France 3-0 Wales: 5 Talking Points as world champions cruise to victory | International Friendlies 2021

France v Wales - International Friendly
France v Wales - International Friendly

#3 Jules Kounde and Corentin Tolisso stake claim for starting XI spot

France v Wales - International Friendly
France v Wales - International Friendly

In the absence of N'Golo Kante, Corentin Tolisso was chosen to start alongside Paul Pogba and Adrien Rabiot in midfield for France. The Bayern Munich midfielder has been ravaged by injuries in recent seasons, but he gave Didier Deschamps a timely reminder of his quality with an impressive display.

Starting as the deepest midfielder, Tolisso kept things ticking for France and made a series of eye-catching passes while also showcasing his box-to-box ability.

Jules Kounde, on the other hand, made his France debut as a right-back, as he came on for Benjamin Pavard after the interval. The Sevilla defender, who is primarily a central defender, proved his quality with a superb cameo. Kounde is much quicker than Pavard and could be better suited to cope with pacy attackers, with France set to lock horns with Germany, Hungary and Portugal in the group stages.

Deschamps has quality players to choose from across the pitch, but Kounde's second-half display could tempt him to start the young defender ahead of the Bayern Munich man.


#2 Karim Benzema impresses on France return despite penalty miss

France v Wales - International Friendly
France v Wales - International Friendly

Karim Benzema justified his return to the France squad with a top-class display. The Real Madrid striker missed a penalty, but he showed flashes of brilliance and combined well with Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.

In his first appearance for Les Bleus in five years, Benzema did everything but score, as he firmly established himself in the starting XI. France currently have arguably the strongest squad in world football, but the 33-year-old's addition to the side could turn out to be the X-factor at Euro 2020 for Deschamps.


#1 France's attack is worth its weight in gold

France v Wales - International Friendly
France v Wales - International Friendly

Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann started together in what was a star-studded France front-three. In their first start together, they combined well to comfortably dispatch Wales, indicating that a destructive triumvirate could well be in the making.

Les Bleus did win the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Olivier Giroud as the focal point of the attack, but Benzema is a different breed of attacker and is arguably one of the most complete strikers of his generation. The 33-year-old slotted into the lineup seamlessly and produced a brilliant display, as France looked much more assured upfront.

With the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and Wissam Ben Yedder as attacking options off the bench, Deschamps has his bases covered in the final third and looks set to make maximum use of his squad at Euro 2020.


Kindly help Sportskeeda's Football section improve. Take a 30-second survey now

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now