World Cup qualifier: France’s winless run stretches to five games after Ukraine draw
Playing all these matches in a row is tricky and very demanding, says coach Deschamps
Kiev: France’s winless streak stretched to five games as Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ukraine in their World Cup qualifier in Group D last night.
The world champions fell behind when Mykola Shaparenko found the back of the net after 44 minutes before Anthony Martial restored parity early in the second half.
France still top the group on nine points from five games after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Wednesday and three days before hosting second-placed Finland, who beat Kazakhstan 1-0.
Games in hand
Ukraine are third behind the Finns, who also have five points but have two games in hand, with Bosnia and Kazakhstan both on two points.
“It was much better in the second half and we have regrets in the first as we conceded the goal just after missing a chance,” said coach Didier Deschamps.
“Playing all these matches in a row is tricky and very demanding but I’m not looking for excuses.”
Martial, who scored his second international goal and his first since September 2016, said: “It was a tough game for us today but at least we managed to equalise in a very important game.” Kingsley Coman deputised in attack for Kylian Mbappe, who left the squad with calf pain, while Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane were on the bench and replaced in the starting lineup by Anthony Martial and Kurt Zouma.
France got off to a lively start but struggled to find a way past the hosts’ five-man defence and they lacked inspiration throughout.
Antoine Griezmann had a first attempt on 27 minutes but it was Ukraine who had the first clear chance through Andriy Yarmolenko, whose strike forced Hugo Lloris into a superb save in the 35th.
Top corner
Martial also had an opportunity just before the break, but Shaparenko opened the scoring on the counter attack with a splendid curled shot into the top corner.
Martial, however, levelled five minutes into the second half from close range after Coman’s cross was deflected by Adrien Rabiot’s header and bounced off a Ukraine defender.
In the 63th minute, Moussa Diaby replaced Coman and Benzema came on for Martial.
Both substitutes combined nicely in the box with 15 minutes left, but Diaby’s shot hit keeper Andriy Pyatov’s right-hand post.
The visitors, who looked shaky against Ukraine’s quick counter attacks, had another chance in the 85th minute when Rabiot’s fierce, low 25-metre shot was saved by Pyatov.