Christopher Nkunku marked his return to the France squad with a goal, leading his team to a 4-1 win over Israel in the Nations League on Thursday. This victory brought France closer to Group A2 leaders Italy. Nkunku’s goal came almost 10 months after his last appearance for the national team, helping France accumulate six points from three matches, just one behind Italy. Italy were held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium at home.
Nkunku struck midway through the first half, moments after Omri Gandelman equalized Eduardo Camavinga’s early opener. Later, Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola sealed the win for France in the final stages of the match.
Missing Mbappe, But Dominating
France played without regular captain Kylian Mbappe, who skipped the matches against Israel and Belgium. Mbappe remained fit to play for Real Madrid but faced criticism for missing these games and his recent performance against Italy. Coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the challenging atmosphere within the team.
“It’s always good to win. The atmosphere around the squad isn’t perfect,” Deschamps said, referring to the criticism surrounding Mbappe. “We’re in a transition period, but there are positive things. The players have qualities, and now they need to confirm them.”
This match also marked the first France game since Antoine Griezmann announced his international retirement. Michael Olise, expected to fill Griezmann’s void, showed promise but struggled with inexperience despite some good technical moves.
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Early Lead and Quick Response
France got off to a fast start. Eduardo Camavinga scored in the seventh minute with a well-placed low shot after Israel’s goalkeeper Omri Glazer mishandled the ball. Israel responded quickly, leveling the score in the 24th minute when Gandelman headed home from a long pass by Oscar Gloukh.
However, France regained the lead just four minutes later. Nkunku, slipping past two defenders, fired a low shot into the net, marking his first international goal. His celebration highlighted his relief after his long absence from the national team.
Sealing the Victory
As the game entered its final stages, France looked to secure the win. Matteo Guendouzi found the back of the net with a powerful low shot from just outside the box, extending France’s lead. Bradley Barcola added the finishing touch in the 89th minute with a beautifully curled strike, making it 4-1.
Israel, playing their home matches in Hungary due to security concerns stemming from the war in Gaza, struggled to cope with France’s relentless pressure throughout the match.
With this win, France edged closer to Italy in Group A2, setting up a crucial clash with Belgium on Monday. The French team will need to maintain their momentum as they continue to navigate this transitional period.
Deschamps praised his players for their resilience and commitment despite the ongoing challenges, particularly the absence of key figures like Mbappe and Griezmann. The upcoming match against Belgium will be crucial as Les Bleus look to solidify their position in the Nations League standings.
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