France were held to a surprise 1-1 draw Hungary on Saturday in 2020 UEFA European Championship’s Group F with all the entire world champions compelled to come from behind to salvage a stage in Budapest.
Attila Fiola sparked wild scenes in Puskas Arena with all the opening goal on the stroke of half-time along with the hosts remained in front past the hour mark before Antoine Griezmann equalized after Kylian Mbappe had extended the Magyar defense.
Substitute Ousmane Dembele could have given the French the guide when he struck the post, but Peter Gulacsi — beaten then — was in outstanding shape to deny Mbappe towards the end and preserve a famous Hungarian draw.
For France, it will not feel as a disastrous result but there will be some questions asked of different performances throughout the sport together with Raphael Varane and Benjamin Pavard questionable on the opening target, Adrien Rabiot less balanced than Corentin Tolisso in midfield and Mbappe and Karim Benzema unsuccessful in attack.
The Paris Saint-Germain man should have done better with a first half header from a glorious Lucas Digne cross and was later denied with a sensational Gulacsi block, but he’d provide Griezmann’s leveler and grownup Benzema for what should’ve been the opener.
The Real Madrid forward was not able to capitalize on Mbappe and Griezmann’s excellent combination play and put his shot wide when he was expected to hit the target before disappearing out of the encounter and eventually being substituted after 76 minutes.
When it would be easy to claim that simply placing Olivier Giroud in for Benzema fixes which, it was not the case in Budapest and Les Bleus desired more than his increased work rate as they searched for another and the solution seems to be in the midfield.
Rabiot, that started from Germany and again here, was set in the colour by Tolisso after the Bayern Munich guy arrived and when he could supply the exact same sort of equilibrium in the middle against Portugal next, then he’ll probably show himself to be the better alternative for the championship favorites moving forward.
Digne’s addition at left-back over Lucas Hernandez was a welcome increase and he put in some excellent crosses moving forward while the problems appear to lie across the opposite side of their rear line where Varane and Pavard fought together.
Slight alterations in the back may not make the gap against the Portuguese following week but an alteration in the midfield could enable France to finally tap into their attacking possible after missing their chance .
Hungary were not undeserving of the draw, but a tuned-in French side could have won that and been famous for some of the excellent play they produced in the first half before things started to get worried following Fiola’s goal.
Regardless of other effects from the group, Deschamps’ men should continue to be able to finish high in group F despite this unexpected — albeit maybe not deadly — hiccup.
