Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Benjamin Pavard at the double as France hit four past Scotland in friendly win

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 October 2023, 21:08
Benjamin Pavard scored twice as France came from behind to beat Scotland 4-1 in a friendly at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Tuesday night.

The Inter Milan defender found the net just three times in his previous 51 international appearances, but he got his name on the scoresheet twice inside the opening 24 minutes against the Tartan Army after Billy Gilmour had given the visitors an early lead with his first-ever senior career goal.

Captain Kylian Mbappe added a third from the penalty spot shortly before half time, before substitute Kingsley Coman sealed the victory with a thunderous strike 20 minutes from time to help France extend their winning run on home soil to five matches.

The two nations entered the contest just a few days after securing qualification for Euro 2024, with France beating the Netherlands 2-1 last Friday and Scotland booking their place at next year's tournament in Germany courtesy of Spain's 1-0 win over Norway on Sunday.

Didier Deschamps made four changes to the France lineup that beat the Dutch, with Pavard, Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud all coming into the first XI.

Steve Clarke, meanwhile, made eight changes to the Scotland team that lost 2-0 to Spain last Thursday, with Liam Kelly handed his international debut in goal and the likes of Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Greg Taylor were also handed starts, while Scott McTominay wore the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Andrew Robertson.

Kickoff at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy was delayed by 10 minutes due to long queues of supporters at the stadium, while extra security measures were put in place following the terrorist attack that occurred before Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden in Brussels which was eventually abandoned.

France controlled proceedings early doors but it was Scotland who took the lead inside the opening 11 minutes when Gilmour capitalised on a misplaced pass from Camavinga to slot a curling strike into the far corner from around 10 yards out.

However, the hosts responded well and restore parity just five minutes later when Pavard towered above the Scotland backline to head home Antoine Griezmann's corner at the front post.

Pavard, playing at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate, then doubled his tally on the 24-minute mark with another header, this time pouncing on Mbappe's pin-point cross and glancing his effort beyond Kelly from close range.

Scotland struggled to pick themselves up and were dealt another blow two minutes before half time when VAR intervened to award France a penalty after Liam Cooper had a fistful of Giroud's shirt; Kelly managed to get a fingertip to the resulting spot kick, but he was unable to prevent Mbappe's powerful strike from nestling into the corner.

France were unable to carry their first-half tempo into the opening stages of the second 45, but they gradually built their rhythm back up, with Mbappe and Griezmann in particular posing a threat in the final third.

However, it was substitute duo Marcus Thuram and Coman who made the difference, with the former bursting down the left flank and drilling a low cross towards Griezmann who somehow steered a volley against the woodwork, before Coman blasted a first-time effort in off the crossbar in the 70th minute.

Thuram nearly added his name to the scoresheet 10 minutes from time when his rising shot smacked the crossbar after racing clean through on goal, but France eventually eased to a comfortable win, albeit against a much-changed Scotland outfit.

France return to international duty on November 18 for a Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Gibraltar, while Scotland play host to Norway two days earlier.

Top News

26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Hull City forward Jaden Philogene during this summer's transfer window. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 will enter the last knockings of the group stage on Wednesday night, and while 11 of the last 16 places have already been accounted for, the battle for the remaining slots is still red hot. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract at Manchester United, with the finer details of the fresh agreement expected to be finalised 'this week'. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town and Burnley - two clubs relegated from the Premier League - will square off on the opening day of the 2024-25 Championship season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia vs. Romania (Wednesday, 5.00pm) In the most hotly-contested group at Euro 2024, third-placed Slovakia are set to face leaders Romania on Wednesday in Group E at Deutsche Bank Park in each side's final group stage game, and the winner could qualify for the knockout rounds in first place. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham have reportedly stood firm on their asking price for Bayern Munich target Joao Palhinha. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has encouraged head coach Arne Slot to sign a new "number six" in the summer transfer window. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to snap their four-match winless run, Sao Paulo play host to Criciuma at the Estadio do Morumbi in round 12 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly offered out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho to La Liga giants Barcelona this summer. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly open to selling midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer amid concerns over their financial situation. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Barcelona to inform them that they expect to sign Marc Guiu. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark were evidently riding high on confidence after their impressive performance against England, as they pressed Serbia aggressively to good effect from the front and dictated the tempo of the game in possess with patient build-up play, picking their moments to get players into the opposing box. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England have finished top of Group C at Euro 2024 despite playing out a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Tuesday night. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final round of Euro 2024 group matches is in full swing as teams battle it out to reach the knockout rounds in Germany. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Austria have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group D winners after beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thriller at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Tuesday evening. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France missed out on top spot in Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal at a European Championship. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England reached the Euro 2024 knockout rounds on Monday after Spain claimed a 1-0 victory in their final group game against Albania. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug has reportedly been identified as a summer transfer target by fellow Bundesliga club Stuttgart. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have announced that they have completed the signing of highly-rated Eric da Silva Moreira. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The USA can potentially qualify for the knockout stage of the Copa America on Thursday when they face Panama in matchday two action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will reportedly face competition from a Champions League club if they pursue a deal for Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have been handed a major boost in their efforts to sign Guido Rodriguez. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fluminense and Vitoria, both struggling at the foot of the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A table, go head-to-head on Thursday at the Maracana. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have confirmed that Nacho will be leaving the club at the end of this month. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a major boost in their efforts to sign Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in the signing of Roma attacker Paulo Dybala this summer. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea reportedly intend to send Alfie Gilchrist out on loan for the 2024-25 campaign. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton have reportedly reached an agreement with Marseille to sign striker Iliman Ndiaye.