27 March 2015
A Kingsley Coman double got France’s European Championship Elite Round qualification group stage off to a flying start with yesterday evening’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Following a goalless first half, the Bianconeri forward lit up Saint-Lo’s Stade Louis Villemer with goals on 61 and 90 minutes, earning warm applause from the crowd when he was substituted in the dying seconds.
The result places France joint top of Group 7 with England, who won 3-2 against Denmark. Les Bleuets qualification quest will resume on Monday night, when the Danes visit the Stade du Hazé.
Over in Paris, Coman’s fellow countryman Patrice Evra played 90 minutes for Didier Deschamps’ senior side, who dipped 3-1 against Brazil.
The hosts enjoyed a perfect start as Raphael Varane headed them in front on 21 minutes. But a Brazil revival, spearheaded by Oscar, Neymar and Luiz Gustavo, saw them turn the tables to emerge victorious by a 3-1 scoreline.
France’s next appointment sees them welcome Denmark to Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for another friendly on Sunday.
In Austria, Arturo Vidal’s Chile saw their Copa America preparations dealt a blow with a 2-0 defeat to Iran. The midfielder remained an unused substitute, while Mauricio Isla, on loan at Queens Park Rangers, appeared for the final half an hour.
La Roja will now make their way to London, where they face Brazil in an intriguing exhibition match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
