The final match of a draining campaign will have seen a visibly tired France side duly trudge their way to three points against Greece, on their return to the Stade de France. The match will have given more an indication of Didier Deschamps’ first-choice starting eleven moving forward – but not much else, with the difference ultimately being a solitary Mbappé penalty.
The hosts set off with an intensive, ten-minute attacking drive, in which they showed far more of an incisive edge than against Gibraltar. Their efforts were ultimately fruitless, though, with Kylian Mbappé’s crosses finding nobody and Mateu Lahoz setting the tone for the final match of his career by waving away a penalty claim for a foul on the France skipper.
From that initial flurry, the match would take on a more temperate tone, save for the occasional burst down the wing from either Mbappé or Kingsley Coman – the Gus Poyet-coached visitors, though, were unflinching in their defensive efforts. The Spanish referee would dismiss another four calls for fouls on the PSG forward in the penalty box before the end of the half.
Les Bleus would eventually be awarded a spot-kick at the start of the second half – a high boot from Mavropanos hitting Griezmann on the head and leaving the midfielder on the floor. Kylian Mbappé would convert from the spot at the second time of asking – the referee having ordered a retake after a Greece player had entered the box early on the first attempt, which was saved.
Mavropanos would be involved for the wrong reasons again ten minutes later, as a rapid counter-attack from the hosts saw Randal Kolo Muani played through on goal by Coman, only for the former Arsenal defender to bring him down before he could shoot.
Deschamps’ men, though, were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage, as they failed to finish off a litany of three and four-man forays forward. The fourteen minutes of added time would be a fitting end to a season that seemed to have overstayed its welcome, as neither side showed much desire to push on.
The win makes it 12 points from four games – all clean sheets – so far in France’s qualifying campaign for next summer’s Euros. The main takeaway from this week’s matches, though, will be the dire need for rest after an 11-month campaign – not least considering some of the internationals intend to play both at the tournament in Germany, and back home at the Olympics next year.
Mike Maignan, 6
Jules Koundé, 5
Ibrahima Konaté, 7 – As if it wasn’t already clear, the Liverpool man and Dayot Upamecano are the future of France’s defence. Imposing and unflinching, even with eleven men the visitors were unable to reach Mike Maignan’s goal.
Dayot Upamecano, 7
Théo Hernandez, 5
Aurélien Tchouameni, 6
Eduardo Camavinga, 6
Antoine Griezmann, 5
Kylian Mbappé, 6 – Breezed past the Greek defence with ease on several occasions in the first half, but was ultimately unable to find Kolo Muani. Scored the only goal of the match from the spot at the second time of asking, and was involved in most France attacks.
Randal Kolo Muani, 5
Kingsley Coman, 6
Others:
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin