Finland – France (0-2) – The notes of the Blues: Karim Benzema changed everything, Kylian Mbappé broke everything

Hugo Lloris: 5

Vigilant, he managed the depth well as on this intervention on Pukki (34th) which also forced him to a horizontal (41st). Apart from a last quarter of an hour of the first period a little tense, he lived a quiet evening.

Leo Dubois: 4

He started with a lot of desire by trying to offer a real solution on the right side, especially in the offensive phase. But he was overtaken by his limitations. The Lyonnais ended up losing a lot of balls around half an hour into the game and the danger too often came from his lane. His nasty hamstring injury ends a painful evening.

• In short… The comparison with Coman is not flattering for the Lyonnais.

Replaced by

Benjamin Pavard: 5

He had a thousand and one reasons to burst the screen but he first complicated his life and slowed down the blue progression by increasing the number of hits on the ball. More at ease when he integrated the right axis, after Coman came into play, he gradually gained in thickness over the duels won. An end of the match that could do him good.

• In short… It is not yet Byzantium but Pavard is recovering.

Jules Koundé: 5

His clean start to the match was in line with his last outings for the France team. The Sevillian is not clumsy in its orientations. He suffered more when Finland got their foot on the ball and imposed a pressing.

• In short… Little by little, it takes its marks.

Replaced by Kingsley Coman (56th), much less legs than Saturday at the Parc des Princes. Some flashes but not constant enough.

Kurt Zouma: 6

Very aggressive, he participated in the very high recoveries of the ball before the break. Often well placed, not always well inspired in hasty raises, the defender of West Ham reassured on his interventions and never left room for doubts. Boss for a night, he generally held his rank.

Dayot Upamecano: 6

From the start of the match, full of conviction and edge, Upamecano had made an appointment: this time, there was no question of missing out. Like his authoritative return to the shoulder (68th), the Bayern defender has proven that Deschamps was right to maintain his confidence in him. No jump in concentration, a full match: it was about time.

Lucas Digne: 5

He was physically moved in defense, especially at the start of the second half. While Theo Hernandez continues to distance himself, the former Lille, borrowed in his projections, did not really plead his case despite a good gap for Benzema (57th). He had to take the bull by the horns, but he didn’t.

• In short… Not enterprising enough.

Aurélien Tchouaméni: 4.5

A little out of time in the use of the ball, he started his evening badly and never really got in touch despite some good recoveries (29th, 37th). In the absence of Pogba, we would have liked him to take more of the game on his own but he did not have the opportunity.

• In short… The most timid of his selections.

Adrien Rabiot: 5.5

Neutral during the first period, he was content to slide without taking his responsibilities. A good exit from the ball (50th) finally made him enter his match and he steered on Benzema for the opener. The Turinese finished his match better.

Replaced by Jordan Veretout (84th).

Antoine Griezmann: 4

He looked for Mbappé a lot but found him very little. Griezmann was more effective in his defensive folds than in his offensive decisions like his shot too removed (25th) or his failed deflection (50th) on a promising exit from the ball. Too discreet to influence the fate of the evening.

• In short… Not a great international fall for Griezmann.

Replaced by Mattéo Guendouzi (68th)

Kylian Mbappé: 8

What a monster! After a first period where he was the only one to try to shake the coconut palm, the Parisian ignited the icy evening. First of a divine assist for Benzema before driving the point home alone like a big one. After a mad ride, his strike from the inside of the foot sealed the fate of the match. But what a strike… We still haven’t recovered.

• In short… In the form of his life in Blue.

Moussa Diaby: 4

Good calls in the back to start the meeting and then, nothing more. Itchy hair during his many entries into the game, he suffered during the short hour spent on the field against the big Finnish guys. He never got out of the vise and disappeared over the course of the meeting. A very shy first tenure.

• In short… Promises quickly flown away.

Replaced by Karim Benzema (57th), dangerous from the start. The game changer of the day turned the game upside down by scoring on his first opportunity after a good combination with Mbappé. He brought binder and life to a selection that seemed breathless without him.