PLAYER RATINGS | France 2-1 Turkiye: Eli Junior Kroupi nets first international goal as Les Bleus top Nations League group

PLAYER RATINGS | France 2-1 Turkiye: Eli Junior Kroupi nets first international goal as Les Bleus top Nations League group UEFA Nations League, Matchday 6, 15/11/26 France returned to winning ways and ensured that they finished top of their UEFA Nations League group (2-1), despite another unconvincing display from Zinédine Zidane’s men. The Match It was Lille OSC’s Berke Ozer who frustrated the hosts in the first half. Adrien Rabiot stung the goalkeeper’s gloves with a long-range effort and it was the start of a long night for the goalkeeper, heavily solicited. He came out on top in a one-on-one duel with Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola, who attempted the lob. Ozer was smart to it, standing tall and making a simple save. Kylian Mbappé, returning to the starting XI having missed the loss to Italy, then forced the Lille goalkeeper into another big save, this time with his feet. The captain would beat Ozer later in the half, only for the offside flag to come to Turkiye’s rescue on that occasion. But the visitors posed a threat of their own, exploiting a backline that was unfamiliar with itself and a midfield that was too easily bypassed. Ismael Yuksek got in between and then behind Andy Diouf and Ibrahima Konaté, but could not beat Mike Maignan, who was certainly second-favourite in his duel. Les Bleus were dependent upon a moment of fortune to take the lead. A corner was flicked on at the near post by Adrien Rabiot. Barcola and Jérémy Jacquet were both close to getting to it, but Emirhan Topcu got the decisive touch, putting it into his own net. Arda Guler thought that he had equalised just seconds later, only for an offside in build-up to rule out the Real Madrid forward’s half-volley. From there, France settled somewhat, even if Guler continued to threaten and run Ibrahima Konaté ragged. Ozer continued to frustrate Mbappé, making another stunning save with his feet, but the Lille goalkeeper should have done better with an effort for Eli Junior Kroupi. The AFC Bournemouth looked for the far corner with his curled effort, but put it right at but under Ozer. A first goal in Bleu for the former FC Lorient man. There was a late scare for Zidane’s side when Abdulkerim Bardakci popped up inexplicably completely unmarked in the box from a corner to set up a nervy finish, but a return to winning ways was ensured and 2026 ends on a positive note for the new manager and his squad. France player ratings Mike Maignan – 5 Replaced by Guillame Restes (5) at half-time. Andy Diouf – 6 Ibrahima Konaté – 3 Dayot Upamecano’s withdrawal from the squad for personal reasons gave Konaté a chance to earn his spot in this France side. It wasn’t that long ago that he was a first-choice pick, but the performances of William Saliba and Upamecano have created a hierarchy. Konaté will remain a second-string option. His mistake gifted Turkiye the corner from which they scored. That wasn’t his only error and a failure to pick and track his man was a theme throughout his night. Jérémy Jacquet – 5 Sael Kumbedi – 4 Zidane is reeling off the options at right-back. Kumbedi was always an outside candidate, given that he plays his football in Germany’s second tier, and he did little to further his argument for another call-up. He struggled to be effective in the final third and, whilst not over-exposed, wasn’t thoroughly convincing defensively either. Adrien Rabiot – 5 Lucas Da Cunha – 6 His continued selection elicits questions about this France squad and what they are looking to achieve and how they are looking to achieve it. His deployment in the No.6 role over Aurélien Tchouaméni shows that Zidane prioritises technical ability over physicality in this position. On the ball, Da Cunha was excellent, even if there are weaknesses off the ball that remain evident. Rayan Cherki – 5 Bradley Barcola – 4 A familiar story for the Liverpool man. There was plenty of willingness and good running from the winger, but a lack of end product. It wasn’t only execution but also decision-making when he popped up in dangerous areas in the final third. Kylian Mbappé – 5 On another night, Mbappé would have had a hat-trick. Back in the side and back through the middle, the Real Madrid forward procured plenty of chances, but there was always an offside flag, an Ozer limb or an outstretched leg from a Turkiye defender to deny him. Michael Olise – 5 GFFN | Luke Entwistle