MX23RW : Friday, December 13 22:36:16| >> :120:25215:25215:
[monks data]
France national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Brazil national football team

1-3

Varane (21')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Oscar (40'), Neymar (57'), Gustavo (69')

Live Commentary: France 1-3 Brazil - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of the International friendly between France and Brazil at the Stade de France.
2

Brazil came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over France in their friendly international at the Stade de France this evening.

Raphael Varane headed Les Bleus into the lead from a corner, before Oscar levelled for the visitors five minutes before the break.

Brazil took charge in the second half and goals from Neymar and Luiz Gustavo earned them a seventh straight victory since the World Cup.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Hello everyone! We've got a truly mouth-watering game ahead of us in prospect this evening, as two of world football's heavyweights meet in Paris. Will it be France who claim another win on the road to Euro 2016, or can Brazil keep up their recent momentum following last summer's World Cup disappointment?

This is more than just a friendly for the French, as they will not be in competitive action until the European Championships next summer. As the host nation they will be under a huge amount of pressure to emulate the great teams that have come before them, but with some impressive recent victories over Spain, Portugal and Sweden, it seems that they are on the right track.

You can be sure that Brazil will also be taking tonight's match seriously ahead of this summer's Copa America. They have won each of their friendlies since the World Cup, but there is a long way to go for Dunga and his players to truly win back the love of their supporters after their unthinkable collapse against Germany last summer.

Of course this fixture will always have a special place in the history of France, as they won their first World Cup in 1998 at this very stadium by beating Brazil in the final. The brilliant Zinedine Zidane stole the show and he headed in twice before Emmanuel Petit slotted in a late third to subject Brazil to what was their biggest loss at the tournament until last year.



There's plenty more to discuss between now and kick off, but I think it's about time we had a look at the teams who will be lining up in Paris this evening.



TEAMS:

FRANCE XI Mandanda, Evra, Sakho, Varane, Sagna, Matuidi, Schneiderlin, Sissoko, Griezmann, Valbuena, Benzema

BRAZIL XI: Jefferson, Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Luiz Gustavo, Elias, Willian, Oscar, Firmino, Neymar


So, that's how our teams will be starting when the game gets underway in Paris in just under an hour. We'll start by looking at the hosts, who have named Karim Benzema as their captain. The Real Madrid frontman will lead the attack with support coming from Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena.

Moussa Sissoko, Morgan Schneiderlin and Blaise Matuidi will start as a trio in the centre of the midfield. Mamadou Sakho and Raphael Varane are paired together in the heart of the defence with Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna either side of them in the full back slots, while Steve Mandanda takes over in goal from the injured Hugo Lloris.

Meanwhile, Brazil welcome former captain Thiago Silva back into their defence following his recent absence. His PSG teammate David Luiz is missing through injury, so Miranda joins him in the back four. As excepted, Neymar starts up front with the likes of Willian, Oscar and Roberto Firmino supporting him in the attack.

Let's get back to our build up for this evening's match and take a closer look at the home side. Ahead of last year's World Cup the expectations of France succeeding were low and they had only just scraped into the tournament because of a dramatic comeback in the play offs against Ukraine

However, they recorded some positive results in their build up to the competition and once they were in Brazil they hit the ground running with impressive wins over Honduras and Switzerland. By the time they faced Germany in the quarter-finals hopes were high that they could go all the way, but an early goal from Mats Hummels sealed their exit.

Since then they have been able to string together of decent run of results and they are now the second favourites behind Germany to win the Euros next summer. As they are already qualified as hosts of the tournament, there is a worry that their lack of competitive football could hinder them and that certainly proved to be the case for Brazil last year when they came up against world class opposition.

One of the positives of not having to navigate the qualifiers for France, is that they are able to bring in a number of fresh faces. First-time call ups for Kurt Zouma and Nabil Fekir show the amount of quality that they have coming through, while the likes of Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Alexandre Lacazette should play an important part in next year's tournament, having already produced the goods at their clubs.

French defender Raphael Varane celebrates scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Sweden on November 18, 2014© Getty Images


France's opponents this evening need no introduction, but it's fair to say that this last year has not been easy for five-time world champions Brazil. Even those who don't follow football on a weekly basis will have watched last year's World Cup and seen the humiliation that they suffered at the hands of Germany in that shocking 7-1 defeat.

Thiago Silva of Brazil (R) consoles teammate David Luiz after Germany's 7-1 victory during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match on July 8, 2014© Getty Images


Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked as manager following the conclusion of the tournament, with Dunga being reappointed as their head coach a couple of weeks later. He has since guided the team to six consecutive victories, including notable wins over South American rivals Argentina and Colombia.

One of Dunga's major tasks was to restore confidence and pride to a fanatical nation of football lovers and he has chosen to omit a number of players that were in their World Cup squad. Dante, Dani Alves, Julio Cesar and Fred are just some of the more experienced Brazilians to have been left out in recent months, while Thiago Silva and Marcelo have only just come in from the cold.

Neymar actually replaced Thiago Silva as captain and the Barcelona forward has been in great form for his country, notably bagging four goals in a victory over Japan last October. Robinho is also back in the Brazil set up and there is no shortage of talent with Luiz Adriano and Philippe Coutinho among the players looking to seal regular starting berths.

Neymar of Brazil in action during the International Friendly against Panama at Serra Dourada Stadium on June 3, 2014 in Goiania, Brazil© Getty Images


I've already mentioned the 1998 World Cup final and that's not the only memorable meeting between the teams in recent years. Three years after that clash they faced off again in South Korea in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. It was France who would emerge victorious, as goals from Robert Pires and Marcel Desailly either side of a Ramon strike gave them a 2-1 win and days later they would go on to beat Japan in the final.

Another standout clash was in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup, where Brazil headed into the tournament as the defending champions. However, it was France who triumphed once again, with Thierry Henry arriving at the back post to volley in Zidane's free kick to send his country through to the semi-finals. France ended up losing the final on penalties to Italy, after Zidane received one of the most astonishing red cards in the history of the tournament.



France actually remained unbeaten in over 20 years against Brazil until their last meeting in June 2013. The Selecao finally got the better of their old adversaries by romping to a 3-0 win in Porto Alegre courtesy of goals from Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas Moura. It still leaves them trailing in the all-time head to head records between the teams, with their five wins just one less than the six for France.

So, what players can we expect to do the damage this evening? Of course Neymar is the key for the visitors and he has bagged 26 goals for Barcelona this season. He has also scored an astonishing 42 goals in just 60 caps for his country and at the age of just 23, you would strongly back him to one day top the great Pele's record of 92 goals.

France's captain for the evening Benzema has also been in great form this season, firing in 20 goals for Real Madrid. He is still a player that divides opinion between football supporters, but there can be no doubting his quality. We should also expect to see in-form duo Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette at some point tonight, with both players starting on the bench.



PREDICTION: Right, as kick off is fast approaching it's time for a quick prediction! With the quality of players that are out on the pitch we could be in for quite some game this evening. Both teams have produced some good displays recently and the results have also been positive. This is a tough one to call, so I'm going to sit on the fence and go for a 1-1 draw by the end of the night.

Here's the scenes from the Stade de France just a few minutes ago when Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were paraded to the crowd.



We've just heard the national anthems of both nations and now we are just a couple of minutes away from the start of this evening's clash!

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Stade de France!

There hasn't been too much to report in the opening minutes of this game, with the two nations just feeling each other out. It's Brazil who are seeing the majority of the ball, but they are yet to cause any problems for the French defence.

SAVE! France come agonizingly close to taking the lead, when a corner deflects to Benzema at the back post. The forward looks as if he has the simple task of heading into the net, but Jefferson sticks out a hand to make a wonderful save and somehow keeps the ball out.

Brazil are playing some great stuff and they are putting together some flowing team moves, as you would expect from a country of their quality. There is also a lot of space opening up for them when they get forward and they have their first attempt on goal from Firmino, who sees his effort from the edge of the box blocked by Sakho.

The visitors are still on top here and they are looking very comfortable in possession. They still haven't managed to create any clear opportunities in front of goal, with Neymar struggling to get on the ball and dictate the play.

We have seen some crunching tackles already this evening and Filipe Luis is lucky not to be shown a card for a foul on Valbuena. The referee has been rather lenient there, but at the rate things are going, it shouldn't be too long until we see our first booking.

CHANCE! Neymar shows his threat for the first time this evening when he is slipped into the box by Oscar and looks to guide a low effort into the bottom corner, but Mandanda gets down well to push the ball to safety.

GOAL! France 1-0 Brazil (Raphael Varane)

They may have been second best for much of this first half, but it's France who break the deadlock. It comes from a corner, as Valbuena's fine delivery is met by Varane, who thumps a low header out of the reach of Jefferson. That's a second successive goal for the Real Madrid defender, who netted against Sweden last time out.

That goal has really sparked the French crowd into life and they are getting right behind their team. It has also given the players a real boost and they are now seeing plenty of the ball deep into their opponents' half of the pitch.

France have another chance to put the Brazil defence under some pressure after winning another corner. Valbuena takes the set piece once more, but this time the visitors just about manage to clear, although they are looking very unconvincing from these sort of positions.

SHOT! Down the other end of the pitch it's Brazil who work a decent opening, as Firmino is found in space around 25 yards out from goal. The Hoffenheim player then drills in a fierce strike that has plenty of power, but Mandanda gets everything behind it to turn the ball behind.

You can see why France don't concede many goals, as they are closing down Brazil's front men very quickly and giving them little time on the ball. Neymar especially has been pretty quiet in this first half and the Selecao captain is dropping very deep to try and get into the game.

Varane is looking such a threat from set pieces and he is inches away from making good connection with another corner from Valbuena. They have been so dangerous from these areas, but in open play the Brazil defence have rarely been troubled.

GOAL! France 1-1 Brazil (Oscar)

This is what Brazil are all about. They show their class with a team goal of the highest quality. It's Oscar who scores, as he picks up the ball on the left, before driving inside and finding Firmino. He then continues his run into the box and receives the return pass from Firmino, before poking an effort under the legs of Mandanda.

You've got to say that Brazil deserve that goal based on their first half display and they are looking for a second before the break. France did seem to take a firmer grip of the match shortly after they opened the scoring, but the visitors quickly responded and there can be no arguments about the scoreline.

HALF-TIME: France 1-1 Brazil

We've reached half time at the Stade de France and it's all square in this battle of the heavyweights. Raphael Varane's header gave France the lead, but Oscar's finish five minutes before the break has drawn Brazil level. It may have been a slow start, but we could now be set for a great second half in Paris.

Here's how the stats are looking after that first half. Brazil have been well on top in the possession stakes and they have seen 58% of the ball. They have also had more shots on goal than the French, with seven efforts on goal compared to the three attempts that the hosts have mustered.

I have mentioned on a couple of occasions just how good France have been from corners, although Brazil have hardly covered themselves in glory. Their marking has been slack and aside from Varane's goal, Benzema found himself free at the back post, before seeing his header wonderfully saved by the keeper. It seems to be an area that the South Americans have always struggled in and it brings back memories of their defeat against Germany, who destroyed them from set piece situations last summer.

We're just a few moments away from the start of the second half, with the players making their way out onto the pitch. I'm sure that we'll see a few substitutions and I'll be sure to keep you up to date with any changes as they happen.

France take the kick off and get us back underway in Paris!

The hosts have an early chance to put their opponents under pressure from a free kick, which is won by Sissoko following a darting run through the middle. Valbuena steps up to whip the ball in, but this time his delivery is overhit and Jefferson comes out to claim with ease.

SHOT! Brazil threaten for the first time since the break when Luiz Gustavo is found in space by Elias just outside the box. He then looks to drive a low effort into the corner, but Mandanda is across his goal quickly to beat the ball away.

It's all a little bit scrappy at the moment, with neither side taking a firm grip of the match. Brazil are looking slightly more dangerous though and their forward players are getting into some very promising positions deep inside the French half.

GOAL! France 1-2 Brazil (Neymar)

Brazil have come from behind and it's another brilliant move that leads to the goal. Willian does well to drive through the middle and as he reaches the edge of the box, he spots Neymar to his left. He then slides in the Brazil captain, who lashes a powerful strike into the roof of the net for his 43rd international goal.

CHANCE! France have responded well to falling behind and Sissoko has a big chance to level when he is found in space at the back post, but Jefferson is quickly off his line to block the strike. Just moments later Valbuena floats a pass over the defence to Benzema, who then volleys his attempt over the bar.

SAVE! What a goal this would have been from Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid player wriggles past a couple of challenges and finds some space, before firing in a powerful strike. The ball looks as it's heading into the top corner, but Jefferson gets across to make a wonderful save and tips it over the bar.

SHOT! France are piling on the pressure now, but they are leaving themselves open to the counter. This time Neymar leads the charge and he does well to hold the ball up, before finding Oscar. The midfielder then looks to bend a strike into the corner, but the keeper manages to turn the ball behind for a corner.

GOAL! France 1-3 Brazil (Luiz Gustavo)

It's a third goal for Brazil and this time it's France who are punished from a corner. Willian goes across to deliver the set piece and Luiz Gustavo rises unmarked to head an effort into the far corner that leaves Mandanda with no chance.

SAVE! Brazil are completely in charge now and Willian has the chance to score a fourth goal when he bursts into the box. He is at a tight angle, but still decides to go for the shot, which is well saved by Mandanda at his near post.

SUBSTITUTIONS: France are going to make a couple of changes here, with Kondogbia replacing Sissoko and Fekir coming on for his debut in place of Griezmann.

The visitors really have taken this game by the scruff of the neck since the break and they are good value for their lead. At the moment it looks like there are more goals in this for them, with the likes of Neymar finding acres of space to exploit in the French half.

I'm surprised that we've only seen a couple of substitutions this evening and both of those have come from France. It seems that Dunga wants to leave his players out on the pitch for as long as possible to build a connection and he has certainly got a great response from them this evening.

SUBSTITUTION: We do have a change and it's another for France, who bring on Payet in place of Valbuena.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Brazil finally make their first change of the night, with Douglas Costa coming on for Willian. France are also making a sub, as Giroud is on for Matuidi.

SUBSTITUTION: Oscar's night has come to an end, with Souza replacing him for the last few minutes. All these changes have made it hard for the French to gain any momentum as they look for a late fightback.

SHOT! Fekir comes close to grabbing a goal on his debut for France. He is found by Benzema on the edge of the box and looks to bend a low effort into the far corner, but the ball heads a few inches wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION: Shakhtar forward Luiz Adriano comes on for Brazil in place of Firmino.

SUBSTITUTION: It's another late change for the visitors, as Luiz Gustavo replaces Fernandinho.

We are going to have four minutes of stoppage time.

SUBSTITUTION: There's not too much action on the pitch, but Marcelo comes on to make his first appearance since the World Cup.

FULL-TIME: France 1-3 Brazil

It's all over in Paris and Brazil have claimed the win this evening. A fine second half display gives them another victory under Dunga and they really did look impressive at times. However, France will be disappointed that they could not build upon Varane's goal and it will surely give Deschamps plenty to think about as he continues to prepare his side for Euro 2016.

Brazil's forward Neymar strikes on his way to score a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015© Getty Images


That's all we've got time for here after a great night of football in France. We've got lots more live international coverage for you to come over the next few days, so makes sure you stick with us! Until then, goodbye!

ID:213561: cacheID:213561:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:43376:
Written by
Alex Meyers
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Blaise Matuidi of France controls the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria at Estadio Nacional on June 30, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: France vs. Brazil
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Rams
12-6
49ers
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!