The last international window could allow France to regain first place in the FIFA Ranking. On the condition, however, that Argentina finally lets go in its qualifying campaign.
Two matches, two victories: the France team negotiated its two matches in October perfectly. A month after their guilty defeat in a friendly in Germany, the Blues have indeed achieved two convincing successes. Solid winners in the Netherlands (2-0) as part of the qualifiers for Euro 2024, the French followed up with a spectacular victory against Scotland (4-1) in a friendly.
In addition to validating their ticket to Germany in June, the vice-world champions signed a great performance in the Fifa Ranking. Firstly, by repelling the Brazilian threat. With a poor draw against Venezuela (1-1) and a defeat in Uruguay (2-0), Brazil is the big loser this international window. While France scored 12.34 points, the Seleçao lost 25.4 and is now almost 41 points behind the Blues, closely followed by England.
Eight matches, eight victories
But by scoring 12.34 points, France also got closer to Argentina, who only scored 9.88 points despite their two new victories against Paraguay and Peru. The Albiceleste are now only 8.19 points ahead of France and Didier Deschamps’ men can hope to dethrone the world champions in November. Consequence of the arduous schedule which will await Lionel Scaloni’s men.
Because while France will host Gibraltar then travel to Greece, the Argentines will host Uruguay then visit Brazil. With two new victories, France will only score 4.7 points this time and must hope for a misstep from Argentina to take first place. However, a simple draw will not be enough. It will take two draws against Celeste and Seleçao or a defeat.
And given the form displayed by the world champions since their world title, beating them will not be a simple matter, even for Uruguay, which has found color since the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa. Argentina not only remains on eight victories in as many matches in 2023, but they have not even conceded a single goal….
