Didier Deschamps' choices were not conclusive. In the absence of star captain Kylian Mbappé, but also Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola or Marcus Thuram, the France team challenged Iceland with a completely new offensive quartet. Jean-Philippe Mateta occupied the point, supported by Michael Olise in number 10 as well as Florian Thauvin and Christopher Nkunku on the sides. Maghnes Akliouche did not have the chance to start.
The AS Monaco prodigy, 23, did not miss the opportunity to distinguish himself after coming into play in the 64th minute in place of Florian Thauvin, voluntary but not very successful (and whose tenure, at 32, is questionable, even after his nice goal against Azerbaijan). Christopher Nkunku had just equalized by cutting in from the left to score in force (63rd).
Akliouche stood out well on the left of the penalty area, between two defenders, to receive a pass from Eduardo Camavinga. The sparkling left-hander then made the perfect cross to the far post for Jean-Philippe Mateta (68th). The first goal for the Crystal Palace center forward and therefore the first decisive action from the ASM attacking midfielder for his third tricolor cap.
Akliouche at the World Cup?
Akliouche spoke of his good start after the meeting on the TF1 set. “It’s already a dream to have been called up. This is my second gathering. I am happy to have returned and to have been decisive, I am on this path, to feel better and better and if I still have the opportunity to show myself, I will do it with pleasure”he said eight months before the 2026 World Cup.
Last year, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games football tournament, Maghnes Akliouche was Thierry Henry's first choice behind Michael Olise, ahead of Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki. These are the last two cities that Akliouche will have to beat to appear in the group of the French team at the next World Cup organized in North America.
