France breathes sigh of relief after beating Chile in friendly

26.03.2024 - 23:37 france24.com

The Euro 2024 favourites were left reeling after conceding just eight seconds into their game against Germany in Lyon last weekend, which they went on to lose 2-0.

This time they fell behind within six minutes to a Marcelino Núñez strike, but came roaring back with goals from Youssouf Fofana, Randal Kolo Muani and Giroud, before Dario Osorio grabbed a second for Chile late on.

The result will ease some of the doubts which had surrounded the French team following their flat performance against Germany, as they prepare for the European Championship in June and July.

However, this was far from a first-choice French side, with captain Kylian Mbappé and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni the only players to be retained in the starting line-up as coach Didier Deschamps made nine changes.

Football Didier Deschamps Kylian Mbappe Jonathan Clauss Eduardo Camavinga Aurelien Tchouameni Randal Kolo Muani France Germany Argentina Monaco Chile county Lyon

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Barcelona’s Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski (R) fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire-Emery (2L) during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 10, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)