We will have to wait until November to, perhaps, ticket for the 2026 World Cup. This Monday evening in Reykjavik, the French team conceded its first draw (2-2) in this qualifying campaign, a first misstep which, without being dramatic, slightly complicates the road and promises a decisive duel against Ukraine next month. Trailing, then ahead thanks to goals from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Blues were immediately joined. And it is this scenario, more than the lost point, which provoked the cold anger of Didier Deschamps after the match.
“What makes me angry”: Deschamps points out unacceptable relaxation
The coach did not hide his frustration at the microphone of TF1. But his anger was not directed at the overall performance or the barren dominance of the first half. No, what pissed him off was the Icelandic equalizer that came just three minutes after the 2-1 goal. “ What annoys me is the way we take the second goal,” he fumed. “We are open, we are high even though we have just scored… We are poorly positioned. There may be a little
relaxation but that must not happen to us. » A lack of management and concentration deemed unacceptable at this level.
Nkunku and the players plead guilty: “We were not focused”
This lucid and severe observation from the coach was shared by his players. Christopher Nkunku, scorer a few minutes earlier, perfectly identified the collective error: “ The best thing was to stay focused after the goal, which we didn't do. » A feeling of frustration dominated in the locker room, like Jean-Philippe Mateta, “a little frustrated” despite his first goal for Blue, or Maghnes Akliouche, “a little disappointed”. Everyone seemed aware of having let slip a victory that was reaching out to them due to lack of rigor.
Deschamps furious: the Blues “messed up” in his own words!
“No worries”, but a decisive duel to come
Despite this “rage” linked to a specific error, Didier Deschamps refused to give in to panic regarding qualification. “ No worries about qualifying? All that would be missing is that,” he swept away. While slipping a dig at the refereeing over the first Icelandic goal (“Sometimes they have to sleep…”), he preferred to be ironic about the situation: “It’s not you, the broadcaster, who is going to complain, there will be suspense. » This suspense will take place, with a potentially decisive match against Ukraine in November.
A booster shot for a reshuffled group
Ultimately, this draw in Iceland sounds like a wake-up call for a French team that is certainly talented but still needs to improve in consistency and management. The “rage” of Didier Deschamps is a message sent to his group, in particular to new and young players: the very high level does not forgive any relaxation. If qualification remains on track, the Blues now know that they no longer have the right to make mistakes if they want to avoid a high-tension end to the campaign.
