France (National Football)

World champions France suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Turkey in UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifying on Saturday.

Kaan Ayhan took advantage of some poor marking from the French defence to head the hosts into the lead after 30 minutes, and then Cengiz Under doubled Turkey's lead with a low strike 10 minutes later.

France boss Didier Deschamps responded by sending on Ferland Mendy and Kingsley Coman at half-time, but the visitors continued to struggle.

Turkey still looked the more threatening side, with France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saving from Kenan Karaman, Burak Yilmaz and Mahmut Tekdemir to prevent the hosts from extending their lead further.

     

Deschamps Must Call Up Laporte To Fix France's Defence

France were poor all over the pitch on Saturday, but their defence in particular was vulnerable throughout the match.

Centre-backs Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti were both caught out of position for the opening goal, allowing an unmarked Ayhan to head past Lloris.

Under then doubled Turkey's lead after some more sloppy defending from the world champions. Football writer Alex Truica was critical of Umtiti's part in the goal:

What a mistake by Umtiti that leads to Turkey scoring the 2nd goal.

— Alex Truica (@AlexTruica) June 8, 2019

The Barcelona defender also picked up a yellow card after clattering into Burak Yilmaz in a challenge that angered the Turkish players.

Umtiti has endured a difficult season with Barcelona after missing 28 games in total with knee injuries. He returned to fitness at the end of the season but lost his place in the Barcelona starting XI to Clement Lenglet, making just 15 total appearances across the season.

Deschamps has preferred Umtiti to Lenglet for France's games against Bolivia and now Turkey, but he could now decide to make changes for Tuesday's game against Andorra.

Meanwhile, Varane produced an error-strewn performance that could have led to more Turkey goals:

Lloris with two excellent saves in quick succession to prevent it going 3-0. The first after another Varane mistake. This is so bad it's surreal. The whole team playing like they don't care.

— Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) June 8, 2019

Both centre-backs' performances made manager Didier Deschamps' decision to overlook Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte once again even more baffling.

Football writer David Cartlidge explained why Laporte is not in the France squad:

Deschamps will only ever pick two left-footers & two right-footers at centre back in any squad. Lenglet and Umtiti currently occupy both left slots.

Secondly, Laporte's attitude at youth level and from Deschamps sources has been questioned. Seen as arrogant, impersonal.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) May 22, 2019

Yet Saturday's performance showed that it is time for Deschamps to bring Laporte back into the squad to fix his team's defensive shortcomings.

The 25-year-old is a commanding presence in the heart of defence, excellent in possession and would bring the authority that was sorely missed against Turkey.

The centre-back has become a key player for Manchester City since joining from Athletic Bilbao and played a major role in their Premier League title win this season, as highlighted by Opta:

https://twitter.com/OptaSuit/status/1118462930687651840

Laporte is arguably France's best centre-back, and Deschamps' continued refusal to call him up is hurting his team.

         

What's Next?

France continue their qualifying campaign away at Andorra on Tuesday, while Turkey are also in qualifying action against Iceland in Reykjavik.

         

France manager Didier Deschamps has played down Kylian Mbappe's injury after the Paris Saint-Germain star had to be substituted in Les Bleus' 2-0 friendly win over Bolivia on Sunday. 

Mbappe was replaced at half-time by Wissam Ben Yedder as France prevailed over Bolivia thanks to first-half goals from Thomas Lemar and Antoine Griezmann.

Their next fixture is a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Turkey on Saturday, which is followed three days later by another Group H clash against Andorra.

Per Dejan Kalinic of Goal, Deschamps said Mbappe should be fit again for the weekend:

"It's nothing serious. It's just ankle foot pain after a touch. There was no risk to take. He should go [for the next match]."

Two matches into qualifying for Euro 2020, France and Turkey are the only Group H teams with 100 per cent records having both claimed two victories.

Deschamps' side top the pool—which also includes Albania, Iceland and Moldova—on goal difference, and they will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and Turkey with a win on Saturday.

It will not be an easy match away at the Konya Buyuksehir Stadium, though, and Mbappe could have a key role to play.

The 20-year-old enjoyed his most prolific club season to date on an individual level in 2018-19 as he netted 33 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances and won the Player of the Year award.

Mbappe has been one of France's most effective goalscorers since making his senior international debut in March 2017:

France top scorers since 1st January 2017:

1 | Antoine Griezmann - 15
2 | Olivier Giroud - 14
3 | Kylian Mbappé - 12
4 | Samuel Umtiti & Thomas Lemar - 4

(SdF)

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 2, 2019

He starred for Les Bleus as they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup last summer, netting four goals in the tournament and winning the Best Young Player Award.

Even at such a young age, Mbappe is already a key player for both club and country, and it is a boon for France that he looks set to be fit for Saturday's visit to Turkey. 

France play their first home match in 2020 UEFA European Championship qualifying against Iceland on Monday.

Both nations got off to perfect starts in Group H. The world champions defeated Moldova 4-1 and Iceland beat Andorra 2-0.

France manager Didier Deschamps is likely to leave out Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman in Paris.

The coach told RMC Sport he does not want risk the forward after the 22-year-old withdrew from the starting XI during the warm up in Moldova on Friday (h/t Goal's Stephen Creek).

                                

Date: Monday, March 25 

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET

TV Info: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); ESPN, Univision (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK); WatchESPN, Univision NOW (U.S.)

Odds: France: 1-5, Iceland: 18-1, draw: 6-1 (via Oddschecker)

                    

Preview

After a disappointing UEFA Nations League performance, France got back to business in style in their effort to reach Euro 2020.

Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe were on the scoresheet as France despatched Moldova with a clinical display.

Paul Pogba pulled the strings in the centre of the park and provided Griezmann with a world-class assist, as Sky Sports Football shared:

😍 - Oh, Paul Pogba.

What an assist for the @ManUtd midfielder as Griezmann slams it in from close range! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/rNcQZr74Sh

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 22, 2019

Expectations were relatively high for Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, the Nordic nation failed to win a match and finished bottom of Group D.

Iceland had blossomed into one of international football's success stories, becoming the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup. The sparsely populated island continues to attempt to punch above its weight despite their showing in Russia, mitigated somewhat by being drawn in the tournament's group of death alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Croatia.

With the top two advancing from the group to Euro 2020, Iceland will have one eye on Turkey's results, and collecting points in Paris would go a long way to their qualification goal.

However, France appear formidable. Their star contingent is showing the type of form that landed them the World Cup.

The atmosphere in Deschamps' camp appears buoyant, with Pogba and Griezmann buying their international team-mates rings to celebrate their success in Russia.

The Manchester United superstar showed off the ring via his official Instagram account (h/t MailOnline Sport):

Paul Pogba shows off the Superbowl-style ring he and Antoine Griezmann bought France team-mates to commemorate World Cup victory https://t.co/znoQ2wJUbv pic.twitter.com/vwkV0uVHyq

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) March 21, 2019

Iceland were unlucky not to beat the French during a friendly in Guingamp in October. A last-minute penalty by Mbappe gave France a 2-2 draw, and if this is replicated at the Stade de France, the visitors will be happy to take away a point.

Iceland were 2-0 up with just four minutes to play in that friendly, proving they have the quality to cause problems for the world champions.

However, Erik Hamren's team have won just one of their past six games in all competitions, conceding nine goals. Les Bleus' potency in attacking areas will be a huge problem for the away side.

It has been almost nine months since France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but one couple has been banned from saluting two of the heroes from the team, Antoine Griezmann or Kylian Mbappe, by naming their child "Griezmann Mbappe."

Radio station France Bleu Limousin (h/t Le Parisien) reported on Friday that a judge had ruled against the couple's name choice:

Parents in France won’t be officially allowed to name their child ‘Griezmann Mbappe’ 👶🙃 pic.twitter.com/YMzXpR4luk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 16, 2019

In French law, authorities are able to rule against names "contrary to the interest of the child," per BBC Sport.

The child was born November on 30 in Brive.

Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann and Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe played a key role in firing Les Bleus to the World Cup, 20 years on from their victory on home soil in 1998.

The pair each scored four goals at the tournament, including a goal apiece in the final against Croatia.

Griezmann restored France's lead from the penalty spot after Ivan Perisic had cancelled out Mario Mandzukic's own goal, sparking jubilant scenes in Paris:

The scenes in Paris when Antoine Griezmann converted his penalty 🔥 pic.twitter.com/opMFz7JA8Z

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 15, 2018

After Paul Pogba added a third for France, Mbappe all but cemented the trophy for them with a goal of his own:

When a dream becomes a reality.

Take a bow, @KMbappe!

📺 Highlights 👉 https://t.co/LOdKDX2Cwn @FrenchTeam // @equipedefrance // #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yzFrRXR6VE

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

In light of the ruling, it seems any French parents hoping to pay tribute to the duo will have to settle for using "Antoine" or "Kylian."

Karim Benzema holds no grudges against France's selectors despite his four-year exodus from the squad, wishing the team the best and saying he won't drive himself "crazy" over regaining his place.

The Real Madrid striker hasn't played for France since his alleged participation in the sex-tape blackmail scandal involving international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema, 31, appeared on Telefoot (h/t AFP, via AS) and was serene over his absence.

He said: "I'm not going to drive myself crazy waiting for a call from the national team. Besides, the France team is now something else: They are champions of the world, there is a new generation, young players, and they are very good. I only wish them the best."

Benzema is on course to challenge for his best scoring season at Real after almost 10 years at the club, having netted 19 times in 39 appearances—his career-best campaign was the 32 goals scored in 2011-12.

The most recent of those strikes came when he scored the opener in Real's 2-1 first-leg victory at Ajax in the UEFA Champions League last 16:

👏 That assist.
🎯 That finish.@vini11Oficial 🔗 @Benzema #RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/wFMKZEfxt3

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 16, 2019

The former Lyon striker is right in that France haven't suffered since he left the squad, finishing as runners-up to Portugal at Euro 2016 before winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in some style.

Benzema, meanwhile, has also enjoyed elevated success at club level and gone from winning four major titles in his first six years with Real to winning four in the past three seasons (2015-18). That haul included Real becoming the first team to win three successive Champions League crowns.

His goal at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands also boosted him into the upper echelon of all-time Champions League scorers, per Goal:

Top four all-time Champions League scorers 🏆

🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo - 121

🇦🇷 Lionel Messi - 106

🇪🇸 Raul - 71

🇫🇷 Karim Benzema - 60

Congrats @Benzema on becoming the fourth player in the 60-goal club 👏 pic.twitter.com/jSvE2dKXmI

— GOAL (@goal) February 13, 2019

While Benzema may be content out of the France setup, French football podcaster Rich Allen noted the forward wasn't always well-regarded for his work rate in national team colours:

A good work rate and giving everything was precisely what Benzema lacked when playing for France.

— Rich Allen 🔴⚫ (@rich_allen85) October 11, 2018

France coach Didier Deschamps—who has served in the role since 2012—indicated to French radio in January (h/t Agustin Martin of AS) he wasn't ready to forgive Benzema for his role in the Valbuena scandal. After being left out of the France squad, Benzema suggested Deschamps was bowing to "a racist part of France."

Benzema's overall record for Los Blancos stands at 211 goals in 451 appearances. ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan detailed his ratio in Spain's top flight before Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Girona:

300th La Liga game for Benzema today - first 299 brought 137 goals and 83 assists. Just five yellow cards and zero reds.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 17, 2019

By the time Euro 2020 comes around, Real's hitman will be 32 and possibly hoping to prioritise the final year of his contract, which is set to expire in June 2021.

Neither Benzema nor Deschamps seem inclined to reunite in the near future, and there seems little reason to alter that course as both continue to succeed without one another.