Thanks to Benzema and Mbappé, the Blues end 2021 with a smile

All’s well that ends well for the France team. By winning in Helsinki (0-2), the Blues confirmed their return to form seen last month in the League of Nations. Unbeaten in 2021 – the elimination against Switzerland in the round of 16 of the Euro does not count as a defeat – Didier Deschamps’ men, long boring and without idea in Finland, owed their salvation to Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé, monstrous for several weeks. It goes without saying but it’s better to say it, this selection does not have the same face with these two on the lawn. Everything is simpler, more fluid and above all beautiful to see. An explosive cocktail that also makes you want to meet in 2022 with the World Cup in Qatar in sight.

Read alsoMbappé’s jewel, Benzema’s inspiration … Finland-France goals on video

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Compared to Saturday’s festival and a mess of goals, the refreshing champagne from the Parc des Princes had turned to hot sparkling wine on the Helsinki side for just under an hour. In the first half, it was even a deep boredom in the freezing cold of the Finnish capital with, to put in the tooth, a shot on target on each side… Far too light to treat the audience with the Blues much less punchy and boosted than in the face of Kazakhstan, like the anesthetized sides and never able to take, failing that, the much less naive defense of the “Huuhkajat” (eagle owls, the nickname of the Finns).

Read alsoMbappé’s jewel, Benzema’s inspiration … Finland-France goals on video

A first act of deep boredom

Without participating in the final outing of the world champions in 2021, Théo Hernandez and Kingsley Coman, attractive and impactful on Saturday, scored points both for the performances of Léo Dubois (released on injury and replaced by Benjamin Pavard at the start of the second act) and Lucas Digne appeared tasteless. Another match, another context and another adversity, of course, but not enough as argument (s) despite everything to explain such. Apart from some flashes of Kylian Mbappé (25^e, 29^e), watched as never after his quadruple, the French offensive game did not exist, sorely lacking in speed, movement and risk-taking.

The entries of Benzema and Coman woke the Blues

Aware of the purring of his troops and a game far too disappointing, Didier Deschamps did not take long to try to reverse the situation. It must be said that with elements like Karim Benzema and Kingsley Coman on the sidelines, so much ammunition can give ideas. Came into play from the 56^e minute of play, instead of Moussa Diaby and Jules Koundé, the two men immediately changed the face of the Blues and posed a constant threat in the opposing defense. Especially the Madrilenian, resplendent since October in the French jersey and once again decisive with a goal full of coolness following a delicious relay from Mbappé in the area (0-1, 66^e).

Mbappé offers himself a jewel

For his 94^e selection, the candidate for the Ballon d’Or (9 goals since his return last June in 13 matches) put oil in the game of world champions and from his entry, the Parisian was also more in sight. As enhanced by his partner. To the point of registering a new sumptuous goal (0-2, 76^e) to kill all suspense and afford a 5^e completion in four days. Simply colossal. With this duo, completed by Antoine Griezmann released a few minutes earlier, this French team does not have the same animation, the same face and above all the same ambitions. Over recent releases, something strong is being created with this fire attack. Certainly. And for the greatest pleasure of Didier Deschamps.

«If I take away the 10 minutes of the Euro, we have responded this year, with a real state of mind and a beautiful mentality, it is up to us to maintain this before the end of the World Cup», Plant the breeder, happy. Unbeaten in 2021, despite his hitch of the Euro, the world champions have found color, their conquering state of mind and can now glimpse next year the bulging torso, ambitions slung over the shoulder. Roll on 2022.