France grind past Turkiye’s low block to win 2-1

France beat Turkiye 2-1 in the Nations League on Sunday, breaking down a stubborn low block through sustained pressure at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux.

According to GOAL, Sergen Yalcin’s side adopted a “bend but don’t break” approach, sitting in a 5-4-1 shape to deny Kylian Mbappe space in behind. The plan held until the 49th minute, when Emirhan Topcu turned the ball into his own net under pressure from France’s wide overloads.

Zinedine Zidane’s side, who had 56 per cent possession and 22 shots, doubled their lead in the 80th minute through substitute Eli Junior Kroupi, set up by Rayan Cherki. Kroupi and Eduardo Camavinga had been introduced in the 63rd minute, replacing Bradley Barcola and Adrien Rabiot.

Turkiye switched to a 4-3-3 with three changes in the 81st minute, and Abdulkerim Bardakci scored a 90th-minute consolation from an Arda Guler assist.