When they start on time, it’s much better. The French team got rid of a team from the Netherlands (4-0) in twenty-one minutes, the time of a show Griezmann-Mbappé or Mbappé-Griezmann, we don’t want trouble with anyone . While the week dedicated the Parisian – promoted captain – and disappointed the Madrid native – “simply” vice-captain -, the associated artists did not wait for dusk, as in Doha three months earlier, to wrap up this return to the class.
Thanks to a decisive pass from the striker, the torchbearer scored a magnificent goal in which Randal Kolo Muani had participated in the relay (2nd) before the dean of the field men showed his faculties for a winning free kick taken at close range by Dayot Upamecano (8th), luckily hitting the ball returned by the goalkeeper between his legs.
Mbappé’s recital
The PSG star will conclude the recital after a brilliant vertical call to take the ball from Aurélien Tchouaméni and an equally fabulous screen from the center forward of Frankfurt (21st). He will offer himself a personal triumph with a double at the end of the game on a staggering feint and strike.
With this thundering 4-0, facing a selection with sterile possession, the Blues offer themselves more than three points in the race for Euro 2024. They validate the thesis that the World Cup final was a start and not an end, like a call board to a better world, the one they still want to conquer.
As if they were already giving a rendezvous to European football by pulverizing without forcing a major opponent from the Continent. In fact, their talent is greater than the fears of a more or less long reconstruction. With as much brio, the leap into the unknown is cushioned by golden parachutes.
And if they were stronger than at the World Cup?
A fiery attack, transfigured by the possibilities offered by Kolo Muani in a totally different register from Olivier Giroud (entered in the 77th and ovation by the Stade de France) – the neoBleu participates much more in the game and with an intelligence that seduces — and while it takes on a new depth with each selection; a solid defense and a medium where Griezmann shines. The Mâconnais had a one-on-one discussion with the coach since the captaincy was handed over to Mbappé on Monday and assured him of his desire to continue the adventure with the Blues, armband around his arm or not.
The idea now is to continue for everyone. From Monday March 27 in Dublin against Ireland which will not be able to win against all the teams of France. But more generally, until Euro 2024 keeping this state of mind intact, which resembled that of Qatar, with a form of panache in addition. As if the switch to an even more attacking team was definitively accepted by the boss of the Blues, adapting to the qualities of his players and the first of them, Kylian Mbappé. And finally, Mike Maignan twice stopped a penalty in stoppage time, in an insolent desire to show what the Blues had won with him. And if they were basically stronger than at the World Cup? This is not the debate that we expected to settle so soon after Qatar.
Match sheet
Half-time: 3-0.
Spectators: 77 328.
Referee: M. Mariani (Ita).
Buts : Griezmann (2nd), Upamecano (8th), Mbappé (21st, 88th).
Warnings. France: Rabiot (45th), Konaté (71st), T. Hernandez (90th), Upamecano (90 + 4); Netherlands: Geertruida (65th), Blind (79th).
France : Maignan – Kounde, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Tchouameni (Camavinga, 76th) – Griezmann (Fofana, 77th) – Rabiot (K. Thuram, 89th), Coman (Diaby, 67th), Mbappé (cap.), Kolo Muani (Giroud, 77th). Entr. : Didier Deschamps.
The Netherlands : Cillessen – Geertruida (Malacia, 87th), Timber, van Dijk (cap.), Aké – De Roon (Blind, 67th) – Wijnaldum, Taylor (Weghorst, 33rd) – Berghuis (Malen, 68th), Depay, Simons (Klaassen, 68th). Entr. : Ronald Koeman.
