A victory that feels good. Failing to be frankly reassuring. Three days after the crushing defeat conceded against Germany, the French team returned to success by winning against Chile in Marseille (3-2). Didier Deschamps’ men provided the essentials, without really putting any effort into it.
Nine changes, but another failed start. Despite the clear squad review carried out by Didier Deschamps in his starting eleven, the Blues still got off to a bad start. Like a sense of deja vu. And like the Mannschaft on Saturday, Chile knew how to exploit and punish the delay in starting the Blues. Nunez, at the heart of an apathetic defense, left Maignan no chance, in a Vélodrome far from being full and boiling (0-1, 6th). Still trailing from the start, the Blues took a good quarter of an hour to get into their match. A start nevertheless paying off. Quickly.
Fofana’s successful equalizer, on a deflected shot, completely revived the French troops (1-1, 19th). Highly visible in the midfield, the Monegasque clearly scored points this Tuesday. Just like Kolo Muani. Lined up in the right lane, the PSG player gained momentum on his side, his accelerations hurt Suazo and the La Roja defense. And his headed goal, receiving a perfect cross from Hernandez, allowed the Blues to return to the locker room with the advantage (2-1, 25th).
With Tchouaméni, he was the other survivor of the starting eleven swept away by Germany. Once is not customary, Mbappé chained two insufficient performances. Whistled by the Vélodrome, five days before the OM-PSG clash in Ligue 1, the captain of the Blues shone with his discretion. Never in the right tempo, and incapable of being dangerous. The Blues star wandered like a lost soul during the entire meeting, unlike the omnipresent Kolo Muani. And decisive again. The Parisian winger, inspired and confident, did an enormous job in his lane before offering caviar to Giroud (3-1, 73rd). The reduction in the gap signed by Osorio (3-2, 82nd) reignited the suspense of a lively end to the match, but ultimately well managed by the Blues relieved at the final whistle.
Winners by a short head, Didier Deschamps’ men ended this rally on a good note. But this friendly match, the last before the list for the Euro, left its mark. Clauss and Camavinga, both starters, had to leave their teammates prematurely due to injury. Very bad news, as the clubs prepare to begin their final sprint.