France dropped points yet again in the World Cup qualifiers, as they have drawn against Ukraine 1-1, away from home, last night.
The World champions have now drawn three matches from their first five games.
They also dropped points away from home against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the reverse fixture against Ukraine at home, earlier in the year.
However, France still leads the group with nine points to their name and holds a four-point lead over its nearest rival, Finland. Although, Finland has played two fewer games than France.
France drop points yet again
France had a slow start to the game, although they had the most of the ball. Ukraine missed a guilt-edge chance in the 35th minute of the game. The chance was created after a well-worked corner kick. Winger Yarmolenko struck a wonderful shot towards the French goal. France captain, Hugo Lloris came up with a good save to deny the Ukraine winger. However, Lloris’s save rebounded on Kurt Zouma and landed neatly for the Ukrainian center-back Zabarnyi, which he blazed over the cross-bar.
In the 44th minute, Pogba played striker Martial in behind the Ukrainian defense with a through ball. However, the Manchester United forward failed to convert the one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper. On the other end, in the following minute, the Ukrainian #10 Shaparenko scored a superb goal from just outside France’s goal area. Ukraine led the game with one goal going into the first half break.
France pulled one back to level the game in the 50th minute. Coman’s cross into the box created a mix-up, and the following rebound fell kindly for Martial. The Manchester United forward hit straight at the Ukrainian Keeper Pyatov. The ball deflected off the goalkeeper and crossed the line.
Meanwhile, substitute Diaby missed an open chance late in the game after fellow substitute Benzema played a neat lay-off for the French winger.
France did not have their talismanic youngster Kylian Mbappe for this game. The PSG forward was ruled out after he suffered a calf injury against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Les Bleus next play Finland on the 8th of September.
