France 2-1 Holland
Goals: Mbappe 14, Giroud 74 - Babel 67
France: Areola, Hernandez (Mendy 62), Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Matuidi, Pogba, Kante, Griezmann (Nzonzi 81), Giroud (Dembele 89), Mbappe
Trainer:
Holland: Cillessen, van Dijk, de Ligt, Tete (Janmaat 82), Wijnaldum, F.de Jong, Prepper, Promes (Wormer 76), Blind, Babel (L.de Jong 88), Depay
Trainer:
Warned: Griezmann 56, Pawar 80

France's first home game after their World Cup triumph had a lot to do with a party: a team as close as possible to Deschamps' World Cup bid, the Stade de France filled to capacity, and an opponent from the rage of those who are nice and easy to beat. The game turned out to be quite appropriate for the surroundings, fast, with a minimum amount of marriage, not without a twist.

Already in the very debut of the match, the rivals exchanged sharp moments. Mbappe, after Pogba's chic pass, ran into the penalty area, wound up his opponents, and Silessen had to put a lot of effort into repelling Kilian's shot into the near corner. The Dutch responded with an inaccurate blow from a vantage point. For a very long time long time this was the only dangerous episode at the gates of Areola.

The French, who captured the ball and the territory, did not reduce the pressure throughout the first half (69.5% of possession). The imperial midfield link between Pogba and Kante and the telepathic interaction between Griezmann and Mbappe gave the impression that this gang had not parted since that memorable match in July.

The goal was only a matter of time, although in many respects it was the result of chance. Promes inaccurately dropped the ball into the defensive line, making a key pass to Matuidi, who was delayed behind the offside line. Giroud did not reach Blaise's cross, but no one bothered Mbappe to shoot the empty corner of the goal. Killian's sixth goal in his last nine matches for France...

If we were not familiar with the habits of Deschamps, we could expect the start of the festival in the performance of the "tricolors". Not his style! The French rolled the ball, patiently waiting for the opponent's mistakes until the middle of the second half. A sort of Tour de France on the football field: the peleton moves steadily along the highway, then picking up, then slowing down, and everyone knows that the most interesting, perhaps, will happen at the finish line.

Indeed, the Dutch managed to find a crack in the defensive block of the owners, when they loosened their grip a little, lulled by their own superiority and the helplessness of the “orange”. Several unattractive attacks for Areola did not become a warning for the defense, and now Tete's flank breakthrough ended with an accurate cross at Babel - 1:1.

There are a lot of teams that would be unsettled by such an event, but Deschamps' France is not one of them. This time, Le Bleu became a lifesaver, a forward who was the main one at the World Cup and who did not score a single goal there! The Chelsea striker broke a clean streak since May with a beautiful one-timer after the Mendy cross, giving France victory and the lead in Division A Group 1. Giroud can be criticized further, while he, meanwhile, has only 2 goals to go. David Trezeguet (34) and third on the list best snipers national team. Zidane left behind.

All in all, Le Bleu, having extended their unbeaten streak to 13 matches, are showing great momentum to turn the greatest page in their history and start writing a new one. Holland, having flown past the last two major forums, is just beginning to grow muscles, and so far the outlines of what Koeman is building are not too clear. There is potential based on youth, but coaching staff You won't envy Ronald - the continuity of generations, which serves as a good help in such a matter, is not about the current "orange".

The French entered the field in the usual strongest composition. Giroud, Mbappe and Griezmann played in front. In the center of the field, as usual, acted Pogba and Kante. Didier Deschamps opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ronald Koeman also released on the field all the strongest players to date. Memphis Depay played at the forefront of the attack, and Babel and Promes helped him. middle line consisted of the following players: Proper, De Jong and Wijnaldum.

But now let's start the analysis of the duel itself, the beginning of which was calm and more than cautious in the performance of the opponents. As we have become accustomed to, France again had a lot of possession of the ball, not trying to seriously threaten the opponent's goal. But it didn't last long, until the 15th minute, when Cillian Mbappe opened the scoring. The young star of "Le Bleu" responded to the transfer of Blaise Matuidi, ferrying the ball into the net gate Jasper Cilissen.

After scoring the “tricolor” were not going to slow down. Wards Deschamps continued to own the initiative. In the 20th minute, after the transfer of Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez could score, but his shot lacked accuracy, although the position was not bad.

The second part of the 1st half took place mainly in the half of the "orange" field. But the reigning world champions failed to squeeze the maximum out of their advantage - the Dutch defended reliably.

A few minutes before heading for the break, Pogba succeeded in a good pass, to which Olivier Giroud responded. Chelsea striker Jasper Cilissen dealt with the blow without much difficulty. Almost immediately after this episode, the players of both national teams went on a well-deserved rest.

After the French and the Dutch entered the 2nd half, it seemed that there was no break - the hosts continued to hold the ball and wait for the opponent to make a mistake. But what is characteristic of the French, when they lead in the account, is to relax a little. That's what happened this time as well. The Netherlands team took advantage of this gift. Already in the 67th minute, Ryan Babel makes the score 1:1. The author of the assist was left-back Kenny Tete.

The scored goal had a positive effect on the game of Koeman's wards. It was striking that they managed to find their football. As a result, the guests almost again scored the ball into Areola's goal. But still, "Le Bleu" managed to cope with serious pressure and not miss.

Toward the end of the meeting, France again began to act as the first number. 73rd minute - a great counter-attack "tricolor", which bogged down due to a bad pass from Mbappe. But the hosts still continued to escalate, and still scored. After a great pass from Mendy, Olivier Giroud got ahead of the defense and hammered the ball into the net - 2:1. For him, this goal was the 32nd in the national team shirt, and allowed him to bypass Zidane in the list of scorers.

(Wijnaldum, 44. Depay, 90+6, from the penalty spot)

When the compositions of the groups became known, the Oranges, who were going through one of the most difficult periods in their history, were predicted a resounding failure and a fall into the second division. Nevertheless, the Dutch changed their minds, believed in themselves and did not look like an outsider before the Friday game. Moreover, they hosted the world champions in Rotterdam, where they won fourteen victories in a row.

About the magic of the arena, well known to Koeman, I remembered already during the first attack, when the three-colored rescued, who managed to repel the lethal blow. The French, however, attacked no less sharply in the first half, and once reminded everyone who scored the most beautiful goal World Cup 2018. True, it was not easy for him to hit the target, while an unsuccessful cut turned out to be fatal for the guests. The ball flew over, and if Lloris, who painted his head red, stopped the attack, then the second attempt by Vaynaldum was successful.

Division C

Saving penalty Dimitrov

(Zahariou, 24 - Dimitrov, 89, from the penalty spot)
(Verbic, 9 - Johnsen, 85)

The correspondence dispute between the Bulgarians and the Norwegians continued according to an unexpected scenario. The two favorites were simultaneously inferior to those who are fighting for survival, but achieved draws. The Scandinavians retained their first place with an equal number of points, but they have a more complicated calendar. A trip ahead

The French national team in the second round of the UEFA Nations League hosted the team of the Netherlands at home. The match ended with a rather difficult victory for the host team with a score of 2:1.

Team starting lineups

France played this duel according to the scheme 4-2-3-1. Giroud acted at the tip of the attack, Griezmann played under him from the depths, and Matuidi and Mbappe dispersed at the edges of the attack. In the support zone, Kante and Pogba acted, and in defense along the edges, Lucas and Pavard, and in the center - Umtiti and Varan.

As for the guests, they played according to the 3-4-3 scheme. The trio of attacking players are Promes, Depay and Wijnaldum. In midfield, Tete and Babel played on the edges, Propper and De Jong played in the center. And keep the defense De Light, Van Dijk and Blind.

Goals and highlights

1 half

At the start of the match, the teams played quite cautiously. France, as the host, controlled the ball, but did not create much sharpness at the opponent's goal. Until the 15th minute, when Mbappe opened the scoring by substituting his foot in the penalty area for Matuidi's cross.

In the 20th minute, Griezmann gave a cool pass, however, Lucas' shot in years turned out to be too inaccurate, although the position was promising.

Until the end of the first half, the game was dictated by France, which in moments the whole team went to the opponent's half of the field, but it did not reach the last blow. The Dutch fought back, sometimes went on the counterattack, but they did not carry much danger.

In the 42nd minute, Pogba made a good cross, tried to head-punch Giroud, but he failed to surprise the goalkeeper. The referee's whistle, sending the teams to the break, recorded the advantage of the French both in the score - 1:0 - and in the game.

2nd half

The second half at the start went according to the scenario of the first - France had the advantage. But the hosts began to relax a little and the guests got the opportunity to punish them. In the 66th minute, Wijnaldum could score from a lethal position, but missed the target a little. A minute later the scoreboard was already 1:1. Babel in the center of the penalty area received the ball after a cross from Tete, after which he hit the goalkeeper.

On courage, Holland tried to put the squeeze on the opponent, but the French were able to wait out this moment. In the 73rd minute, the French ran away in a cool 3 v 2 counterattack, which ended in an inaccurate pass by Mbappe. And on the 75th Giroud brought his team forward. Mendy performed a cross into the penalty area, where Olivier played ahead and drove the ball into the net.

Despite this, Holland continued to attack, and France began to play more openly from defense. At the same time, the French did not forget about the attacks. In the 78th minute, Mbappe ran one on one against Van Dijk, but at the last moment he was prevented from breaking through by a defender.

Holland really wanted to score, but they couldn't do it. At the end of almost the entire team, the guests went on the assault, but they could not score the desired goal. The final score of the match is 2:1. France tops the group 1 table with 4 points, while the Dutch have 0 points so far.

The result of the match France - Holland (2:1)

1:0 - Mbappe - 14′

1:1 - Babel - 67′

2:1 - Giroud - 75′

Match statistics

Possession Percentage: 53 - 47

Beats: 14 - 6

Shots on target: 8 - 1

Corner: 4 - 2

Yellow cards: 2 - 0