After a defeat against Denmark and a draw against Croatia, the French team again shared the points, Friday June 10, during the 3rd day of the group stage of the League of Nations in Austria (1- 1, League A, group 1). The entry into play of Kylian Mbappé was saving.
Winners of the last edition of the League of Nations, the players of the France team are stalling after three matches in this vintage 2022-2023. In Group 1 of League A, only first place qualifies for the semi-finals (scheduled in a year). And after three days, the Habs vegetate in fourth and last place. There is not yet fire in the blue house, at least at the accounting level, but these meetings at the end of spring are proving complicated
Tamed at home by Denmark during the first day on June 3 (2-1), forced to draw in Croatia during the second day on June 6 (1-1), the Blues could not do better than another 1-1 this Friday, June 10 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Austria’s lair in Vienna.
Weimann freezes the Blues
For this meeting, the coach Didier Deschamps had decided to change his system and his eleven: a team in 4-3-3 with a central hinge composed of William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté, who thus experienced his first international cap, as well than Boubacar Kamara in midfield. Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Koundé, Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappé, back after his injury against the Danes, took their place on the substitutes’ bench at kick-off.
Accompanied by Antoine Griezmann in attack, Karim Benzema was the first to shine. In the 18th minute, goalkeeper Patrick Pentz repelled a free kick from Antoine Griezmann right on “KB9”. The Madrilenian immediately placed a header, but he came up against a nice parade from a reactive Pentz.
The balance between the two teams in this first period tipped as the break approached. The Austrians recovered the ball in midfield, Konrad Laimer was well shifted in the box and sent an impeccable cross for Andreas Weimann, alone and lethal five meters from the goal line (37th). Karim Benzema, just before returning to the locker room, again came up against Patrick Pentz (43rd).
With Mbappé, it’s easier
In the second half, the French team took control of the game. From a distance, Benjamin Pavard tried his luck and allowed the goalkeeper Pentz to shine again brilliantly (55th). In the aftermath, Kingsley Coman opened his way to the goal after a hook but took his shot too far (56th). Then came the 63rd minute, when coach Deschamps decided to launch Matteo Guendouzi in place of Aurélien Tchouaméni, and especially Kylian Mbappé in place of Antoine Griezmann in the hard.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker, well recovered, breathed new life into the tricolor attack. And it was from him that his team’s salvation came. Well launched in depth by Christopher Nkunku, Kylian Mbappé rushed towards the goal and lodged his powerful shot with the left foot in the Austrian skylight (83rd). Very effective, the Parisian scored his 27th international goal.
The 28th almost followed, but Patrick Pentz miraculously deflected the Frenchman’s new shot on the crossbar (87th). The last thrusts shook the Austrian eleven, but their goalkeeper remained very solid on his line. With two points in three matches, the France team is fourth and last in Group 1, behind Denmark (6 points), Austria (4 points) and Croatia (4 points). To keep all their chances of playing the qualification until the end, the Blues would be advised to win against the Croats, Monday June 13 at the Stade de France.