Friendlies mean nothing, right? Well, France will certainly hope so after they failed to impress against a well-organised Canada.
Didier Deschamps’ side, packed with talent (including second-half substitute Kylian Mbappe) were blunted by a team who had been beaten 4-0 by the Netherlands just days earlier in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge.
That heavy defeat in Rotterdam featured a reasonable first-half display from Canada but in Bordeaux, they were much more accomplished.
Despite the bland performance in the 0-0, however, there was some good news for France (and neutrals): Kylian Mbappe came on and looks ready for the Euros.
France now head off to Germany, while Marsch’s Canada continue preparations for Copa America.
Here, Tim Spiers and Joshua Kloke break down the action.
How to follow Euro 2024 and Copa America on The Athletic…
Why did France struggle to build through midfield?
Even with Kylian Mbappe on the bench, there was giddy anticipation in the sell-out 42,000 crowd for France’s first match in Bordeaux since 2015.
After all, against a Canada side which had just been walloped 4-0 by the Dutch, surely a front four of Antoine Griezmann, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud, the latter playing a home international for France for the final time, would run riot and send the team to Germany in a blaze of goal-based euphoria?
Well, in the first half, aside from a spurt of early chances when France looked to exploit space in behind Alphonso Davies on Canada’s left side, France were laboured and the initially excitable crowd were soon reduced to Mexican waves to entertain themselves.
N’Golo Kante and Eduardo Camavinga anchored the midfield with Griezmann drifting deep and looking to pick the lock ahead of them, but in truth it was Canada who looked the more composed in midfield, enjoying more possession than the French who just looked too top-heavy.
Tim Spiers
Eduardo Camavinga started in midfield with N’Golo Kante (ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
What positives were there for Marsch?
Jesse Marsch’s first friendly in charge of Canada presented a tale of two halves: against the Netherlands, Canada looked dynamic and aggressive in the first half but deflated in the second and ran out of steam.
But against France, Canada’s press was not nearly as uncompromising. They slowed things down and looked intelligent in their movement. As a result, Marsch’s side were far more organized and looked capable of holding their own against France for longer spells into the second half.
Canada deserve credit for shutting down France but also testing them with their limited chances. This is the kind of performance and result that should build confidence in the Canadian camp ahead of Copa America.
There were questions from Canada about whether he was a single-tooled manager who would be able to get his team to press and press alone. That Marsch got his players to shift their approach suggests this Canadian side could be capable of showing different looks against different sides at Copa America. Could Canada just try to press and surprise Argentina and then back off and try to own possession against Chile?
Some of Canada’s best players against the Netherlands again had strong showings: Derek Cornelius and Ismael Kone in particular helped dictate the pace of play in a more composed manner for Canada. After flirting with a role for Canada for years, Cornelius will be relied upon by Marsch from here on in: He led all Canadian players with nine passes into the final third.
Joshua Kloke
Liam Millar hit the barf or Canada (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
How did Mbappe look?
France’s ponderous build-up play gave way to a more direct approach in the second half, with a plethora of crosses and corners testing the Canada defence, who to their credit held firm.
France were missing that one magical touch in front of goal and there was only one man for the job.
Mbappe, kept on the bench because of a problem with his knee, warmed up on the touchline and waved to the stands — the young crowd screamed like he was Justin Bieber (or another pop star that young people like).
Finally, in the 74th minute, he arrived to a hero’s reception. The stage was set.
Except, well, France’s all-round play was still so mundane that Mbappe’s first touch wasn’t until six minutes later and that was to play a drop ball back to Canada’s keeper after a stoppage.
Real Madrid’s latest superstar had seen enough. He came deep inside his own half, skipped past one player and dashed 40 yards upfield. Both knees appeared to work just fine.
Thereafter he was busy and breezy, looking to play one-twos and lift France’s tempo.
Could he find a late winner? No, the closest he came was a 20-yard curler which sailed over the bar. He ruefully shook his head, summing up an underwhelming night for Les Blues.
And then in the dying seconds of added time there he went, full Mbappe boss mode, haring towards the box, slaloming inside and out of two defenders…but shooting too close to the keeper. He ruefully looked up at the sky with an exasperated expression, suitably summing up an underwhelming line for Les Blues.
Tim Spiers
(FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Does Canada have a goaltending decision to make?
It was always the plan for Marsch to split starts between Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crepeau in Canada’s two friendlies this week.
St. Clair did well against the Netherlands, keeping Canada in the match with his shot-stopping and athleticism as the players in front of him tired. His start was a surprise though, considering how much more experience Crepeau owns and how has has been Canada’s goalkeeper-in-waiting for years.
Against France, Crepeau showed what that experience looked like. He shut out the World Cup finalists. How many Canadian goalkeepers can put that on their CV? Not only was Crepeau’s positioning against a hungry French side in the first half excellent, he played far higher up the pitch to aid Canada’s press. Crepeau’s distribution helped put Canada’s midfielders in good spots.
It’s going to be a debate moving forward: Pure shot-stopping and aggressiveness in St. Clair versus the more composed and cerebral Crepeau?
But after none of France’s shots on target made it past Crepeau, he might have put himself in the driver’s seat for the starter’s spot for Copa America. And deservedly so.
Joshua Kloke
What did Didier Deschamps say?
We will bring you reaction from the France manager after the match.
What did Jesse Marsch say?
We will bring you reaction from the Canada head coach after the match.
What next for France?
Monday, June 17: Austria, Euro 2024 Group D, 8pm UK, 3pm ET
What next for Canada?
Friday, June 21: Argentina, Copa America Group A, 1am UK, June 20 8pm ET
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(Top photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
