France Vs Argentina: Player Ratings & Match Analysis
Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the France vs. Argentina match and dissect the player ratings. We'll break down the performances, analyze key moments, and give you the lowdown on who shined and who might want to forget this game. Buckle up, because we're about to get tactical!
France Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Hugo Lloris (6/10): The veteran goalkeeper had a mixed bag of a match. He made some crucial saves, especially early on, but he could have done better on a few of the goals. His experience showed, but he wasn't at his absolute best, and for this France vs Argentina match, he wasn't able to lead his team as they lost the game.
- Jules Koundé (5/10): Koundé struggled against the pace and trickery of the Argentinian attack. He looked a bit shaky defensively, and while he tried to contribute going forward, his defensive lapses were costly. Definitely a night he'd want to learn from, but not one to remember.
- Raphaël Varane (6/10): The experienced centre-back showed his class at times, making some important interceptions and tackles. However, he also had moments where he was caught out of position. His leadership was crucial, but even he couldn't completely shut down Argentina's attack. We could see how important he was at defense, but it was not enough to win the game.
- Dayot Upamecano (5/10): Upamecano had a difficult match, looking vulnerable against Argentina's dynamic forwards. He was often caught flat-footed and struggled to cope with the pressure. A performance he'll want to quickly put behind him. He wasn't able to defend the area, and Argentina quickly took advantage of his weakness.
- Théo Hernandez (6/10): Hernandez offered attacking impetus down the left flank, but his defensive work was sometimes questionable. He provided some good crosses and runs, but left space behind him that Argentina exploited. It was a good effort from him, but it also wasn't enough to prevent the loss.
Midfield
- Aurélien Tchouaméni (6/10): Tchouaméni worked hard in midfield, breaking up play and trying to provide a link between defense and attack. He wasn't always successful, and he could have been more incisive with his passing. He provided some good support and defense, but he failed to win the game.
- Adrien Rabiot (6/10): Rabiot put in a solid performance, showing energy and making some key tackles. He contributed well defensively, but he didn't offer enough creativity going forward. He was a great support, but he was not able to generate any real offensive.
- Antoine Griezmann (7/10): Griezmann was arguably France's best player on the night. He worked tirelessly, created chances, and showed great vision. He was the creative hub of the team, and his performance was a testament to his versatility. He was very good at keeping possession of the ball, but it was not enough for the win.
Attack
- Ousmane Dembélé (4/10): Dembélé had a night to forget. He was poor in possession, lost the ball frequently, and offered little threat in attack. His decision-making was questionable, and he was rightly substituted. Definitely not his best game, and he was quickly changed as the game went on.
- Olivier Giroud (6/10): Giroud was a handful for the Argentinian defense, winning aerial duels and holding the ball up well. He scored a crucial goal, but he also missed a couple of chances. He was a threat, but he could have converted more chances.
- Kylian Mbappé (9/10): Mbappé was the standout performer for France. He scored a hat-trick, showed incredible pace and skill, and was a constant threat to the Argentinian defense. He single-handedly brought France back into the game. His performance was inspiring, and he proved why he is one of the best players in the world. He played with a lot of motivation, and even though they lost, it was one of the best matches he has ever played.
Substitutes
- Randal Kolo Muani (7/10): Kolo Muani made an immediate impact after coming on, adding pace and directness to the attack. He won a penalty and caused problems for the Argentinian defense. A lively performance off the bench.
- Marcus Thuram (6/10): Thuram added energy and physicality after coming on, but he didn't have much time to make a significant impact. He was able to apply pressure on the defense, but not enough to change the game.
Argentina Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Emiliano MartĂnez (7/10): MartĂnez was solid in goal, making some important saves and demonstrating good handling. He was confident and commanding in his area. He was good at keeping the defense in shape, and he performed well under pressure. His experience was definitely key for the win.
- Nahuel Molina (6/10): Molina had a decent game, defending well and offering some attacking support down the right flank. He was solid defensively, but sometimes lost the ball. He played well and was able to handle most of the attack of the French team.
- Cristian Romero (7/10): Romero was a rock in defense, making some crucial tackles and interceptions. He showed great determination and leadership. He organized the defense well and never gave up. He was one of the main components of the win for Argentina.
- NicolĂĄs Otamendi (6/10): Otamendi had a good game, partnering well with Romero at the heart of the defense. He was solid and reliable, but he did make a few mistakes. His experience was really important for the game, as he was able to keep the defense in place.
- NicolĂĄs Tagliafico (6/10): Tagliafico defended well and offered support down the left flank. He was disciplined and kept his position well. He made some good passes, and also played a good defense.
Midfield
- Rodrigo De Paul (7/10): De Paul worked tirelessly in midfield, covering a lot of ground and winning the ball back. He provided a link between defense and attack. He was a great asset for Argentina.
- Enzo FernĂĄndez (7/10): FernĂĄndez showed great composure in midfield, dictating the tempo of the game and making some intelligent passes. He was composed on the ball and kept possession well. He had an excellent performance overall.
- Alexis Mac Allister (6/10): Mac Allister was involved in the midfield, but he didn't have a significant impact on the game. He was good at keeping possession and making the passes, but he could have done more.
Attack
- Ăngel Di MarĂa (8/10): Di MarĂa was outstanding, causing problems for France's defense with his pace and skill. He scored a fantastic goal and was a constant threat. His performance was one of the best of the night. He was fast and able to control the ball, while also able to pass the ball to generate the play.
- Lionel Messi (8/10): Messi delivered a masterclass, scoring a goal and orchestrating the attack. He showed incredible vision, skill, and composure. He was the driving force behind Argentina's victory. He played like he always does, with a lot of pressure and motivation to win. He gave his all to the game.
- JuliĂĄn Ălvarez (6/10): Ălvarez worked hard up front, but he didn't have much of an impact on the game. He was good at keeping possession and helping the team. He was able to give support, but not enough to generate any real plays.
Substitutes
- Leandro Paredes (6/10): Paredes added energy and physicality after coming on, helping to see out the win. He was able to maintain possession of the ball, but didn't have much impact.
- Gonzalo Montiel (6/10): Montiel came on and made the decisive penalty kick, ensuring Argentina's victory. His composure under pressure was remarkable. His ability to perform under pressure was crucial.
Match Analysis: Key Talking Points
- Mbappé's Brilliance vs. Argentina's Tactical Masterclass: Let's be honest, Mbappé was absolutely electric. His pace, skill, and finishing were world-class, but Argentina's tactical approach was spot on. They knew how to contain him for the most part, and their ability to capitalize on France's defensive vulnerabilities was key.
- Argentina's Midfield Dominance: Argentina's midfield, particularly the trio of De Paul, FernĂĄndez, and Mac Allister, controlled the game's tempo. They neutralized France's midfield and provided a platform for their attack. Their ability to win possession and quickly transition into attack was crucial.
- France's Defensive Woes: France's defense looked shaky at times, especially in the first half. They struggled to contain Argentina's forwards, and their positioning and marking were often poor. This led to Argentina getting numerous chances.
- Griezmann's Influence: While the rest of the team struggled, Griezmann was a bright spark for France. He was the creative engine and worked tirelessly to try and get France back in the game.
- Di MarĂa's Impact: Di MarĂa's performance was remarkable. His pace, skill, and ability to exploit France's defensive weaknesses were critical. His goal was a work of art and a true highlight of the match.
- Messi's Leadership: Messi was the leader of the team. He was able to pass the ball, generate plays, score a goal, and even manage the other players to help them get a better performance. His skills and performance made him the best player of the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions. Mbappé's individual brilliance wasn't enough to overcome Argentina's tactical superiority and clinical finishing. Argentina deserved the victory, and they showed why they were considered favorites. France fought back valiantly, but they were ultimately outplayed. The match was filled with great plays and also mistakes, but we were able to see the best players on the field.
This player rating and analysis should give you a good overview of the match and the key performances. Let me know what you guys thought! Did you agree with the ratings? What were your favorite moments? Let's discuss!