Szombathely (Hungary) (AFP)

Les Bleuets were under pressure but they reacted with authority: much better than in their initial defeat against Denmark, the France Espoirs team beat Russia 2-0 on Sunday in Szombathely and are now well placed for a qualification for the final phase.

There are no qualifiers in Group C yet and everything will be played out on Wednesday during the 3rd day.

But in the event of victory in Gyor against the Icelanders, already beaten twice, the French will be sure to return to Hungary at the end of May to play the quarter-finals of this Euro cut into two installments.

By winning a little earlier against Iceland, Denmark had not left a lot of choice to the Blueberries: beaten they were eliminated, with a draw they almost were.

So when from the 4th minute, Zakharian presented himself in front of Lafont for a face-to-face difficult to miss, we thought that the Hungarian history of young French people would come to an end.

But the Nantes goalkeeper made the necessary stop and the teammates of the new captain Koundé were able to enter their match.

And it was very different from that, very poor for a selection of this caliber, proposed Thursday against Denmark.

Between discontent and wealth of his tank, Ripoll had changed nearly half of his starting team and integrated five new holders, including a completely renewed environment.

Exit Camavinga, Kamara and Guendouzi, all neutral or disappointing against Denmark, and place in Tchouaméni and Soumaré.

- Two penalties -

In front, the indispensable Ikoné supported Edouard in an almost 4-4-2 and, on the right, Dagba brought the offensive impetus which had logically been lacking in Fofana, central defender, in the first match.

Perhaps less rated than others, Konaté and Soumare brought an additional physical dimension to the midfield and played shoulders, but not only, to hurt the Russians.

All in all, the French brought more variety, dynamism and play forward, in a match made more open also by the Russians, much less rigorous than the very serious Danes.

All this resulted in a fairly frank domination and two penalties, both conceded by the right side Maslov, who had a complicated evening.

In the 15th minute, he first hooked Edouard, who himself transformed the penalty.

Then in the 24th minute, Ikoné doubled the bet of a perfect panenka after a hand from Maslov on a strike from Gouiri.

At the break, the French were therefore in control of the match, but their margin was ultimately not huge.

The Russians started to push a little more, the Bleuets held the ball less well and at the hour of play, Ikoné, the real boss, had to remind them that we had to "play a little, guys".

The Bleuets did it, without particularly shining but preventing the Russians from completely believing it, before the end of the match was once again under control and quieter.

Against Iceland, the Ripoll team must now drive home the point.

The depth of the French workforce has allowed the coach to already turn and the mission seems far from insurmountable against a selection almost eliminated and clearly in withdrawal.

© 2021 AFP