France advance to quarterfinal

The French have only scored three goals so far: a penalty and one or perhaps two scored for them by opponents. And yet there they are in the quarterfinal, and the kind of players they have, none can write them off from winning the title. 

It took nine minutes for Antoine Griezmann to take the first shot and by half-time, the totals read 9-1 but that opening effort was weak and what followed wasn’t much better. 

Occasionally, there would be a neat exchange, a dash beyond the marker, and there were a couple of headers at the near post from Marcus Thuram. 

Aurelien Tchouaméni fired over and Kylian Mbappé bundled through on the left. But it was all a bit slow and uninspiring. 

The Red Devils did run: Jérémy Doku and Yannick Carrasco leading the way. 

There was also a lovely sharp turn into the area by Loïs Openda which left Carrasco with a chance from which he might have done better. 

From one of those Jeremy Doku runs, they won a free-kick from which Kevin de Bruyne curled in a shot that, hidden by the bodies standing before him, almost caught out Mike Maignan. 

After the break - France increased the speed with which they moved the ball, a touch more insistence for them. 

Mbappé and N’Golo Kante set up Tchouameni who, side-footed, curled towards the bottom corner, drawing the first notable save from Casteels. 

That was followed by another Thuram header over before he was removed. And then Mbappé dashed inside and shot over; a moment later, Griezmann and Koundé made another opening for him - it was sliced wide.

It took until their 66th shot and the 84th minute and 36th second of their fourth game but France at last scored a goal from open play at these Euros.

But it wasn't! 

The strike by Randal Kolo Muani took a deflection of Jan Vertonghen and it was an own goal! 

William Saliba was the player for France on the pitch who did not lose possession a single time in the first half. France have conceded no goals from open play with William Saliba on the pitch in major tournaments in 387 minutes. 

Meanwhile, Jules Kounde covered 10.65 kilometres, recovered the ball 7 times with one tackle, created 5 chances with one big opportunity, won the duel 5 times and dispossessed none. 

Nothing to say about Kante, who has now played more European Championship games without losing than any player in the competition’s history, breaking Xavi’s record. 

With a passing accuracy of 95% Kante completed 100% dribbles, won 4 duels and 2 tackles and produced two key passes. 

But France would need the frontline to display conviction.

Note;: Excerpts from The Guardian

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar