Ousmane Dembele scored the opening goal as the holders claimed their first win in their campaign to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by beating Kazakhstan 2–0 on Sunday. Sergei Mali set his net for France’s second goal just before half-time, but Kian Maleppé saved the second half penalty after coming off the bench.
This was the welcome result of becoming a world winner after being eliminated from their campaign to qualify for Group D at home to Ukraine 1–1 at home last Wednesday.
“We already said it was about getting the job done and it’s a positive result against a team that never gave up,” Paul Pogba told broadcaster TF1.
“People may have thought that Kazakhstan would let us score five goals but no, they played well. We had opportunities to score more goals but their goalkeeper played well. We got the result and we can be happy.”
Didier Deschamps’ side now square off in Sarajevo on Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina to complete a busy start to qualification before focusing their attention on the delayed Euro 2020 in June.
In an effort to keep their squad fresh, Deschamps made nine changes to their line-up following the Ukraine draw for the match at East Noor-Sultan, over 5,000 kilometers east of Paris in Central Asia.
Antoine Griezmann, who scored France’s goal against Ukraine, was the only outfield player to retain his place, while Hugo Lloris began to score again as he won his 122nd cap.
Griezmann’s Barcelona teammate Dembele was one of those who were introduced to France in a competitive game for the first time since the victorious 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia.
It was Dembele who had success in the 20th minute, controlled the edge of the box and scored with a low drive into the corner of the net after a good work by Anthony Marshall.
Deschamps said of Deschal, “He always had the technical ability and scored a great goal.”
“There are always things he can do better. He can still be more decisive, but when he plays like he did today he is good to watch.”
France scored their second goal a minute before half-time when defender Mali put Griezmann Corner in his own net as he tried to catch Pogba.
This effectively eliminated any doubt about the outcome of the competition with Kazakhstan, finishing 122nd in the world and failing to win a single game in the 2018 World Cup qualifying, making any chance at the other end Was struggling for
Manchester United forward Marshall knocked and was eventually replaced just before the hour mark by Mbappe, who had several chances to add to France’s lead.
Promoted
The best chance for the Paris Saint-Germain star came from the spot in the 75th minute when he was brought in by Nureli Ali.
However, Mbappe’s kick around the post was replaced by home goalkeeper Alexander Mokin.
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