France vs USA: Pre-World Cup Friendly live scores, blog

Full Time France have finished their world cup preparations with a somewhat underwhelming 1-all draw against an inspired and youthful team USA. Zack Steffen has cemented his spot in US folklore with a performance that could keep him in the USA number 1 role for years to come, as his last minute saves gave the USA a momentous result in France. France had the better of their match in Lyon, finishing with upwards of 20 shots on goal. With the likes of Antoinne Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and N'golo Kante all firing in the middle, and a front strike duo of Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe, France were expected to not only score against a re-building and experimental team USA, but score often. France had the better of possession, territory, and shots, but could not make the most of their efforts. Still, Les bleus continues to press. However, a late first half strike to the US sent a shiver through the French team, as they spent the rest of the game chasing a result. Julian Green poached a loose ball in the area that France could not clear efficiently, and when he struck the ball through French defensive legs and past Hugo Lloris at his near post, through the smallest of gaps, the USA went into the break with a lead off just a single shot, and serving plenty of food for thought for a frustrated looking Didier Deschamps. French came out strong again in the second half, with Pogba in particular warming to proceedings. A head clash to Giroud, which drew a significant amount of blood, saw him finish the game bandaged up, and Deschamps made several changes through Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Nabil Fekir, Corentin Tolisso, Ousmane Dembele, and Thomas Lemar, all players who were eager to impress. Kylian Mbappe scored late for the home side, and while the French chased the winner, late saves by USA keeper Steffen would ultimately deny the French a morale boosting win going into their first game against Australian next weekend. Giroud's head injury will also cause head coach Deschamps some concerns, amongst the bigger concern being a star-studded line up and strike force that produced a single goal against an inexperienced international team. While the story was supposed to be about the home farewell to the French, it is all about the babes of the US, and a bright future for their international team. France will need to lift fo the world cup, with particular focus being finishing chances, and tightening up a defence that was breached with only a minimal amount of pressure. France: 1 USA: 1

94' - Double save by Steffen at the end, a longe range pile driver saved by the keeper, while the follow up shot is cleared. USA have survived. Ref blows the whistle. Post match report to come. But what a game, and what a result.

92' - Great reaction save from Steffen, after a Dembele cross takes a deflection that almost goes in the net.

91' - Stoppage time. Not sure how much we will have though because of that Giroud injury. 4 minutes for the USA to hold on apparently. Lemar flashes across the face. I think that was a shot.

SUB: Mbappe off, Lemar on. Good hitout tonight for the PSG based player.

87' - One aspect of the USA play that has impressed is the calm at the back. Chesting the ball to the keeper amidst a French wave of attack shows maturity. Very nice.

84' - CHANCE USA! They break from a throw in, and shoot across the face, though the ball almost goes out for a throw in. But France seem to be a bit lazy at times at the back. Australia will be aware of that, no doubt.

82' - The game has sparked in a big way now. USA make yet another subsitution.

79' - And a yellow for the USA from the kick off. Another foul, and France are again with a chance to take the lead. Football truly is a 90 minute game. The change can come so quickly.

Goal 78' - And Mbappe finally gets the goal. Lovely build up through Fekir. He crosses, and Mbappe finishes. Crowd are going wild now.

77' - USA still with that single shot on goal. Remarkable. USA also getting tougher in the middle, not afraid to concede a few fouls. Holding out at the back. It's an incredible performance thus far. France come again through Hernandez. He's been good since coming on. Great comment there that the USA here are exactly what Australia will produce in game one of the world cup against the French. I agree.

74' - Both teams making one or two changes here. Pogba's free hit the wall, Hernandez followed up with a shot just to the left. France running out of time to save face here.

72' - We head to the last 20 minutes. Pogba is challenge outside the area on the prowl. This will be a nice chance for the French within range.

Yellow Card 68' - First card goes to the USA. Hernandez, a recent French sub, is causing some troubles on the left. Mbappe curls in a free - OH IT IS JUST WIDE. The curl was real, and it just sniffs the right post, in from the left. SUB: Griezmann off, Fekir on. Fekir has been very busy in the press today. No move to Liverpool it appears.

67' - So it's all very frantic stuff here at the moment. France are pressing, but looking disjointed in the attacking zone. Dembele is trying, the ball is coming to Pogba's feet, who has certainly lifted in the second half. A couple of shots, one save, it's just not clicking for France. Australia should be taking some heart from all this.

64' - USA with their third stat for the night, a second corner. France clear, but it was a nice corner. Goal kick though.

61' - France firing up here, but the USA defence holds strong and blocks at will.

58' - Both players are up and about. Giroud with a big head bandage, not sure he'll continue. SUB: Toliso on, Matuidi off. SUB: Dembele on, Giroud off.

56' - Head clash. Giroud is down, the USA player is bleeding. Actually, both players are bleeding. Keeper might have got contact to Giroud's head as well.