The Inter defender defeated the Scots 4-1 with an improbable brace as Didier Deschamps’ men came from behind.

France defeated Scotland on Tuesday night in Lille, having to come from behind before winning 4-1 comfortably.

Billy Gilmour gave the Scots a surprising lead, but Eduardo Camavinga’s inexplicable throw to his opponent in the six-yard box gave him the opportunity to fire under no pressure proved to be the masters of their own demise.

However, Benjamin Pavard leveled the score with an incredible header at the front post following a curving corner by Antoine Griezmann. After a deft ball from Kylian Mbappe on the left flank, the defender added an improbable second goal with another bold header. Then, Mbappe got on the scoresheet himself, scoring from the penalty spot after Liam Cooper had fouled Olivier Giroud nearby.

In the second half, France dominated proceedings once more, and substitute Kingsley Coman added a fourth with a vicious volley after Griezmann hit the bar from close range.

GOAL rates France’s players from Stade Pierre-Mauroy…

Getty

Goalkeeper & Defence

Mike Maignan (6/10):

Had no chance with Gilmour’s goal. Always had full command of his area and made a good save from Armstrong late on to keep the score at 4-1.

Jonathan Clauss (5/10):

His distribution left something to be desired but he was solid enough defensively down the right flank, even if he was never really tested.

Benjamin Pavard (8/10):

Scored an excellent header to level proceedings and then scored the second, heading in Mbappe’s clever cross. Sprayed the ball around from centre-back too in a virtuoso performance.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Comfortable and composed at centre-back, dealing with Scotland’s aerial threat with little fuss.

Theo Hernandez (6/10):

Got up and down the left flank and was never in any danger. A solid outing.

Midfield

Antoine Griezmann (7/10):

Superb delivery from a corner to allow Pavard to level things up. Hit the bar before Coman’s goal. An orchestrator’s performance, keeping the ball moving. Subbed late on.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

A superb range of passing, and was always open to receive the ball. Never really pressed, but did what he needed to do efficiently.

Eduardo Camavinga (4/10):

Made a truly inexplicable error to gift Gilmour his goal, literally passing the ball to his Scotland counterpart in the six-yard box. Steady otherwise, keeping the ball moving, but such mistakes cannot be afforded in competitive fixtures.

Getty

Attack

Ousmane Dembele (5/10):

Some good runs when he had the chance to show his pace but struggled to truly impact the game in the final third. Replaced by Coman in the second half.

Olivier Giroud (7/10):

Won the penalty after Liam Cooper pulled him down in the area. A constant outlet, holding the ball up with supreme confidence, even if he didn’t have many goal-scoring chances himself. Replaced by Marcus Thuram on the hour.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Provided the ball for Pavard’s second goal, then scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-1. Terrified the Scotland defence whenever he had the ball, and while he couldn’t score from open play, this was a bustling, skilful performance.

Subs & Manager

Marcus Thuram (5/10):

On for Giroud. Crashed the ball against the crossbar when sent through by Coman but he probably should have scored.

Kingsley Coman (8/10):

Replaced Dembele. Scored a wonderful goal, firing a vicious volley in off the crossbar after Griezmann missed from close range. Sent Thuram away with a great ball but he could only hit the bar. As good a cameo as you’ll see.

Youssouf Fofana (6/10):

Replaced Griezmann. Always looked to play the ball forward.

Boubacar Kamara (6/10):

On for Tchouameni. Much like the man he replaced, kept the ball moving and didn’t need to do much more.

Randal Kolo Muani (N/A):

On for Mbappe for the final few minutes.

Castello Lukeba (N/A):

Made his debut for France as a late sub.

Didier Deschamps (8/10):

Deschamps got this pretty much spot on; France dominated, he was able to rest some key players given the scoreline, and Les Bleus are starting to look ominous ahead of Euro 2024. A good night’s work.