PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-2 Chile: Kolo-Muani and Hernandez shine as Les Bleus return to winning ways
France were hoping to get back to winning ways as they resumed their pre-tournament preparations against Chile in their final match of the March international break. Les Bleus’ progress was stunted last time out following a shock 2-0 defeat to Germany.
Like against Germany, Chile stunned France with a goal in the opening stages of the game. In the first 6 minutes, Marcelino Núñez was the benefactor from a cutback and his well-exectuted finish into the bottom corner evaded Mike Maignan between the France posts. Another shaky start from Les Bleus.
The goal was the first of two early blows for France, with Jonathan Clauss forced off the field early due to injury. He was replaced by Jules Kounde. Despite a difficult opening ten minutes for Deschamps’ team, Fofana soon improved their fortunes. After a simple pass from Mbappé, the Monaco midfielder did brilliantly to shift and get his shot away from distance to restore parity in the match.
Mbappé then had the chance to give Les Bleus the lead after some brilliant build-up play with Olivier Giroud heavily involved. However, the France captain could not direct his effort on target from close range following a good cross from Théo Hernández. Following another terrific cross from Hernández, Kolo-Muani then gave France the lead. The PSG attacker rose brilliantly to evade his marker and head home into the bottom corner.
Saliba should have doubled France’s lead with a free header from a corner but headed well over the bar from 6 yards. Jonathan Clauss wasn’t the injury casualty in the first half for Les Bleus with Eduardo Camavinga also forced off. The Real Madrid midfielder was replaced by Matteo Guendouzi. This would be the last development of the first half with Les Bleus leading
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