Kylian Mbappe was the star man as world champions France secured their spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a thumping 8-0 win over Kazakhstan.
World champions France booked their ticket to the finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a thumping 8-0 win over Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes on Saturday night.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe was the star of the night and put on a show for the ages. The 22-year-old scored four times and also grabbed himself an assist on the night.
It took Mbappe just 30 minutes to finish his treble and guarantee France’s participation in next year’s showpiece event. Les Belus, however, did not let off and piled on more misery on their unfortunate visitors.
Karim Benzema, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann also got in on the act, getting their names to the scoreboard. Didier Deschamps’s side have shown themselves to have a soft underbelly in recent times. Little of that was on display in the French capital, admittedly against lowly opponents.
Les Bleus officially qualified for the 2022 World Cup! ?? #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/Ycrs5gkxar
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 13, 2021
The 8-0 hammering also happens to be Kazakhstan’s heaviest defeat as an independent nation. It could have been so much worse had France taken their other chances. The Hard Tackle now takes a look at how the French players performed on the night.
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
The veteran might not have had the completely quiet night he wished for and was tested by the visitors on several occasions. He held his position well and ensured the clean sheet was achieved. His excellent awareness set France off on their way to the second goal.
Jules Kounde: 7/10
The Sevilla star was not particularly troubled on the night and was up to the task when called upon. Kounde could have and should have scored on the night but missed a golden opportunity.
Dayot Upamecano: 4/10
It takes an especially poor performance to be classified as inferior in an 8-0 win for your side, and Upamecano did just that. The Bayern Munich star looked surprisingly out of his depth and almost gifted a goal to Kazakhstan.
Lucas Hernandez: 7/10
The left-sided defender did his job and was alert whenever Kazakhstan threatened. Solid and reliable, he was on hand to deal with any crisis when needed.
Kingsley Coman: 9/10
Kingsley Coman’s game by numbers vs. Kazakhstan:
85 touches
9 crosses
7 duels won
6 successful take-ons
3 chances created
3 shots
2 big chances created
2 assistsEnjoyed his new wing-back role. ? pic.twitter.com/gooG8L0K7j
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 13, 2021
The Bayern Munich star was a constant menace for the Kazakhstani defence and he had them on the ropes the whole night. If there was ever an excellent attacking performance that lacked a goal, this was it. He looked unplayable at times and at the forefront of a scintillating attacking display by the world champions.
N’Golo Kante: 6/10
The Chelsea star looked a little rusty at times but recovered well to do his job well. His positioning was on point, and it ensured he was on hand when sweeping up was needed. Not his best game, but given the opposition, it was enough.
Adrien Rabiot: 6/10
The Juventus man returned to the stadium where he came through the ranks while at PSG. He grabbed himself a goal on the night and was largely tidy with the ball. A promising outing for a midfielder who has at times gone missing when needed.
Theo Hernandez: 9/10
Theo Hernandez was sensational on the left flank and constantly had the Kazakhstani defence on the back foot. It is a testament to Coman’s performance on the night that Hernandez’s outing largely gets swept under the rug.
Antoine Griezmann: 7/10
The Atletico Madrid ace started the game in a free role in the centre and was not afraid to do the hard work when needed. Griezmann took his goal well and was involved in numerous forward forays.
However, he was the least impressive of France’s midfield attackers as Theo Hernandez and Coman put up a performance that lit up the French capital. That is saying something, given that Griezmann created five chances on the night, more than any other player on the pitch. His goal on the night also took him past Michel Pla`tini in the French all-time goalscorers list.
Kylian Mbappe: 10/10
Kylian Mbappe is the first player to score 4 goals in a game for France in 63 years ? pic.twitter.com/UbG2uuyzzP
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2021
The 22-year-old might have had a slow start to the season, but he showed exactly what he can do on the night. It would have taken something special to eclipse the performances by Coman and Theo Hernandez. Mbappe did just that.
Four goals in an international match is a rare feat, and the Frenchman has now added his name in the history books. Nigh on unplayable at times, Mbappe also grabbed himself an assist to round off what can only be classified as the perfect performance.
Karim Benzema: 8/10
Benzema barely had to get out of first gear, yet scored twice on the night. The veteran striker played a largely supporting role to Mbappe but was alert and ready for the ball when called upon. A rather quiet yet solid display.
SUBSTITUTES
Aurelien Tchouameni: 7/10
Tchouameni came on for Kante and barely missed a beat. The youngster continues to show off his credentials as the veteran midfielder’s successor. The AS Monaco star appears to have a bright future in the game. While he did not particularly stand out on the night, his performance off the bench had a calming influence in Les Bleus’ midfield.
Moussa Diaby: 7/10
The striker replaced Benzema in the 71st minute and can count himself unlucky for not getting onto the scoresheet. He did well otherwise and put in the hard work where needed.
Benjamin Pavard: 6/10
Pavard replaced Coman in the 79th minute. While the Frenchman did not come close to emulating his Bayern Munich teammate’s performance, he offered stability and assuredness on the flank.
Clement Lenglet: N/A
Lenglet replaced Lucas Hernandez and had little to do against a Kazakh side more focussed on damage limitation.
Wissam Ben Yeddar: N/A
Ben Yedder was a late substitute for Mbappe, who went off to a standing ovation.
