Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP)
The Blues have regained flamboyance and especially the victory that had eluded them since the failed Euro, Tuesday against Finland (2-0) in qualifying for the World-2022, with a double from Antoine Griezmann and a delicious evening for Karim Benzema, the darling of Lyon.
The ex-child prodigy of OL, to whom the 57,000 supporters of Décines have reserved a rock-star welcome, did not shake the nets but he raised the stadium with a delicious and decisive pass for Griezmann (25th), before boosting the action of the double of "Grizou" (53rd).
French striker Karim Benzema greets the supporters at the end of the match they won, 2-0 against Finland, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on September 7, 2021 at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon FRANCK FIFE AFP
It did not take more for the France team, tossed about by injuries and poor performance, to heal its morale at the same time as its balance sheet.
There it is now consolidated in its first place with 12 points in six matches, against five for his visitor who has however two matches less.
Captain Hugo Lloris did not want to resume qualifying in November with "even more pressure", he was heard by his partners.
The team aligned by Didier Deschamps clearly raised its level of play on Tuesday, after the very poor copies made in Strasbourg against Bosnia-Herzegovina and then in Kiev against Ukraine (1-1 each time).
- "Karim, Karim" -
However, the bad luck of the coach had accompanied him to Lyon, where he had to deal with the suspension of Jules Koundé and the last-minute package of Kingsley Coman, victim of an injury after so many others (Mbappé, Kanté , Tolisso, Upamecano).
At the kick-off, the Basque technician had bet on a rearguard with three central defenders, as in the cursed eighth-final of the Euro lost against Switzerland (3-3, 5-4 tab), extended on the sides by right-back Léo Dubois and left-back Theo Hernandez, remarkable for his first selection despite an error that could have been expensive at the end of the match.
French defender Théo Hernandez overwhelms his Finnish counterpart Nikolai Alho, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 7, 2021 at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon FRANCK FIFE AFP
In front, Antoine Griezmann was responsible for feeding the pair of attack composed of Anthony Martial, scorer on Saturday in Kiev, and Karim Benzema, the child prodigy of Lyon received by an ovation, a banner welcoming him "home" and "Karim, Karim!"
shouted loudly.
The Real Madrid center forward thanked them with a performance combining class and fighting spirit, in the heart of an evening where he displayed a great bond with his attacking partners, Griezmann in the lead.
French striker Karim Benzema shoots after overwhelming Finnish captain and defender Paulus Arajuuri, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on September 7, 2021 at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon FRANCK FIFE AFP
- Griezmann as Platini -
"Grizou" the Macônais was in all the right moves, in a role of leader which suits him perfectly.
The Lyon public accompanied his replacement (90th) with a round of applause.
His double allows him to equal Michel Platini, the third best scorer in the history of the Blues with 41 units, and to find color after rather dull performances.
His opener is a collective gem in a sea of individual talents.
Back from the attack line, he shifts Martial to the left.
The Mancunien slips to Benzema who deflects superbly with a touch of the ball towards Griezmann.
The Atlético player brings the ball with his right foot before whipping it with the outside of his left foot (25th, 1-0).
Unstoppable.
French striker Antoine Griezmann opens the scoring against Finland, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, on September 7, 2021 at Groupama Stadium in Lyon FRANCK FIFE AFP
In the second half, Benzema gets rid of two opponents, Dubois shifts to the right which puts Griezmann back.
The latter, although arrived launched, sets the sights in a closed angle between the goalkeeper and the post (53rd, 2-0).
The joy of French striker Antoine Griezmann, after scoring his second goal against Finland, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 7, 2021 at Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon FRANCK FIFE AFP
Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who left with an injury after Bosnia, the Blues enjoyed striking offensive phases, with the regular contribution of Theo Hernandez and, above all, Griezmann / Martial / Benzema combinations always in the right tempo ( 38th, 60th).
After five games without a win, in all competitions, there was an urgent need to win and the French did very well.
They can now approach more serenely a month of October with two challenges: on the ground, playing in the final tournament of the League of Nations in Italy;
in front of the TV, watching their opponents in qualifying play the late matches, without being able to be caught.
© 2021 AFP