France Held to Draw by Israel in a Tense Paris Match
France, the reigning world champions, were held to a frustrating draw by Israel in a tense match at the Stade de France in Paris. The result leaves Les Bleus with just one point from their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers, a far cry from the dominant performances we've come to expect from Didier Deschamps' side.
The match started brightly for France, with Kylian Mbappé looking dangerous from the outset. The Paris Saint-Germain star was a constant threat, cutting inside and firing off shots from distance. However, Israel's defense held firm, and they were able to frustrate France's attack.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Mbappé found the net. He collected a pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni and unleashed a powerful shot past the Israeli goalkeeper. It looked like France were on their way to a comfortable victory, but Israel refused to be cowed.
They fought back with renewed vigor in the second half, and they were rewarded in the 78th minute when Dor Peretz scored the equaliser. The goal came from a set-piece, with Peretz heading home a free-kick from the edge of the box.
The draw was a major disappointment for France. They dominated possession and had several chances to score, but they were unable to find a way past a stubborn Israeli defense. The result will undoubtedly raise questions about Deschamps' tactics and France's ability to defend their world title.
The game was also notable for the number of yellow cards handed out. Both sides were guilty of some heavy tackles, and the referee was forced to show a total of six cautions. The game's physicality made for a tense and exciting watch, but it also contributed to the lack of clear-cut chances.
France will be hoping to bounce back in their next qualifier against the Netherlands. However, after this draw, they'll need to find a way to improve their finishing and sharpen their attack. The battle for qualification in Group B is going to be a tough one, and France will need to be at their best to secure a place at Euro 2024.