The War Machine That Is France’s Squad
Endless Possibilities For Deschamps
The 3-1 victory for France over Colombia at Northwest Stadium yesterday, was far more than a routine friendly result. In the clinical world of elite international football, it served as a terrifying demonstration of the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” of squad depth. By dismantling a full-strength Colombian side while fielding an entirely rotated second string, Didier Deschamps didn’t just win a match, he issued a final warning to the rest of the 48-team field ahead of the North American Mundial.
The sheer audacity of Deschamps’ selection cannot be overstated. Just three days after a grueling 2-1 victory over Brazil in Massachusetts, the French manager opted for a complete “11-change pivot.” While most nations struggle to find a reliable backup for their star striker, France swapped their entire starting lineup and still managed to maintain a level of tactical cohesion that felt like a primary unit.
The first half was a showcase for the technical floor of France’s “bench.” Désiré Doué, the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain sensation, took center stage with a brace that underscored his claim for a starting spot this June. His first goal in the 29th minute, a low, swerving drive that took a slight deflection, was the result of a persistent high press that Colombia’s veteran defense simply couldn’t handle.
But it wasn’t just the goals; it was the creative infrastructure. Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche operated with a level of spatial awareness that made Colombia’s midfield look stagnant. Akliouche’s pinpoint cross for Marcus Thuram’s 41st-minute header was a masterclass in modern wing play. For 45 minutes, France controlled 66% of the possession against a team that many expect to be a dark horse in the upcoming tournament.
Colombia arrived in Maryland with their heavy hitters. Néstor Lorenzo fielded a “full-strength” spine featuring Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, and Luis Suárez. On paper, this was a contest between a top-tier South American attack and a makeshift French defense. In reality, it was a collision between individual brilliance and a superior systemic philosophy.
The French backline, led by Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix (making his first international start) and Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu, remained largely impenetrable for the first hour. James Rodríguez, approaching his 124th cap, found his trademark diagonal balls cut out by the athletic positioning of Lucas Digne and Lucas Hernández.
The disconnect for Colombia was physical. Despite their star power, they struggled to match the intensity of France’s transitions. While Jaminton Campaz managed a late consolation goal in the 77th minute, it arrived only after France had already secured a 3-0 lead. The fact that Colombia’s rally coincided with the introduction of Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise off the French bench speaks volumes; even when France “relaxes,” they do so by bringing on the best players in the world to see out the game.
What this match truly highlighted was France’s immunity to the “tournament fatigue” that often derails World Cup campaigns. In a 48-team format spread across three countries, the ability to rotate without a drop in quality is the ultimate competitive advantage.
With N’Golo Kanté captaining the rotated side, France possessed a bridge between the veteran winners of 2018 and the high-ceiling talent of Warren Zaïre-Emery. The stability provided by this “backup” pivot allowed the creative players to take risks that Colombia’s midfielders were too occupied with defending to replicate.
In defense, the fact that William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté sit out while Lacroix and Kalulu turn in “Man of the Match” level performances suggests that France is the only team in the world with five starting-quality center-back pairings.
In attack and attacking midfield is where the wealth in talents is truly outrageous. Mbappe, Dembele, Ekitike, Thuram, Olise, Doue, Cherki, Akliouche, and all in decent to great form, leaving Deschamps with a selection headache that every other international manager would envy.
For France’s opponents, this result is psychologically draining. It forces rival scouts to prepare for two entirely different French tactical setups. How do you prepare for a team that can beat Brazil with its “A-Team” on Thursday and then thrash Colombia with its “B-Team” on Sunday? The depth also removes the “Mbappé-dependency” narrative. While the captain remains the focal point, the performances of Ekitiké, Doué, and Thuram prove that Les Bleus can find goals from every quadrant of the pitch. If France’s bench can handle South America’s elite, their primary lineup is operating in a stratosphere of its own.
As we head into April, the question isn’t whether France has enough talent to win their third star; it’s how Deschamps will manage the inevitable heartbreak of leaving world-class players at home when he finalizes his 26-man roster in May.
For the rest of the world, the message is clear: the most dangerous team in North America this summer might not be the one that starts the match, but the one waiting on the bench.
