé’s new jewel
Absent Friday against Côte d’Ivoire because of an ENT problem, Kylian Mbappé was quick to resume his marks in blue. In the 22nd minute, the French star scored a splendid goal with a shot in the top corner. And the PSG player did it again from the penalty spot (76th). More broadly, Mbappé has scored (9 goals) in his last five games in the tricolor jersey. The last to do this was a certain Karim Benzema during the 2013/2014 season. True recognize true.
Giroud is only three lengths behind Henry
Those who thought that Olivier Giroud was in international retirement can go flog themselves. Recalled by Deschamps for the first time since the Euro in the absence of Benzema, the Milanese will once again have proven that the blue jersey suits him perfectly. Scorer on Friday against Côte d’Ivoire, Giroud did it again against the South Africans. His 47th and 48th goals in selection and Thierry Henry’s goal record which is only three lengths away: the week will have been perfect for the 35-year-old striker who has undoubtedly scored points for the World Cup. Out in the 65th minute, Giroud was replaced by Ben Yedder who scored the fourth French goal late in the game (81st). Just before Mattéo Guendouzi’s first goal in blue (90th + 1).
Clauss whistled but not destabilized
Funny evening for the Lensois player who lived his first tenure in the blue jersey on the lawn of Losc, the great regional rival of RC Lens. A rivalry that we could see from the stands where the whistles were numerous as soon as Clauss touched the ball at the start of the match. Fortunately, another part of the public had the good idea to cheer for each ball touched to counterbalance. In the end, the whistles faded and above all Clauss played a very good game in a role of right piston that he knows by heart. Released at the very end of the match, Clauss even ended up being given a standing ovation. No offense to some Lille supporters, the 29-year-old could well return to the Blues very quickly.
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