PLAYER RATINGS | Gibraltar 0-3 France: Kylian Mbappé scores penalty in tepid display | OneFootball

France took another step towards qualifying for Euro 2024 with a win over Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal, on Friday night. Didier Deschamps gave Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba and Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana their first international caps.

As expected, the 2022 World Cup runners-up dominated proceedings against the nation currently in 201st place in the FIFA rankings. Les Bleus wasted no time with Kingsley Coman beating his man before laying an inch-perfect cross for Olivier Giroud to head home his 54th France goal in the third minute.

With Gibraltar sitting deep and successfully fending off humiliation, France resorted to long-range passing and crossing to create danger. Some complacency in their oppponents’ penalty box prevented Les Bleus from putting the game to bed. Aurélien Tchouaméni went close to doubling France’s lead by heading onto the crossbar. As is often the case in June after an exhausting season, France were operating at sub-par level. Kylian Mbappé’s blushes after a poor first half were saved by dispatching a confident penalty just before half-time.

France did not really go up a gear in the second half. Antoine Griezmann struck the post and Mbappé forced a good save from Dayle Coleing to thwart his shot at the first post. Still, Les Bleus kept struggling to break down the minnows, despite averaging more than 80% ball possession. The introductions of Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani did not change much, with Deschamps making his anger heard. France eventually went 3-0 up with Aymen Mouelhi finding his own net following a low cross for Mbappé.

France duly secured their third win out of a possible three to tighten their grip at the top of Group B of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Les Bleus are expected to have a harder time against Greece on Monday at the Stade de France.

France player ratings

Brice Samba, 5 – The former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper could hardly have hoped for a quieter outing for his first international cap. Had a big scare when Ayoub El Mhidi almost chipped him from midfield, but then had virtually nothing to do in the second half.

Benjamin Pavard, 4 – Favoured over Jules Koundé to shoulder the right-back role he does not really like, the Bayern Munich man showed very little against a weak opposition. Could have been booked, if not more, for a chest-high clumsy tackle on El Mhidi.

Ibrahima Konaté, 6

Wesley Fofana, 5 – Had a bit of a moment in misfiring a clearance in his own box and not looking particularly at ease at first. Improved as the game went on. Deschamps may need to see him feature against a better team than Gibraltar.

Théo Hernandez, 5

Aurélien Tchouaméni, 5

Eduardo Camavinga, 7 – An assured performance from the Real Madrid man, dictating play with pace, vision, awareness and his extraordinary range of passing. An absolute gem of a midfielder, confidently filling the void created by Paul Pogba’s absence.

Antoine Griezmann, 5

Kingsley Coman, 6 – Registered his first assist for Les Bleus since November 2021 by sending an excellent right-footed cross for Giroud’s opener. His dribbling ability proved a real issue for Gibraltar.

Kylian Mbappé, 5 – The free-scoring forward dropped deeper than usual, not displaying his trademark outbursts of lightning pace, loosing numerous balls in the process (17 in the first half alone). Still got himself in the scoresheet with a penalty. Just like during his press conference, that was mostly about his future at PSG, he appeared jittery and frustrated.

Olivier Giroud, 6 – Opened the scoring at the first time of asking to extend his lead as France’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Milan man could also have had at least one or two more. Job done.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval