PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-2 Chile: Kolo-Muani and Hernandez shine as Les Bleus return to winning ways | OneFootball

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 at the break.

Toulouse’s Gabriel Suazo found Eduardo Vargas with a great delivery to almost level the game for Chile. The 34-year-old escaped in behind Saliba for a free header but could only find Maignan’s near post and not the back of the net. Another brilliant delivery from Hernández, this time from a set piece, almost found Giroud at the back post but his club and international teammate could not turn the ball home.

It would be Giroud who would award Les Bleus a two-goal advantage. After some brilliant work from Kolo-Muani out wide to evade several Chile defenders and get to the byline, the PSG forward picked out the onrushing Giroud who lashed the ball home. With France seemingly cruising and controlling the game to the final whistle, Chile had other plans. Darío Osorio hit a wonderful effort beyond Maignan to reduce Les Bleus’ lead. This goal would prove indecisive with France holding out until full-time to return to winning ways.

France Player Ratings:

Mike Maignan – 5

Jonathan Clauss – N/A

William Saliba – 6, Deschamps offered the Arsenal man a rare opportunity to start for France in which he looked solid. The Arsenal man was rarely challenged at the back. However, he arguably should have strengthened Les Bleus’ lead in the first half with an uncontested header from close range.

Ibrahima Konaté – 6

Théo Hernández – 7, Creatively, the Milan full-back was France’s best outlet throughout the night with some excellent deliveries into the box from the left flank. His perfectly executed cross for Kolo-Muani’s goal was a testament to the quality of his delivery throughout the night.

Youssouf Fofana – 7

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6

Eduardo Camavinga – 5

Randal Kolo Muani – 8, Kolo-Muani was hugely influential on the night with a decisive goal and assist to win the match for France. With excellent awareness on the right flank to be able to offer support as a wide attacker but also offering the predatory instinct to be a problem in the penalty area, the PSG man has given Deschamps a selection headache ahead of  EURO 2024.

Olivier Giroud – 7

Kylian Mbappé – 6, The France captain had a quiet game by his usual standards but still managed to influence the game. His simple pass to assist Fofana in scoring France’s first goal made it the 27th assist of his Les Bleus career.

GFFN | Liam Wraith