In a friendly match on Sunday, France and Canada settled for a 0-0 draw as both teams concluded their preparations for Euro 2024 and the Copa America, respectively. The encounter, held at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, served as a final tune-up before the upcoming major tournaments.
France, entering the match with a convincing 3-0 victory over Luxembourg just days earlier, was eager to maintain momentum. Early in the first half, the French team created several promising opportunities. Midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante and forward Marcus Thuram both came close to breaking the deadlock, only to be thwarted by Canada’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who delivered a stellar performance.
One of the match’s most significant moments was the final home appearance of France’s forward and record scorer, Olivier Giroud. The veteran striker, who has announced his international retirement following the European Championship, received a heartfelt standing ovation from the home crowd, acknowledging his contributions to French football.
“We were up against some good opposition with a lot of intensity, and we had a few good chances in the first half. After that it was more difficult,” said France’s manager Didier Deschamps. Despite the draw, Deschamps remains confident about his squad’s prospects in the upcoming tournament.
France, one of the favorites for the Euro 2024 title, will commence their campaign in Germany on Friday. Deschamps emphasized the importance of the friendly matches in ensuring all players got adequate playtime.
“It’s not ideal but it was important for me to spread the play around and get everyone involved in these two friendly games. It wasn’t easy today, and we’re going to make the most of it in terms of what awaits us on June 17,” he added.
France’s tournament journey begins with a match against Austria, followed by challenging fixtures against the Netherlands on June 21 and Poland on June 25. The French squad, brimming with talent and experience, is poised to make a strong showing.
On the other side, Canada’s preparation for the Copa America under their new coach Jesse Marsch also looks promising despite the goalless draw. The Canadian team showed defensive solidity, boding well for their tough group stage fixtures. Canada’s Copa America journey kicks off against a formidable opponent, Lionel Messi’s Argentina, on June 20. They will then face Peru on June 25 and Chile on June 29.
Sunday’s match provided both teams with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and player combinations ahead of the competitive action. While the lack of goals may not have thrilled the spectators, the performance offered both coaches crucial insights into their squads’ readiness.
