The announced Nordic trap has closed well. At the end of a complicated, frustrating and nervous evening in Reykjavik, the French team gave up its first two points in these qualifiers for the World Cup by conceding a draw (2-2) against a tough and uninhibited Icelandic team. A result which, despite a burst of character in the second half, highlights the current limits of a “second” team and revives suspense in the group which Didier Deschamps would have done without.
Forty-five minutes of struggle and controversy
Because throughout the first half, nothing smiled on the Blues. Faced with a low, rough and perfectly in place Icelandic block, the French attack, without its guide and detonator Kylian Mbappé, seemed totally apathetic, incapable of creating the slightest danger. Worse, the Tricolores were victims of very unfavorable refereeing decisions: an Icelandic goal awarded to Pálsson despite an obvious foul on Manu Koné at the start of the action from a corner (39th), then a blatant penalty not whistled for a handball on a Mateta strike just before the break. Trailing and injured, France was in trouble.
Complicated evening for the Blues in Iceland
The fleeting burst of pride
We had to wait until the hour mark to finally see this French team accelerate and show a different face. And the revolt was as sudden as it was spectacular. Christopher Nkunku, after missing a first opportunity a few minutes earlier, offered himself an individual feat to equalize with a perfect curling shot. In the process, three minutes later, on a precise serve from the incoming Maghnes Akliouche, Jean-Philippe Mateta concluded from close range to give France the advantage (68th). In just 180 seconds, the Blues had turned the tide and thought they had done the hard part.
The fatal equalization, symbol of feverishness
But the joy was very short-lived. And therein lies perhaps the greatest frustration of the evening. On the line-up or almost, in a moment of collective deconcentration and culpable relaxation, the young Hlynsson was launched to the edge of offside and shot Maignan to put the two teams back on an equal footing (70th). A fatal error, symbol of a team which, this evening, cruelly lacked control and serenity in key moments.
The limits of an encore team
This draw highlights the current limits of this French team when its executives are not on the field. The absence of players like Mbappé, Dembélé or Rabiot weighed heavily on a team lacking benchmarks, creativity and solidity. If the two goals scored by Nkunku and Mateta, rewarding their efforts, are a satisfaction, the overall performance, tinged with nervousness and individual errors, is a free warning.
A “final” in perspective
This sharing of points is not an accounting disaster, but it significantly complicates the task of the Blues. With Ukraine returning to just three points, direct qualification for the World Cup will most likely be decided in a high-tension “final” against the Ukrainians at the Parc des Princes next month. For his last qualifying campaign, Didier Deschamps will not have a smooth ride. The return of the incumbents is now awaited with the greatest impatience to restore order in the blue house.
