MARSEILLE, France: Olivier Giroud was among the scorers as France came back from a goal down to claim a 3-2 win over Chile in an international friendly at the Velodrome, Marseille earlier this morning.
The Euro 2024 favorites were left unlucky when they conceded a goal after just eight seconds in their match against Germany in Lyon last weekend, which saw them beat 2-0.
This time they fell behind after six minutes following Marcelino Nunez’s goal, but recovered with goals from Youssouf Fofana, Randal Kolo Muani and Giroud, before Dario Osorio grabbed Chile’s second goal of the match.
The decision eases some of the doubts that have shrouded the French squad after their lackluster display against Germany, as they prepare for the European Championship next June and July.
However, this squad is a far cry from France’s main squad, with captain Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni two players retained in the starting line-up as coach Didier Deschamps made nine player swaps.
Among Marseille’s selections include right-back Jonathan Clauss and Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom were sent off in the first half through injury, leaving their respective clubs in doubt.
“If we want to do well this June, we need to do better than this,” admitted Deschamps as France face the Netherlands, Austria and Poland in the group stage at Euro 2024.
“I’m not going to jump for joy tonight. It’s good that we won this game after a bad start and often it’s good to get three goals, even if we give up two goals.
“We need to do things differently (at the Euros),” he said.
“We have energy, we have passion, but we also need freshness which we lacked a bit tonight.”