France won 4-1 in a test match against Scotland. The world runners-up fell behind after a Camavinga mishit, but then Pavard came on.
France were challenged in the European Championship qualifiers a few days ago and booked their ticket for EURO 2024 in Germany with a 2-1 win in the Netherlands. National coach Didier Deschamps made four changes compared to the performance in Amsterdam: Pavard, Camavinga, Dembelé and Giroud started for Lucas Hernandez, Rabiot, Coman and Kolo Muani.
Scotland were also challenged in the European Championship qualifiers, but the Bravehearts’ participation in EURO 2024 was already certain before the 0:2 in the top match in Spain. National coach Steve Clarke rotated through the starting eleven, with only Hendry, McKenna and McTominay remaining.
The game started with Daniel Siebert in charge in place of Tobias Stieler, who pulled out at short notice. It was a rather tough start with mistakes on both sides. The biggest mistake then led to the lead for the Scots: Camavinga actually had the ball under control in his own penalty area, enough space, time and options. But the Real professional played the ball right into the legs of Gilmour, who thanked him with the 0:1 (11th).
But France had the right answers in the person of Pavard. First, the Bayern professional headed in Griezmann’s corner (16th), then he was on hand again after Mbappé’s great work (24th). Mbappé then made it 3-1 at the break in a lively first half from the spot (41st).
Two aluminium goals – Coman scores the final goal
The second half was far less spectacular than the first. For a long time little happened, only after a quarter of an hour Mbappé came forward with a overhead kick, but it did not find its target (60.). France no longer played so purposefully, but still had everything under control.
In the 70th minute, the “Equipe tricolore” increased the lead to 4:1. The former Gladbach player Thuram was able to break through on the left and passed inside. Griezmann hit the crossbar from just a few metres out, and Bayern’s Coman expertly converted the much more difficult rebound.
Scotland tried hard and were able to keep the game even at times, but they lacked penetrating power in attack. Brown tested Maignan with a long-range effort in the 76th minute, but Maignan had to stretch to keep out the shot for a corner. And in the 85th minute, Armstrong and Brown again had two good chances, but Maignan was on hand to keep them out.
But the French also had chances for the fifth goal: Thuram chased the ball on the crossbar after a Coman cross in the 82nd minute, Coman failed two minutes later with a long-range shot on Clark. So it remained a well-deserved 4:1 for France.
