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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 Antoine 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 continued 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 of 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, among the bigger concern being a star-studded lineup 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 for the World Cup, with particular focus being finishing chances, and tightening up a defence that was breached with only a minimal amount of pressure.
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