Olivier Giroud secures victory for France against Uruguay, Scotland clinch Nations League promotion
Re-live the action from the Stade de France
Olivier Giroud scored from the penalty spot for France as the world champion beat Uruguay 1-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday to conclude an exceptional year with a rather mundane display.
The French bounced back from a 2-0 loss at the Netherlands that cost them a spot in the Nations League finals but failed to impress in front of their home crowd ahead of a four-month pause before the next international break in March. The win was also marred by teenage forward Kylian Mbappe having to leave the game with a shoulder injury.
Coach Didier Deschamps, who led France to a second World Cup title this summer in Russia, had made changes at the back following the loss in Rotterdam, with Adil Rami starting at the heart of the defense alongside the returning Mamadou Sakho, who played his first international in more than two years.
Ferland Mendy won his first cap at left-back and midfielder Tanguy Ndombele started in place of Steven Nzonzi, who disappointed against the Dutch and was sent to the bench.
The French played aggressively in midfield from the start and dominated throughout against an uninspired Uruguay team that defended deep and left a lot of space for the hosts to exploit. Uruguay strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez were shut down by the French defenders but the world champions rarely threatened.
Mbappe was at the heart of most of France's chances before his injury. He missed a good chance 15 minutes in when he collected a pass from Antoine Griezmann and broke into the box but completely fluffed his shot.
He hurt his shoulder on the half-hour mark after he failed to convert another one-one-one with Uruguay keeper Martin Campana, who dived at his feet to thwart the danger. Mbappe jumped to avoid contact with Campana and fell awkwardly on his right shoulder, forcing Deschamps to substitute him for Florian Thauvin.
France continued to push after the interval and was awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after Martin Caceres was penalized for a handball in the box. Giroud converted his 33rd international goal with a low shot to the right of Campana.
Uruguay substitute Jonathan Rodriguez had a good chance to level with seven minutes left when Cavani picked him out unmarked in the box but he mishit his volley.
Re-live the action below:
Here come the teams
Antoine Griezmann is done cuddling Diego Godin and Luis Suarez in the tunnel and the players are now out on the pitch for the national anthems in Paris.
Israel strike first in Scotland
Bad news for Scotland. Brighton midfielder Beram Kayal has just curled in an absolute beauty to put Israel 1-0 up at Hampden Park after 9 minutes.
Remember, Alex McLeish's side need a victory to secure promotion tonight.
Kayal's curler
Here's the goal that has put Israel 1-0 up in Scotland and what a strike it is.
1 min - France 0-0 Uruguay
Uruguay are in their all white away strip to avoid a kit clash with the French this evening.
2 mins - France 0-0 Uruguay
France have an early free-kick after Giroud is brought down by Arsenal's Lucas Torreira.
3 mins - France 0-0 Uruguay
Shortly after that free kick was awarded, Kylian Mbappe was brought down by Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan's are never afraid to get stuck in.
4 mins - France 0-0 Uruguay
Huge chance for the home side. That looked like 1-0. Blaise Matuidi guides a crossfield pass into the path of Oliver Giroud but the Chelsea striker is unable to finish inside the box.
6 mins - France 0-0 Uruguay
It's been a positive start for Didier Deschamps side who have dominated possession so far.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments