Deschamps came out in Athens with rotations in the eleven as he had a ticket to the European Championship more than guaranteed
The French, led by Mbappé, finish leaders of Group B with 22 points
Francewith qualification for the 2024 Euro Cup already in his pocket and little at stake, jumped into the Athens stadium with a version B and few headlinesan experiment that Greece took advantage of to snatch a draw and prevent it from ending the year with a full victory.
The match has a high symbolic value for the Hellenes of Gustavo Poyetwho saw him in the stands after having been sent off in the last match against the Netherlands and who also had no sporting interest since they were guaranteed a play-off.
The duel only sought to further exalt the world runners-up who were chasing close a perfect 2023something they had not done since 2003, and finish first in the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2001.
This second is now in the hands of Argentinawho, after having defeated them in the final of the World Cup in Qatar, can also take away that honorary title if they beat Brazil.
Details that become relevant in a France that arrived after the record-breaking feast that took place three days ago before Gibraltar, 14-0, and with confidence through the roof, so high that Didier Deschamps He took the test and left eight starters on the bench, including Kylian Mbappéwhich 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 with the baton of the team, which jumped out with a good feeling, dominated the first period and satisfied the coach, who seeks to complete the backbone of the team.
It was time for names who have not secured a place in the next Euro Cup to earn their place and everything seemed to be going in the right direction.
Griezmann, who made the orchestra play to his liking, hit the post in the 33rd minute and on the brink of half-time Kolo Muani He took advantage of a service from Youssouf Fofana to enter the area and take advantage of a small gap to beat Odysséas Vlachodímos.
It was the second goal for the PSG forward, who missed the key opportunity that deprived his country of the World Cup in Qatar. Poyet’s men, who formed with three centre-backs, seemed dominated in controlling the game and also on the scoreboard, but they did not lower their arms in search of loopholes in a defense with only a few hours of flying together.
Lucas Hernández’s mistake
The failure appeared in the 56th minute with a Lucas Hernandez’s mistake who took advantage Anastaios Bakasetas to equalize and bring panic to a France that, until then, had been calm through the duel.
The Hellenes noticed it and raised the bet until 5 minutes later Dimitros Giannoulis He portrayed Joules Koundé in defense and served for Fotis Ioannidis to shoot Brice Samba. Faced with the affront, he knocked on Deschamps, giving in, a tacadato Mbappé, Kingsley Coman and Jonathan Clauss and revealing his discontent with the right wing occupied by Koundé and Ousmane Debélé.
But the tie came from the boots of one of those who was on the field, also, one of those who had to earn the position, the Monegasque Fofana, who surprised Vlachodimos from 25 meters to calm the spirits of France.
The tie was not enough for the Gauls, who gave a greater rhythm to the match, which was also helped by the fact that Greece did not give up and tried to fish between the gaps left by a rival launched into the attack. The trench war gave way to an exchange of blows, with more impetus from France dragged by an accelerated Mbappé and a very incisive Coman on the right, who He hit another ball against the post in the 90th minute.
With added time already up, Mbappé, who has been decisive in nine of France’s last ten games, forced Vlachodimos into a stretch to save the tie.