From Mike Maignan to Randal Kolo Muani, a look back at the performances of the players of the France team, who corrected the Netherlands on Friday (4-0).
For its big back to school, three months after the lost final of the 2022 World Cup, the French team feasted. The Blues easily dominated the Netherlands at the start of their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 (4-0), Friday March 24, at the Stade de France. During a successful evening on all fronts, Kylian Mbappé scored his first game as captain in the best possible way with a brace and an assist. Only Kingsley Coman seemed a tone below his teammates, without completely missing out on his encounter.
Mike Maignan: 7/10
A clean sheet thanks to a penalty saved at the end of an immaculate evening. The AC Milan goalkeeper could not have dreamed of a better start to his era in goal for the France team.
Jules Kounde: 5.5/10
A performance without major error or brilliance. The Barcelonan is settling into this right-back position slowly, but surely.
Ibrahima Konate: 7/10
We knew the Liverpool defender very comfortable in duels, he applied himself on Friday to gain meters for his team, carrying the ball or looking for passes forward. Not far from being rewarded with a goal, but his header was taken out by Cillessen (36th).
Dayot Upamecano: 6/10
On the one hand, a performance from the boss to destroy the meager Dutch hopes and a snatch goal to offer the break to his team at the start of the match (8th). On the other, a few recovery errors and a penalty conceded because of a hand at the very end of the match, but still without consequence.
Theo Hernández: 7/10
The Milanese rocket still swallowed kilometers on its left side. Each time he opted for one-touch combinations, he tormented the Dutch rearguard. Good work also on the defensive phases.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 7/10
A lot of activity in the midfield, with projections and defensive interventions. We felt his desire to take advantage of the international break to regain confidence after a few complicated months at Real Madrid, where he is not considered an indisputable starter. Replaced by Eduardo Camavinga (76th).
Adrian Rabiot: 6/10
As conquering as during the World Cup, he played each of his duels without holding back his shots. In this very successful collective performance, he was not the most visible and it is a good sign for the French team, which has become accustomed to relying on him in difficult times in Qatar. Replaced by Khephren Thuramwho celebrated his first selection (89th).
Antoine Griezmann: 7/10
A pleasure to find him in the heart of the game and to see him invest so much in defensive tasks. The vice-captain quickly stood out by opening the scoring, with an uncontrolled strike in the race (2nd), then taking the free kick which led to the 2-0 six minutes later. Replaced by Youssouf Fofana (76th).
Kingsley Coman: 4.5/10
He had a chance to score points in the absence of Ousmane Dembélé and did not take it. With the exception of a rush against the left side, which he ended with an offering (not concluded) by Kolo Muani (59th), the winger was too legible for the opposing defense. Always this very disappointing contrast with what he shows in club, under the colors of Bayern Munich, and a 21st game in a row without being decisive in the France team. Replaced first, by Moussa Diaby (67th).
Kylian Mbappe: 8.5/10
One minute and 55 seconds was the time it took him to be decisive for the first time since his induction as captain of the France team, thanks to an assist for Griezmann. Then two goals, one to kill the match after only 20 minutes of play, and the other at the very end of the match to close the parenthesis with crazy confidence, after two insolent feints (88th). An ideal start to his reign.
Randal Kolo Muani: 6/10
As agile as football breathes, the revelation of the World Cup final was true to itself. We will remember his subtle body feint on the 3-0, transforming Aurélien Tchouameni’s innocuous pass into an offering for Kylian Mbappé, without having to touch the ball (21st). But he was quite rough in the second act, like his volley off target (59th). Replaced by Olivier Giroud (76th).