France national team don show say dem dey ready for 2026 World Cup as dem beat Brazil 2-1 for international friendly match wey hold for Gillette Stadium for Foxborough, Massachusetts. The match wey plenty fans watch with keen eye see France dominate Brazil even when dem play with 10 men for second half.
Kylian Mbappe open scoring for France for 32nd minute with brilliant chip shot after Ousmane Dembele pass put am through. The goal bring Mbappe closer to France all-time scoring record as e dey just one goal away. First half end with France leading 1-0 as Brazil attackers like Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli no fit break France defense wey Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano anchor well.
Second half start with drama as Dayot Upamecano get red card for France after VAR review show say e deny clear goal scoring opportunity. Referee Guido Gonzales Jr. from USA change yellow card to red card for 55th minute, make France play with 10 men for remaining 35 minutes.
But France no shake as dem double their lead just 10 minutes later. Michael Olise break through Brazil high press and pass ball to Hugo Ekitike wey finish well past goalkeeper Ederson for 65th minute. The goal show France counter-attacking power even with man disadvantage.
Brazil finally score consolation goal for 78th minute when Bremer poke ball over line after free-kick scramble. Juventus defender Bremer get e first international goal for Brazil but e no enough to change result. Brazil get chance to equalize for added time when Vinicius Junior miss clear opportunity from Bremer cross.
Match statistics show France control game with 54% possession and 7 shots with 3 on target compared to Brazil 17 shots with only 4 on target. France coach Didier Deschamps use 4-4-2 formation with Mbappe and Dembele as strikers while Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti try 4-2-3-1 system.
Brazil miss Neymar for this match as e no dey for March international window squad. Other absent players include Marquinhos with hip pain and Gabriel with injury. France also miss William Saliba wey withdraw from squad make Konate partner Upamecano for central defense.
The friendly match dey part of “Road to 26” series wey lead to 2026 FIFA World Cup wey go hold for USA, Canada and Mexico. Both teams dey among favorites to win tournament this summer. France go face Colombia for another friendly for March 29 while Brazil go play Croatia for March 31.
For World Cup group stage, Brazil go face Morocco for MetLife Stadium for June 13 while France go play Senegal for same stadium for June 16. The match for Gillette Stadium mark Brazil sixth appearance for the venue and France first time to play there.
Kylian Mbappe talk before match say e happy for opportunity to experience American culture and e believe Neymar still fit play for World Cup. France coach Didier Deschamps get e first win against Brazil as coach after two previous losses for 2013 and 2015.
Brazil performance raise questions about dem readiness for World Cup as dem struggle to create clear chances against organized France defense. Carlo Ancelotti need to work on team attacking coordination before tournament begin. France show strong team spirit and tactical discipline wey make dem overcome red card setback.
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