France on Tuesday produced yet another dominant display to win 4-1 in a friendly against Scotland. Goals from Benjamin Pavard, Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman secured the win for Les Bleus. The win extended France’s unbeaten record on home ground to nine matches.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland side finalised their qualification for Euro 2024 at the weekend after Norway failed to beat Spain. Scotland had won five of their first six games, ensuring a relaxed end to the group stage. Clarke made eight changes from his side’s defeat to Spain on Friday, with Kelly, Cooper, Taylor, Gilmour, McLean, Patterson, Ferguson, and Adams coming in for Gunn, Aaron Hickey, Porteous, Andrew Robertson, Christie, McGregor, Dykes, and McGinn.
France also secured their place at Euro 2024 after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday, with Kylian Mbappe grabbing a brace. Deschamps made four changes from the side that defeated the Netherlands on Friday. Pavard came into the defence in place of Lucas Hernandez, Camavinga replaced Rabiot in the midfield, and Dembele and Giroud found themselves in the starting XI with Kolo Muani and Coman dropping to the bench.
Scotland started the game brightly and scored first through Billy Gilmour. Gilmour pounced on a mistake by Camavinga to put the Scots ahead. However, their lead lasted only five minutes, with Benjamin Pavard heading in from a Griezmann corner to restore parity for Les Blues. Pavard scored his second goal of the night just five minutes later to turn the game around. Kylian Mbappe scored the third goal for France from the spot at the brink of first half to ensure Les Bleus had breathing space going into half-time.
France played the second half quite comfortably, keeping the ball and making Scotland do all the hard work. Substitute Kingsley Coman scored the fourth goal for France at the 70th-minute mark, sealing the tie for Les Bleus.
France vs Scotland XI
France XI – Mike Maignan; Théo Hernández, Ibrahim Konaté, Benjamin Pavard, Jonathan Clauss; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann; Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé.
Scotland XI – Liam Kelly; Liam Cooper, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna; Greg Taylor, Billy Gilmour, Kenny McLean, Nathan Patterson; Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay, Che Adams.
Editors pick
