Australia Content: La France easily defeated Colombia this Sunday night in a friendly match in the United States (3-1), even though Didier Deschamps had fielded a “B” team by making eleven changes at kick-off compared to the previous victory against Brazil. However, the French substitutes, even without familiarity, sent a strong message.
It was Thomas Meunier himself who said earlier in the week: “The French team, with all the players they have, can field three teams that can win the World Cup.” While Deschamps found the Belgian defender’s statement a bit exaggerated (“Why not twelve as well?” joked the coach), the friendly match of the Blues this Sunday evening against Colombia (3-1) largely vindicated – in part – the Lille player: France may not have exactly three teams capable of winning a World Cup, but it seems to have at least two that can perform at the highest international level.
Three days after the prestigious victory against Brazil (2-1) with the “regulars,” Deschamps opted for significant changes at the start of this second match of the American tour. A total turnover, as the entire starting eleven had changed in three days. Out went Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, or Mike Maignan, replaced by Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Digne, Désiré Doué, Maghnes Akliouche, or Rayan Cherki. Decent players indeed…
The Colombians, who fielded their “A” team, quickly realized the quality of the French talent pool when Doué and Marcus Thuram increased the score to 2-0 before halftime, exhibiting a clear French domination and technical superiority despite Colombia creating some serious chances. This observation was noted by supporters and followers of both teams on social media.
A praised pool from Paris to Bogota, passing through Senegal and Mexico
“I love this B team. Defending together, playing with intensity. It’s fluid for guys who never play together,” rejoiced a French fan, while another highlighted the quality of the bench, featuring offensive leaders from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
“So the French substitutes beat the Colombian starting team?” remarked Colombian journalist Andres Munoz Ferrino. “The French reserve team is superior to 95% of the teams globally,” replied an online user. “They can beat anyone.”
“The French substitutes dominate us. Saying it’s painful is an understatement,” commented another Colombian fan, disappointed by the performance of the “Tricolor,” despite being Copa America finalists in 2024.
French and Colombian fans are not the only ones appreciating the “reserve team” demonstration. “France’s B team can easily reach the World Cup semi-finals,” said Mexican journalist Juan Carlos Zuniga. With less than three months until the World Cup, where France will face Senegal in the opening match, the evening’s game served as a reminder for some loyal Lions of Teranga. “Some people think we will beat or draw against the French team, haha,” joked one of them. “Even their B team is better than us.”
As for Didier Deschamps, while he did not want to get carried away, he also acknowledged at halftime that he appreciated the first half by the “substitutes.” “Without familiarity, they showed quality, the right mentality, and a lot of fighting spirit,” commented the coach to TF1. “It wasn’t perfect, but it’s very good, in line with what we did in the first match but with different players. It was important for me to see them as well.”
