VIDEO. The French team beaten in Lyon by Germany after two completely failed starts to the half

For its first match of a year 2024 marked by the Euro in June, the French team was therefore beaten by its German neighbor, at home in Lyon.

Or its first defeat at home since June 13, 2022, during a France – Croatia (0-1) at the Stade de France. What’s more during Didier Deschamps’ 150th match on the Blues bench…

The fault was two catastrophic starts to the half, during which the reigning world vice-champions conceded two goals each time.

Too Wirtz for them

And to see the first German goal, you didn’t have to be late at Groupama Stadium or in front of your television. Since the Nationalmannschaft needed less than eight and a half seconds to open the score and air-condition the Gones enclosure. All on a long shot from Bayer Leverkusen striker Florian Wirtz, finishing under the bar of the goals guarded by Lensois Brice Samba. The fastest goal in history conceded by France.

Trailing 1-0, as in the last match lost to the Germans last September (2-1), the French only woke up after a very timid quarter of an hour where no pressing came to bother Julian Nagelsmann’s players. And although the match was somewhat balanced, the French were unable to come back to the score.

Despite the attempt of French captain Kylian Mbappé, who lost his duel against Marc-André ter Stegen on a dive attempt in the 25th minute. The only real French occasion on Saturday.
Worse, Didier Deschamps’ men conceded a new goal in the 49th minute, after a magnificent opening from Wirtz for Musiala putting back for Havertz (2-0).

Samba saves his team from 3-0

Without Antoine Griezmann, absent for the first time after 84 consecutive matches, the Blues seemed to lack a link between attackers and midfielders, with a rather discreet Mbappé on Saturday evening in Lyon. The returns of Camavinga in the middle and Giroud on the attacking front in particular will not have changed anything.

The Germans being too strong collectively and technically to be bothered by the French. Brice Samba even made several saves in the last ten minutes to avoid the slap. They will have to do better against lesser opposition, Chile, on Tuesday in Marseille.