Francewho already had qualification for the 2024 European Championships in his pocket and little at stake, jumped with one Version B and a few headlinesan experiment that Greece used to secure a draw and not end the year with a complete victory.
The game has a high symbolic value for the Hellenes Gustavo Poyetwho saw him in the stands after his dismissal in the last game against the Netherlands and who had no sporting interest because they were guaranteed a play-off.
The duel was only aimed at further improving the vice world champion who was chasing him Complete a perfect 2023something they hadn’t achieved since 2003, taking top spot in the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2001.
This second is now in the hands of Argentinawho, after defeating them in the final of the World Cup in Qatar, can also take away their honorary title if they win Brazil.
Details that become relevant in a France that has arrived after the record-breaking festival three days ago Gibraltar, 14-0, and with confidence through the roof, so high that Didier Deschamps He completed the test leaving eight starters on the bench, including Kylian Mbappewho came out when his team was behind and gave him more speed.
Antoine Griezmannyes, a non-negotiable name for the French coach, chained his 84th commitment to the front of the team that jumped out with a good feeling, dominated the first half and satisfied the coach who wants to complete the backbone of the team.
It was time for names who have not yet secured a place in the next European Cup to earn their place and everything seemed to be going in the right direction.
Griezmann, who let the orchestra play to his liking, hit the post in the 33rd minute, just before half-time Kolo Muani He took advantage of a serve from Youssouf Fofana to break into the penalty area and exploit a small gap to beat Odysséas Vlachodímos.
It was the second goal for the PSG striker, who missed the crucial chance that denied his country a place in the World Cup in Qatar. Poyet’s men, made up of three centre-backs, appeared to dominate in controlling the game and also on the scoreboard, but they did not drop their arms looking for gaps in a defense that had only played together for a few hours.
Lucas Hernández’s mistake
The failure occurred in the 56th minute Lucas Hernandez’s mistake who took advantage of it Anastaios Bakasetas to equalize and bring panic to a France that had until then remained calm during the duel.
The Hellenes noticed and only raised the stakes 5 minutes later Dimitros Giannoulis He impersonated Joules Koundé in defense and served Fotis Ioannidis to shoot Brice Samba. Faced with the affront, Deschamps responded with the following words: A Tacadato Mbappé, Kingsley Coman and Jonathan Clauss and revealed his dissatisfaction with the right wing occupied by Koundé and Ousmane Debélé.
But the draw came from the boots of one of those who were on the field and also one of those who had to earn that position, the Monegasque Fofana, who surprised Vlachodimos from 25 meters to calm the mood in France.
The draw was not enough for the Gauls, they gave the game more rhythm, which was also helped by the fact that Greece did not give up and tried to close the gaps left by a rival that had gone on the attack. The trench warfare resulted in an exchange of blows, with more impulses from France, carried by an accelerated Mbappé and a very incisive Coman on the right In the 90th minute he hit another ball on the post.
With stoppage time already expired, Mbappé, who had been decisive in nine of France’s last 10 games, forced Vlachodimos to stand to save the draw.